Founding Partner of Setzler & Scott, P.A.

Nikki Setzler’s tenure in the South Carolina Senate began in 1976, and he has represented the counties of Aiken, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Edgefield, Saluda and Lexington. At the time of his retirement, he was the longest serving State Senator currently holding office in the nation, and the longest serving Senator in South Carolina’s history. His passion for consensus-building and the legislative process has led to reformative legislation, but he is known for his art as a true statesman - one who spoke with knowledge, with passion and with heart. In his farewell remarks to the Senate, he implored others that the sanctity of the Senate, the traditions, and the decorum should be respected, preserved, and defended. In honor of his 48 years of his distinguished service both to the State of South Carolina and the State Senate, the Senate passed a unanimous resolution to hang his portrait in the Senate Chamber. On January 22, 2025, the portrait was hung in the Senate Chamber.

In his 48 years of service in the South Carolina Senate, he served for 12 years as Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, and also served on the Finance Committee, Banking and Insurance Committee and Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee. He was well known for his work in education - both K-12 and higher education, finance and oversight, as well as economic development and transportation. He chaired the Oversight Subcommittee which included Santee Cooper and South Carolina Ports Authority as well as co-chaired the committee that investigated the Fairfield Nuclear Reactor failure and closure.