(AP) -- COLUMBIA, S.C. - South Carolina's House Democrats and Senate Republicans are electing their leaders for the session that starts this week.
House Minority Leader Harry Ott says after eight years as the chamber's Democratic leader, he won't seek re-election to the post. The St. Matthews Democrat says he isn't able to commit to another two years.
House Democrats will vote on a new leader during a closed-door meeting Tuesday. Reps. Todd Rutherford of Columbia and Ted Vick of Chesterfield are running to replace Ott.
Senate Republicans are opening up their election Tuesday to the public. Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler of Gaffney is expected to be re-elected to the post he's held since 2005.
House Republicans and Senate Democrats elected their leaders in organizational sessions after the November elections.
(Copyright ©2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
