Columbia, SC (WLTX) -- Governor Nikki Haley says she and her staff are already looking ahead to her second term. Haley told reporters she met with senior staff members Thursday morning in a post-election news conference.
Haley talked about her expectations moving forward with the general assembly.
She says she is excited about working with a new house speaker. Representative Jay Lucas took over those duties after Bobby Harrell's suspension earlier this year.
Haley says she and Lucas have been friends for a while and she respects him.
She believes that can lead to a different relationship with House during the next legislative session.
"I'm excited about the fact that we're going to have a new speaker. I'm excited about the fact that we've worked really well with the senate these last two years. They've been very good to work with and so the fact that's we've got a little bit of a change in the dynamic gives me some hope," said Haley. "I really hope that we can all be on the same page. For me, I've always hoped and wished for a good relationship with the legislature."
Haley is also looking forward to working with newly elected Lieutenant Governor Henry McMaster. She says she expects they will meet frequently, and that McMaster could take on some new duties.
A second term will also mean some new faces in state leadership, like the vacancy at the South Carolina Department of Social Services.
Former director, Lillian Koller resigned in June when the department came under scrutiny over how it handled cases, including some where children died.
Haley said finding a new leader for DSS was nearly impossible with the uncertainty of an election going on. Now that she has secured another four years in office, Haley say her office is in a strong search to find someone to take over the agency, and will not waste time.
"Yesterday, I'd love to do it yesterday," said Haley. "We've got meetings scheduled going forward, but we're gonna look for a director we know can actually come in and carry it to another level in a way that we have that team approach for those caseworkers. That will really make a big difference." Haley says they're also looking at policy changes for the agency.
Other new faces are also possible, as Haley's first term comes to a close, she says some people leading state agencies may want to move in a different direction.
"We've got certain members who have served their time and they're tired and moving on to better things," said Haley, who would not give any specifics on who might leave their positions. "So, as we talk to them we'll let all know who that's gonna be."
