State House Flags Lowered for Alexander Sanders Jr.

Governor Henry McMaster ordered South Carolina flags at half-staff to honor the former judge, lawmaker and college president who died at 88.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Law

Flag at half-staff on a flagpole in front of a pale neoclassical state capitol with white columns, under warm late-afternoon light beside mature oak trees. — Flags at the South Carolina State House were lowered to half-staff on November 5 under Governor Henry McMaster's order honoring former judge and lawmaker Alexander Sanders Jr., who died at 88. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Flags atop the South Carolina State House flew at half-staff on November 5 under an executive order signed by Governor Henry McMaster. The order honors Alexander M. Sanders Jr., who died October 21 at age 88.

Why it matters

The order recognizes Sanders' lifetime of public service to South Carolina, which spanned the state judiciary, the legislature and higher education. Sanders' career touched several institutions that shape daily life across the state.

The executive order lowered flags from sunrise to sunset on November 5, honoring a man who died October 21 at age 88. The stub does not indicate whether additional honors or memorial services are planned.

The players

Henry McMaster

Henry McMaster is the Governor of South Carolina, who signed the executive order lowering state flags.

Alexander M. Sanders Jr.

Alexander M. Sanders Jr. was a South Carolina jurist, legislator and college president who served as the state's first chief judge of the Court of Appeals.

College of Charleston

The College of Charleston is a public liberal arts college in Charleston, South Carolina, founded in 1770.

The details

Sanders served as South Carolina's first chief judge of the Court of Appeals and held seats in both the state Senate and House of Representatives. He also led the College of Charleston from 1992 to 2001 as its 19th president, and he helped preserve land that later became Congaree National Park.

October 21: Sanders died at age 88.
1992 to 2001: Sanders led the College of Charleston.
2002: Sanders ran as the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate.
November 5: State House flags flew at half-staff from sunrise to sunset.

Legal Context

Governors in South Carolina routinely use executive orders to lower state flags for former judges and lawmakers, placing Sanders' honor within an established practice. Sanders' own record as the state's first chief judge of the Court of Appeals connects the tribute to the judicial branch he helped build.

The flag order affects public buildings across South Carolina for one day, with no change to any law or public service. It serves as a formal recognition rather than a policy action with direct effects on residents.

The takeaway

Public honors like half-staff orders give residents a formal way to recognize public service. Sanders' career across the courts, legislature and a state college shows how one person can shape several institutions over decades.