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David Thomas (South Carolina)
David Thomas (b. September 10, 1949) is a former Republican member of the South Carolina State Senate representing the 8th District from 1984 to 2012.
Biography
Thomas was on the Greenville City Council from 1979 to 1984. He was Mayor Pro Temp from 1983 to 1984. He joined the South Carolina State Senate in 1984 and served there until his primary defeat in 2012.
Thomas' professional experience includes serving as the president of Copy Cat, Incorporated, and working as an attorney.
Thomas earned his B.A. from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte in 1971. He went on to receive his M.Div. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1975. He then earned his M.A. from Texas Christian University in 1979. He received his J.D. from the University of South Carolina in 1995.
Thomas was considered one of the most conservative senators in the South Carolina State Senate during his tenure.
Committee assignments
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Thomas served on the following committees:
- Banking and Insurance Committee, South Carolina State Senate, Chair
- Corrections and Penology Committee, South Carolina State Senate
- Finance Committee, South Carolina State Senate
- Medical Affairs Committee, South Carolina State Senate
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Thomas served on the following committees:
- Banking and Insurance Committee, South Carolina Senate
- Corrections and Penology Committee, South Carolina Senate
- Finance Committee, South Carolina Senate
- Medical Affairs Committee, South Carolina Senate
Elections
2012
Thomas was eliminated in the June 12 Republican primary by Ross Turner and Joseph Swann who advanced to a runoff.[1][2][3]
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
 Joe Swann |
27.4% | 2,019 |
| Ross Turner |
26.5% | 1,953 |
| David Thomas Incumbent | 20.5% | 1,509 |
| Jim Lee | 17.1% | 1,261 |
| Chad Groover | 8.4% | 615 |
| Total Votes | 7,357 | |
2008
Thomas won re-election for District 8 of the South Carolina State Senate with 40,988, ahead of 494 write-ins.[4]
Thomas raised $41,647 for his campaign.[5]
| South Carolina State Senate, District 8 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| David Thomas
|
40,988 | |||
| Write-ins | 494 | |||
Campaign finance summary
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Scorecards
The Palmetto Liberty PAC Scorecard
The Palmetto Liberty Political Action Committee, a conservative, pro-limited government think tank in South Carolina, releases its scorecard for South Carolina representatives and senators once a year. The scorecard gives each legislator a score based on how he or she voted in the two-year legislative term prior to the election on specific issues that the Palametto Liberty PAC thinks are anti-limited government. "Most of the votes shown on the score card are votes that we lost. Now we can identify the Legislators that caused us to lose these votes. These Legislators are the ones who need to be replaced if we are to achieve the vision of having the most free state in the nation."[6]
2012
David Thomas received a score of 47% in the 2012 score card, ranking 8th out of all 46 South Carolina Senate members.[7] His score was followed by Senators Lawrence Grooms (41%), A. Shane Massey (41%), and Phillip Shoopman (41%).[8]
Pension
Due to a state law passed in 2002, which allows legislators who have served 30 years to receive a taxpayer-funded pension rather than a salary, Thomas was able to begin collecting his pension in January 2005 without leaving office. His salary at the time was $10,400, while the annual pension was $32,390.[9]
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Thomas has a wife, Fran.
External links
- David Thomas' campaign website
- David Thomas' personal website
- Profile from the South Carolina Legislature (dead link)
- Legislative profile from Project Vote Smart
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Campaign Contributions: 2008, 2006, 2004, 2002, 2000, 1996
- David Thomas on Facebook
- David Thomas on Twitter
Footnotes
- ↑ South Carolina State Election Commission, "2012 Candidates," accessed April 25, 2012
- ↑ SC Votes, "Primary Results" June 12, 2012
- ↑ South Carolina State Election Commission, "Official Primary Results," June 29, 2012
- ↑ South Carolina official election results for 2008
- ↑ Follow the Money's report on Thomas' 2008 campaign contributions
- ↑ The Palmetto Liberty Political Action Committee, "Voting Records," accessed April 11, 2014
- ↑ Palmetto Liberty Political Action Committee, "South Carolina Senate Score Card 2012," accessed May 15, 2014
- ↑ Palmetto Liberty Political Action Committee: South Carolina Senate Score Card 2012, 2012
- ↑ USA Today, "How state lawmakers pump up pensions in ways you can't," April 16, 2012
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by ' |
South Carolina State Senate - District 8 1984-2012 |
Succeeded by Ross Turner (R) |
