SC governor candidate Joe Cunningham considers Greenville native for running mate

Democratic candidate for governor Joe Cunningham has announced a short list of prospective candidates for lieutenant governor that includes a woman who's a native of Greenville, Tally Parham Casey.

After winning last month's Democratic primary, Cunningham is slated to face incumbent Republican Gov. Henry McMaster; Independence Party candidates Jokie Beckett Jr. and Michael Copland; Libertarian Party candidate Bruce Reeves, who's selected Jessica Ethridge as a running mate; and Labor Party candidate Gary Votour in November's general election.

The list of people Cunningham is considering to be his running mate for governor, a position elected on a ticket with a lieutenant governor, includes nine names. He revealed the list July 18.

“The person I choose for Lieutenant Governor will be ready to lead on day one," Cunningham said in a statement on his website. "Our ticket will represent the future of South Carolina and the amazing potential of our state. I am committed to selecting a qualified, visionary leader to join our team and help usher in a new generation of leadership for our incredible state,"

Tally Parham Casey, CEO of Wyche Law Firm in Columbia, was the first female fighter pilot in the South Carolina Air National Guard and a veteran of three combat tours in Iraq.

According to her bio on Wyche Law Firm website, Casey is a graduate of Princeton University and the University of Virginia School of Law. She did not immediately return phone calls or emails seeking comment Monday.

Cunningham said he expects to announce his choice for a running mate in the next few weeks.

Others on the short list to be a running mate for Joe Cunningham

• Rosalyn Glenn of Columbia. Financial planner and former Democratic nominee for State Treasurer.

• Jermaine Johnson, of Lower Richland. State representative, small business owner and former professional basketball player.

• Kimberly O. Johnson, of Manning. State representative and assistant director of the F.E. DuBose Career Center.

• Meghan Smith of Spartanburg. Member of Spartanburg City Council for District 1. Director of college and career readiness at the Spartanburg Academic Movement.

• Ed Sutton of Charleston. Air Force pilot, commercial realtor, and former Democratic nominee for state House.

• Spencer Wetmore of Folly Beach. State representative, former prosecutor and former city administrator for the city of Folly Beach.

• Kathryn Whitaker of Mount Pleasant. Chief marketing officer of Burr & Forman, LLP. Former Democratic nominee for state Senate. Native of Orangeburg.

• Teresa Wilson of Columbia. City manager of the city of Columbia.

– Tamia Boyd is a Michigan native who covers breaking news in Greenville. Email her at tboyd@gannett.com, and follow her on Twitter @tamiamb.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: SC governor candidate considers Greenville native for running mate