Sen. Nikki Setzler of West Columbia delivered a closing address in the Senate Chamber of the South Carolina State House, Wednesday. It was the last senate session of the year. Setzler, who is not running for reelection, has been a member of the SC Senate for 48 years.

Setzler said he believed the time and day of his departure would never come. He also said: “My legacy will be my work in this body.”

At one point, Setzler quoted from the play Hamilton, by Lin-Manuel Miranda. “I want to be in the room where it happens.” Setzler said he has “been blessed to be in that room.” He also said he loves the SC Senate and has been able to thrive in that environment. He said he has “clearly gotten to live out his dream.”

Setzler, who battled early-stage prostate cancer in 2012, said he made the decision to retire after he was reelected for the 12th time in 2020. He said he is at peace and has no regrets with his decision. He and his family prayed about it and he believes it is God’s will for him to leave his seat.

Setzler said every day he served in the senate he has gotten “to touch and change the life of somebody and make it better.”

Setzler moved to Cayce when he was one and later to West Columbia. His family operated Ed’s Drive-Thru on Meeting Street for four generations. Setzler’s 4 daughters, 4 sons-in-law, and 9 grandchildren, were present, Wednesday, along with his wife of 55 years, Ada Jane. Emotional at times, Setzler thanked all of his family. West Columbia Mayor Tem Miles and Cayce-West Columbia Chamber President Tim James attended the address, also.

Setzler said he worked as a Statehouse page at age 18 and won his first election in 1976, when he was age 30. He said he went to sleep on election night thinking he’d lost, only to find out at 4:45 the next morning he had won by 857 votes.

Setzler alluded to many former and current Senate colleagues who have enriched his life. He also thanked God for giving him the privilege, ability, and health to serve. Setzler, a Democrat, coined the term “A Caring Conservative” and he said his service has been about people not political parties.

Setzler said he is excited about the next stage of his life and he wants to be active in the state and in his community.