Rainey is a tax attorney who heads a real estate development company. He also has served as the chair of the state-run electric utility—even after the governor fired him in late ‘99. Rainey, who was appointed to the South Carolina Public Service Authority by Democratic Gov. Jim Hodges’ GOP predecessor, argued that the new governor lacked authority to oust him before the end of his term. The dispute went to the state Supreme Court, which ruled in July 2000 that Rainey must go.