J. Yancey McGill

John Yancey McGill (born September 18, 1952) is an American politician from South Carolina. He was a member of the state Senate from 1989 to 2014. He served as the 90th lieutenant governor of South Carolina from June 2014 to January 2015. He was the last Democrat to hold statewide office in South Carolina, until the appointment of Brian J. Gaines as Comptroller General by Governor Henry McMaster in 2023.

Career McGill was born on September 18, 1952, in Kingstree, South Carolina. He attended, but did not graduate from The Citadel. He also attended Francis Marion College.

Political career McGill was formerly a Democratic member of the South Carolina Senate, representing the 32nd District from 1989 to June 18, 2014.

McGill became lieutenant governor after Glenn F. McConnell resigned to become president of The College of Charleston, becoming the first Democrat to hold the office since 1995. Although a Democrat, McGill ran unopposed for Senate president pro tempore in the Republican-controlled state Senate, winning a position usually held by a senator from the majority party. Immediately upon election, as planned, McConnell resigned, then McGill resigned, automatically being elevated to the post of lieutenant governor under the order of succession set forth in the state Constitution.

McGill chose not to run for election to a full term. He stayed at the position for eight months before stepping down, retiring to his family farm in Kingstree.

In March 2016, McGill left the Democratic Party and announced his intention to run for governor of South Carolina as a Republican in the 2018 election. He had been a conservative Democrat for most of his career; he opposed abortion and supported curbs on government spending and regulation. He said that he hadn't changed parties sooner because his state senate district was too Democratic for him to be elected as a Republican.

On June 12, 2018, McGill placed last in the gubernatorial Republican primary, receiving 1.7% percent of the vote. He led in Williamsburg County, his home county.

Personal life McGill married Pamela Jean Fennell on May 18, 1973; they have three children. He currently resides in his hometown in Kingstree, South Carolina.