Steven Bradley Coward was a Latta, South Carolina, town councilmember until he was suspended by the governor after being indicted for domestic violence. He first won election to the town council in 2022 even though he had been arrested for domestic violence in September 2020. His ex-wife, who claims he grabbed her by the neck and pushed as well as pulling out a handgun. The assault is on video.
Despite his 2020 arrest, the case had not moved forward until she went to the press asking why he was allowed to swear in while having a pending criminal charge. The governor would not suspend him unless there was an indictment. After the media started reporting, he was finally indicted two and half years after the incident. He was then suspended.
- ABC4: Dillon woman questions how ex-spouse can be sworn in for public office with pending charge
- WISTV: Gov. McMaster suspends Latta council member after domestic violence indictment
