COLUMBIA -  A veteran accountant who has served for a decade in the Legislature replaces disgraced South Carolina Treasurer Thomas Ravenel, who resigned following his indictment on a federal cocaine charge.

Lawmakers on Friday elected Republican Rep. Converse Chellis as Ravenel's replacement in the treasurer's office. Ravenel resigned last week, more than a month after his indictment on a charge of possession with intent to distribute less than 500 grams of cocaine. Chellis will serve the more than three years remaining in Ravenel's term.

Chellis, chairman of the House Rules Committee, received a standing ovation from legislators after being sworn in. He immediately got to work as treasurer, being whisked away after hugs and congratulations to sign documents.

The treasurer's duties include sitting on a board that makes investment decisions for the state's $30 billion retirement system, casting votes on the five-member Budget and Control Board -- which oversees billions of dollars in spending and borrowing -- and communicating with credit rating agencies.

"He is the face of this state before Wall Street. It sounds like the perfect position for a CPA," said House Labor, Commerce and Industry Chairman Harry Cato, R-Travelers Rest, in nominating Chellis. He said Chellis, a Citadel graduate, epitomizes The Citadel's code of honor, integrity and service.

Members of the House and Senate cast 122 votes for the Summerville Republican, who has more than 30 years experience in public accounting. Chellis called the landslide victory a humbling experience. Knowing he had the votes, he resigned Thursday from his accounting job at Dixon Hughes. He plans to commute to Columbia from his home on Lake Marion.

"I had unbelievable support from the first day," Chellis said.

Sen. Greg Ryberg, R-Aiken, who finished second in last June's Republican primary for the position, received 24 votes, including his own. Chellis did not vote.

Republican Charleston County Council Chairman Tim Scott, endorsed for the position earlier this week by Gov. Mark Sanford, was not nominated by lawmakers to stand for election.

Republicans and Democrats alike criticized the late endorsement as political posturing. Sen. Gerald Malloy, D-Hartsville, said he's concerned the governor used Scott by touting his race, saying he could become the first black constitutional officer since Reconstruction. Malloy, who is black, noted the governor endorsed Ryberg last year and gave him a second endorsement this week behind Scott. "That's suspect," he said.

Scott said he knew his chances were slim. He did not begin campaigning for the post until late last week, when legislators had already committed their votes. He said getting into a "race going on for six weeks really is just impossible. I'm sure there's a better process to go through."

In a surprise move, Sen. John Courson, R-Columbia, suggested the Legislature adjourn without voting. He said that would give people outside the Legislature an opportunity to campaign. Legislators killed the motion 11-134.

"The race evolved before any candidates outside the General Assembly knew there was a race," said Rep. Chip Limehouse, R-Charleston, who favored delaying the vote. He said could not nominate Scott because he'd already committed to Ryberg.

"I couldn't break my word," Limehouse said. He said Scott got in the race so late, nominating him would have been futile anyway.

Sanford spokesman Joel Sawyer said Scott not being nominated illustrates a closed system that favors insiders. In a statement, Sanford said the vote "makes a mockery of the electoral process and gives South Carolina the appearance of a banana republic."

But Sen. Jake Knotts, R-West Columbia, said it shows how little influence the governor has among fellow Republicans he frequently lambasts. "It sends a message he needs to learn how to play in the sandbox," said Knotts, who briefly considered challenging Sanford last November as a petition candidate.

Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell said the governor should read the state constitution, which requires the General Assembly to fill vacancies in statewide offices. Before adjourning in June, the Legislature passed a resolution allowing them to come back should Ravenel resign or be convicted. Delaying a vote would only cost taxpayers more money, and considering Chellis' victory margin, the outcome would not change, said McConnell, R-Charleston.

"Everybody knew the vacancy was coming," he said.

When Ravenel was elected in November, it was seen as an ideological win for Sanford. The millionaire Charleston developer replaced Democrat Grady Patterson, who voted with legislators on the powerful Budget and Control Board. Ravenel usually sided with Sanford, often giving him the 3-2 majority. Chellis is expected to side with House Ways and Means Chairman Dan Cooper and Senate Finance Chairman Hugh Leatherman.

Before legislators voted Friday, the board's executive director, Henry White, turned in his resignation, effective Aug. 13, a day before the next Budget and Control Board meeting. White is returning to law practice, according to a release from the board.

White, Sanford's former chief of staff, replaced Frank Fusco in January, who resigned under pressure from Sanford and his allies.

"We're at a point now where the General Assembly and the governor needs to stop this back and forth," Limehouse said. "It's time to all get together and lead."

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