South Carolina made history when the state inaugurated its first female and minority governor. Nikki Haley was sworn in as the governor of the Palmetto State on the steps of the State House in Columbia, South Carolina. Since the founding of the United States, 85 men have served as S.C. governor. At 38-years-old, she is the nation’s youngest sitting chief executive. Outgoing Governor Mark Sanford attended the Inauguration ceremony. Nikki Haley represented Lexington County in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 2005 to 2010.