Former Columbia, South Carolina, City Councilman Daniel Rickenmann was sworn in as the city’s new Republican-backed mayor on Jan. 4 after defeating Tameika Isaac Devine, a candidate endorsed by former President Barack Obama. Though mayoral elections in the capital city are nonpartisan, Rickenmann is affiliated with the Republican Party. In addition to receiving backing from Obama, Devine, a Democrat, was endorsed by House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.). Rickenmann succeeds former Mayor Stephen Benjamin, a Democrat, who did not seek a fourth term after serving 11 years. In the final but unofficial results, Rickenmann received 52 percent of the vote to Devine’s 48 percent, which is in total votes 10,554 to 9,762, a difference of 792 votes. Following Rickenmann’s win over Devine in November, Republicans said it’s evidence of a growing “red wave” that will see Republicans recapture the House during the 2022 midterms. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), the head of the Senate GOP’s …