Mick Zais

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Zais ran in a crowded field for the Republican nomination. Zais was the top vote getter in the primary but did not clear the necessary 50% threshold. Zais defeated Elizabeth Moffly in the run-off. He faced Democrat Frank Holleman, Libertarian Tim Moultrie and two minor party candidates in the November general election. Zais won with 51% of the vote. [8] [9]

Tenure and retirement

Zais opposed implementation of the Common Core State Standards Initiative in South Carolina and withdrew from the state's participation in the federal Race to the Top grant competition. Zais supported the state's Governor to have the power to appoint the State Superintendent of Education, a position shared by a former Democratic Superintendent as well as his successor in the position. [10] [11] By the end of Zais's tenure, South Carolina's on-time high school graduation rates hit an all-time high of over 80% of students finishing within four-years. [12] Zais decided not to run for re-election and endorsed Sally Atwater, widow of Lee Atwater, as his replacement. In the 2014 election, Republican educator and former legislator, Molly Mitchell Spearman, won by a wide margin and currently serves as South Carolina's next State Superintendent of Education. [13]

U.S. Department of Education

On October 5, 2017, President Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate Zais to serve as the United States Deputy Secretary of Education. [14] He was confirmed by the United States Senate by a vote of 50–48 on May 16, 2018. [15]

After Betsy DeVos resigned as Secretary of Education on January 7, 2021, after the storming of the United States Capitol, Zais assumed the office of secretary on January 8. He remained in the position until January 20, 2021, when President Joe Biden nominated Phil Rosenfelt, the former Acting General Counsel of the United States Department of Education, to serve in an acting capacity as Secretary of Education until Miguel Cardona, the President's nominee, was confirmed by the Senate.

In June 2023, Zais endorsed Tim Scott in the 2024 United States presidential election. [16]

Personal life

Zais has a daughter, Ashley, who was Miss South Carolina USA in 2007. [17] His father, Melvin Zais, was a four-star general in the United States Army. [18]

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References

  1. ↑ "PN1397 — Mitchell Zais — Department of Education". Politico. January 7, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  2. ↑ "State Superintendent Of Education Mick Zais". South Carolina Department Of Education. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
  3. ↑ Green, Erica L.; Cameron, Chris (January 8, 2021). "Betsy DeVos, education secretary, is second cabinet member to resign". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  4. ↑ Delta, Delta Delta (1947). "The Trident of Delta Delta Delta".
  5. ↑ article on Zais from The Citadel
  6. ↑ "Mick Zais". The Washington Post. May 30, 2013. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved October 25, 2015.
  7. ↑ "2009–2010 Bill 5090: Dr. Michael M. Zais". South Carolina Legislature Online. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Republican Mick Zais Takes Victory in Race for State Superintendent of Education in South Carolina". WSPA. October 23, 2013. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Mick Zais". Ballotpedia. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Editorial: Let governor appoint education superintendent" . Retrieved October 25, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Haley, Spearman call for appointed schools chief" . Retrieved October 25, 2015.
  12. ↑ "South Carolina's on-time, high school graduation rate at all-time high" . Retrieved October 25, 2015.
  13. ↑ "COLUMBIA, SC: Molly Spearman to lead SC Schools | the Buzz | the State". Archived from the original on November 8, 2014. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  14. ↑ www.whitehouse.gov
  15. ↑ "On the Nomination (Confirmation Mitchell Zais, of South Carolina, to be Deputy Secretary of Education )". United States Senate . May 16, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  16. ↑ Sen. Tim Scott in Spartanburg to announce campaign endorsements". FOX Carolina. June 12, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023
  17. ↑ Martin, Jonathan (April 21, 2008). "McCain camp hires beauty queen". Politico. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  18. ↑ "Zais family is a top-brass band" . Retrieved August 26, 2023.
Mick Zais
Mick Zais official photo.jpg
Official portrait, 2018
Acting United States Secretary of Education
In office
January 8, 2021 –January 20, 2021
Academic offices
Preceded by
John Hudgens
 President of Newberry College
2000–2010		Succeeded by
Scott Koerwer
Party political offices
Preceded by Republican nominee for South Carolina Superintendent of Education
2010 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by South Carolina Superintendent of Education
2011–2015		Succeeded by
Preceded by United States Deputy Secretary of Education
2018–2021		Succeeded by
Denise L. Carter
Acting
Preceded by United States Secretary of Education
Acting
2021		Succeeded by
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