Mayor William Cogswell recommended that a former city councilman who endorsed him in a cutthroat runoff election be appointed to the bench of Charleston's municipal court.
The public safety committee unanimously voted April 17 to appoint Peter Shahid to a two-year term as a part-time associate judge. He would replace Michael Molony, who is set to retire in May.
It's unclear how much Shahid would earn in pay. Molony's salary was $39,518, which in part was based on his years of experience in the role. Shahid will likely make less, city spokeswoman Deja Knight McMillan said.
Cogswell outlined the reasons behind his recommendation in a memo to City Council.
Shahid, 68, has an extensive legal background. Since earning his law degree in 1981, he has started his own Charleston-based law firm and has held roles as a federal prosecutor and public defender. He served nearly a decade as a municipal judge in Mount Pleasant. Judges at this level handle traffic and code violations, as well as criminal offenses punishable by fines up to $500 and imprisonment up to 30 days.
Shahid represented parts of West Ashley during his two City Council terms, which began in 2016. He chaired the public safety committee, which received frequent updates from Municipal Court Administrative Judge Susan Herdina about caseloads and backlogs. That means he is familiar with the city court and how it operates — and what improvements can be made.
"I really do enjoy public service," Shahid told The Post and Courier. "I think it's sort of our responsibility to give back to the community that's given us so much, particularly to my family over time."
Shahid is the third person who publicly endorsed Cogswell during the mayoral race to land a City Hall-connected position.
Cogswell brought on state Rep. Wendell Gilliard, D-Charleston, as a special advisor. Gilliard threw his support behind Cogswell early on, even working for his campaign and writing a Post and Courier op-ed spelling out his reasons for his support.
The first-term mayor additionally hired Mika Gadsden as an advisor. Gadsden, a local activist, ran for mayor as a progressive candidate but ultimately endorsed Cogswell after she lost in the crowded general election last November.
Shahid, who also fell short in the mayoral race, announced a day later he would back Cogswell in the runoff election. He called the Republican and former Statehouse representative "the leader our city needs," opting to support him over two-term incumbent Mayor John Tecklenburg.
Cogswell pulled off a victory in the Nov. 21 runoff.
Both Cogswell and Shahid rebuffed speculation that the former councilman's pending judicial appointment is a political favor. Two candidates approached City Hall about the opening, McMillan said. Cogswell ultimately chose Shahid because of his qualifications.
Shahid said he went to the new mayor in January after hearing about the potential vacancy.
"'Look, there's a possible opening. I'd like to be considered for it. I like my city,'" Shahid recalled telling Cogswell.
The public safety committee, which is made up of five City Council members, accepted the mayor's recommendation with little discussion April 17.
"Who's Peter Shahid?" District Four Councilman Robert Mitchell said jokingly. Shahid, sitting in the audience, chuckled.
Committee members also unanimously approved Cogswell's other municipal court requests: voting to reappoint judges Lindsey McClain Byrd, Emmanuel Ferguson and Thomas Morrison to new terms.
The full City Council will consider the committee's recommendations on April 23. If approved, Shahid will begin working his new part-time role as a judge while continuing to work full time at his downtown firm, Shahid Law Office.
Ali Rockett contributed to this report.
