Harry Cato
Harry Franklin Cato was a Republican member of the South Carolina House of Representatives (dead link), representing the 17th District since 1991. During his tenure, Cato has served on the Rules Committee and was Chairman of the Labor, Commerce, and Industry Committee from 1994 until 2008. Cato now serves as Speaker Pro Tempore of the South Carolina House of Representatives.
According to an October 2010 report by The Nerve, Cato recorded salary and expenses of $105,304 for the 2.5-year period from Jan. 1, 2008, through mid 2010, making him the fourth-highest-compensated legislator in South Carolina during that period.[1]
Cato was one of several South Carolina lawmakers who traveled to Panama in September 2010 for a three-day trip paid for by the South Carolina State Ports Authority, even though he's a member of a commission that oversees the authority.[2] At least $29,000 was spent on the Ports Authority-sponsored junket, which sought to promote South Carolina ports to Panama Canal officials.[3] Information gathered by the investigative journalism website The Nerve showed that the authority covered most of the costs for the seven-member legislative group, which included five legislators - Cato; Sen. Lawrence Grooms, R-Berkeley; Rep. J. David Weeks, D-Sumter; Rep. Bill Sandifer III, R-Oconee; and Sen. Phillip Shoopman, R-Greenville.[4]
In the private sector, Cato is Manager of Cato Transportation Supply Inc.
Cato earned a Bachelor's of Science from Clemson University in 1980 and now resides in Travelers Rest, S.C.[5] (dead link)
In The State House
During his 18 years in the House of Representatives, Cato has focused on commerce and business, even starting his own 527 Political Action Committee, the Carolina Commerce Fund (CCF). The CCF has raised over $100,000. As illustrated in the Committee's State Ethics Reports, a great deal of those funds go to other candidates and/or incumbents for political office.
The conservative Club for Growth gave Cato a grade of "D-" for the 2007-08 Legislative session (the last session for which the group has records).[6] Project Vote Smart has extensive information on Cato's voting record and ratings from other organizations.
Elections
2010
Cato lost to Tom Corbin in the Republican primary on June 8 by a margin of 3,379-1,818. Cato was seeking his 11th term. Corbin defeated Stephen Salter (D) in the general election on November 2.
2008
On November 4, 2008, Cato won re-election unopposed to the South Carolina House of Representatives with 12,200 votes, representing District 17.
Cato raised $51,749 for his campaign.[7]
| South Carolina House of Representatives, District 17(2008) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
 Harry Cato (R)
|
12,200 | |||
Campaign finance summary
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Controversial Vote
In filling a vacancy on the South Carolina Supreme Court in 2007, Representative Cato supported and voted for State Appeals Court Judge Don Beatty (noted in the S.C. Club for Growth Scorecard above). While most conservative groups and members of the South Carolina General Assembly opposed Beatty's confirmation to the Supreme Court, Cato helped forge alliances with the Black Caucus in support of Beatty.[8]
Much of the conservative opposition to Beatty's confirmation was predicated on some of his votes as a legislator from 1991-1995. One of the most controversial votes was in opposition to a bill that would have required physicians to present literature on abortion alternatives to patients.[9] Oran Smith, President of Palmetto Family Council, said of Beatty's vote on the abortion measure: "Only the most extreme liberals in the General Assembly voted against that."[10]
Footnotes
- ↑ Lawmakers Cost Taxpayers Millions, The Nerve, Oct. 6, 2010
- ↑ Ports Authority Spends 29K on Panama Trip, The Nerve, January 26, 2011
- ↑ Ports Authority Spends 29K on Panama Trip, The Nerve, January 26, 2011
- ↑ Ports Authority Spends 29K on Panama Trip, The Nerve, January 26, 2011
- ↑ http://www.scstatehouse.gov/members/bios/0331818142.html
- ↑ http://www.scclubforgrowth.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/08housescorecard.pdf
- ↑ Follow the Money's report 2008 Campaign donations in South Carolina
- ↑ http://www.goupstate.com/article/20070520/NEWS/705200342
- ↑ http://www.goupstate.com/article/20070520/NEWS/705200342
- ↑ http://www.goupstate.com/article/20070520/NEWS/705200342
External links
- South Carolina House of Representative - Rep. Harry Cato (dead link)
- Legislative profile from Project Vote Smart
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Campaign Contributions: 2008, 2006, 2004, 2002, 2000, 1998, 1996
Footnotes
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
South Carolina House of Representatives District 17 1990–2010 |
Succeeded by Tom Corbin (R) |
