Brian J. Gaines

Brian Gaines is an American accountant and politician who currently serves as the Comptroller General of South Carolina. He was appointed by Governor Henry McMaster on May 12, 2023, by recess appointment following the resignation of Richard Eckstrom.[1] He is South Carolina's first Black constitutional officer since the Reconstruction era.[2] He is not affiliated with any political party.[3]

Brian Jerome Gaines
Gaines in 2023
Comptroller General of South Carolina
Assumed office
May 12, 2023
GovernorHenry McMaster
Preceded byRichard Eckstrom
Personal details
BornBarnwell, South Carolina
Political partyIndependent
EducationUniversity of South Carolina, (BA, MPA

Career and education

Gaines graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelors of arts in political science in 2004 and with a masters in public administration in 2006.[4] Upon his graduation, Gaines worked for the state of South Carolina as a human resources consultant and later as a budget research coordinator. Gaines also served as the state's director of policy and public affairs, deputy state budget director, and budget director for the state's Department of Administration.[5][6]

Comptroller general

Richard Eckstrom, who held the office of comptroller general for twenty years, resigned on April 30, 2023, after a 3.5 billion dollar accounting error.[7] Governor Henry McMaster appointed Gaines to the vacant seat on May 12, 2023.[8] Because the state legislature's session ended on May 11, Gaines's May 12 appointment was a recess appointment, not subject to approval from the legislature. Gaines is expected to hold the position until the General Assembly elects a successor or the new term begins in 2027.[lower-alpha 1][9][10]

Notes
  1. Gaines is not the "acting" comptroller general. Rather, he was appointed to serve in the position until the General Assembly elects a successor (as is constitutionally required).

References
  1. McMaster, Henry. "Executive Order No. 2023-12" (PDF). governor.sc.gov. Governor of South Carolina. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  2. Adcox, Seanna. "McMaster calls SC Legislature back to work, makes history with pick for chief accountant". The Post and Courier. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  3. Pollard, James. "New top accountant Brian Gaines named in South Carolina after $3.5B error". www.wspa.com. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  4. "Brian J. Gaines" (PDF). governor.sc.gov. Governor of South Carolina. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  5. "Brian J. Gaines" (PDF). governor.sc.gov. Governor of South Carolina. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  6. "Gov. Henry McMaster Appoints Brian Gaines as Comptroller General". holycitysinner.com. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  7. Flowers, Marcus. "S.C. Comptroller General resigning after accounting error". WISTV. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  8. Majia, Jessica. "Governor McMaster appoints Brian Gaines as Comptroller General". abccolumbia.com. ABC. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  9. "New Top Accountant Brian Gaines Named in South Carolina After $3.5B Error". usnews.com. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  10. "Governor McMaster appoints new South Carolina comptroller general". youtube.com. News 19 WLTX. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
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