S.C. lieutenant governor-elect shares how foster care and adoption shaped his priorities

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - South Carolina Lt. Gov.-elect Mike Reichenbach says his experience in foster care and adoption is shaping one of his priorities for the incoming administration: making adoption more accessible and affordable for families.

In an interview with News 12’s sister station, WIS, following the Nov. 3 election, Reichenbach said he was placed in foster care as a baby before being adopted by a white family from Germany. He said his parents made sure he was proud of his identity as a Black child and knew he belonged in their family.

“My mom and dad, God bless them, they would put me on their lap, and she would sing to me, like, I am black and I am beautiful,” Reichenbach said. “And she would have me sing that over and over and over, because she wanted to make sure that I was proud to be black and proud to be who I was, and I was still a Reichenbach, nothing more, nothing less.”

“They were such good parents because they taught me that my origin story was not going to determine my future,” Reichenbach said. “It would be my faith and my hard work and discipline and family and the decisions I made.”

He hopes his story can be an example for young people in foster care, those who have been adopted and others facing difficult circumstances.

“I also like to be an example for others who may be in foster care or may be adopted or may have a tough origin story and help them appreciate the fact that their story isn’t written,” he said.

Adoption and agency accountability

Reichenbach said he wants to make adoption more affordable and accessible while keeping it safe. He pointed to possible refundable tax credits to help families with adoption costs, emphasizing that the credits are an idea, not a finalized plan.

He also raised the possibility of changes to speed up the termination of parental rights when necessary so children can be adopted. He said his focus is on the best interest of the child.

Referring to an estimated 3,500 children in foster care, Reichenbach asked, “How do we make adoption more affordable, more accessible while still keeping it safe?”

WIS also asked Reichenbach what accountability would look like for South Carolina agencies and whether he would commit to independent reviews. In response, he said the incoming administration plans to look at every state agency through audits under its Families First Audit initiative, not just the Department of Social Services.

“We made that promise as we campaigned, Alan and I both, and we’re going to hold to that promise and be accountable to the constituents to look at every state agency,” he said.

Reichenbach said he also wants to focus on economic development and job opportunities. He and Gov.-elect Alan Wilson are scheduled to be sworn in Jan. 13, 2027.