Jim Lander
James Albert Lander (April 9, 1930 – October 29, 2020) was an American politician. He sat on the South Carolina Senate between 1993 and 1999, then became Comptroller General of South Carolina until 2003. Early life and military career Lander was from Abbeville, South Carolina. He served on the Abbeville City Council in 1952 and was a member of the class of 1953 at Erskine College. Lander left Erskine without graduating to serve in the South Carolina Army National Guard (SCANG). Lander was on active duty from 1966 through 1971, and served tours of duty in Korea and Vietnam. He became chief of staff of the SCANG, retiring in 1985. In 1986, Lander completed his bachelor's degree at Lander University, which was named for his great-grandfather. He then joined the South Carolina State Guard and retired as a major general in 1991. During his military career, Lander received the Bronze Star Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and the Order of the Palmetto. Political career Lander ran for the 40th district seat in the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1988, challenging incumbent Dave Waldrop Jr. in the Democratic Party primary election. He lost the election