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Henry McMaster
2017 - Present
2027
8
Henry McMaster (Republican Party) is the Governor of South Carolina. He assumed office on January 24, 2017. His current term ends on January 13, 2027.
McMaster was born in Columbia, South Carolina, in 1947.[1] His father, John Gregg McMaster, served two terms in the South Carolina House of Representatives.[2] McMaster received a bachelor’s degree in history and a J.D. from the University of South Carolina in 1969 and 1973, respectively.[1] Following law school, he was a legislative aide to U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond (R-S.C.) in Washington D.C. before joining his family’s legal practice in 1974.[1][3] McMaster also served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1969 to 1975.[4]
In 1981, President Ronald Reagan (R) appointed McMaster to serve as United States attorney for the District of South Carolina.[1] During his four-year tenure, McMaster worked on Operation Jackpot, an investigation into international drug smuggling that resulted in more than 100 convictions.[5][1]
McMaster ran unsuccessfully as the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate in 1986 and for lieutenant governor of South Carolina in 1990. In 1991, Gov. Carroll A. Campbell Jr. (R) appointed McMaster to the state Commission on Higher Education.[1] He served on the Board of Directors of the nonprofit South Carolina Policy Council from 1991 to 2003 and as chair from 1992 to 1993.[1]
From 1993 to 2002, McMaster served as chair of the state’s Republican Party.[1] The State’s Tom Barton wrote that as chair, McMaster “led the party to Republican majorities in South Carolina’s House and Senate.”[6] As of 2024, Republicans maintained the majorities they won in the state House in 1994 and the state Senate in 2000.
In 2002, McMaster was elected attorney general of South Carolina after defeating Steve Benjamin (D) 55.5% to 44.5%. He won re-election in 2006 after running unopposed. The State’s Cynthia Roldán, Sammy Fretwell, and Cassie Cope wrote that during his tenure as attorney general, McMaster worked on several cases related to the environment in addition to his work “cracking down on domestic violence” and “champion[ing] the creation of a task force that tackled internet crimes against children.”[3]
McMaster ran unsuccessfully in the 2010 Republican primary for Governor of South Carolina, placing third in a field of four candidates. In 2011, Gov. Nikki Haley (R) appointed McMaster to the South Carolina Ports Authority.[1] McMaster was elected lieutenant governor in 2014 after defeating Bakari Sellers (D) 58.8% to 41.1%. This was the last election in which the state's lieutenant governor and governor ran on separate tickets due to a 2012 ballot measure that went into effect in 2018, allowing the governor to pick a running mate.[7]
In 2017, McMaster was sworn in as governor after President Donald Trump (R) appointed Haley as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.[1] He won a full term as governor in 2018 after defeating James Smith Jr. (D) 54% to 45.9%. In 2022, he won re-election to a second term after defeating Joe Cunningham (D) 58.0% to 40.7%. According to the Associated Press’ James Pollard, this was “the largest margin of victory a South Carolina gubernatorial election has seen in over three decades.”[8] During his 2022 inaugural address, McMaster said that in his second term, he would continue to focus on the state’s “economic strength, education, and our natural environment.”[9]
At the time of his tenure as governor, McMaster was the oldest person to serve as governor of South Carolina and—upon completing his second term in 2026—the state's longest-serving governor.[8] Due to term limits, South Carolina voters can only elect an individual twice to serve as governor.
Biography
McMaster was born in Columbia, South Carolina, on May 27, 1947. He received a B.A. in history from the University of South Carolina in 1969 and a J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1973. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserve until 1975, when he was honorably discharged. After graduating from law school, he worked as a legislative assistant to U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond (R) and as an attorney in private practice.[10]
He was appointed a U.S. attorney in 1981 by President Ronald Reagan (R). From 1993 to 2002, he was chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party. He was first elected attorney general of South Carolina in 2002 and served two terms. He then worked on the South Carolina Ports Authority before being elected lieutenant governor of South Carolina in 2014. After South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) left office to join the Trump administration, McMaster became governor of the state in 2017.[10]
Political career
Below is a list of offices within Ballotpedia’s scope. Offices outside of that scope will not be listed. If an update is needed and the office is within our scope, please contact us.
McMaster's political career includes the following offices:
- 2017-present: Governor of South Carolina
- 2015-2017: Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina
- 2003-2011: Attorney General of South Carolina
- 1981-1985: United States District Court for the District of South Carolina
Elections
2022
See also: South Carolina gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2022
General election
General election for Governor of South Carolina
Incumbent Henry McMaster defeated Joe Cunningham and Morgan Bruce Reeves in the general election for Governor of South Carolina on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Henry McMaster (R) | 58.0 | 988,501 |
![]() | Joe Cunningham (D) | 40.7 | 692,691 | |
Morgan Bruce Reeves (L) | 1.2 | 20,826 | ||
Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 1,174 |
Total votes: 1,703,192 | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Jokie Beckett Jr. (Independence Party)
- Michael Copland (Independence Party)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Governor of South Carolina
Joe Cunningham defeated Mia McLeod, Carlton Boyd, William Williams, and Calvin McMillan in the Democratic primary for Governor of South Carolina on June 14, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Joe Cunningham | 56.4 | 102,473 |
![]() | Mia McLeod | 31.1 | 56,406 | |
![]() | Carlton Boyd | 5.3 | 9,579 | |
![]() | William Williams | 3.8 | 6,829 | |
![]() | Calvin McMillan | 3.5 | 6,303 |
Total votes: 181,590 | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Governor of South Carolina
Incumbent Henry McMaster defeated Harrison Musselwhite in the Republican primary for Governor of South Carolina on June 14, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Henry McMaster | 83.3 | 306,543 |
![]() | Harrison Musselwhite ![]() | 16.7 | 61,462 |
Total votes: 368,005 | ||||
![]() | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Al BellaVance (R)
- Mindy Steele (R)
Independence Party convention
Independence Party convention for Governor of South Carolina
Jokie Beckett Jr. and Michael Copland advanced from the Independence Party convention for Governor of South Carolina on May 27, 2022.
Candidate | ||
✔ | Jokie Beckett Jr. (Independence Party) | |
✔ | ![]() | Michael Copland (Independence Party) |
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Labor Party convention
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Gary Votour (Labor Party)
Libertarian convention
Libertarian convention for Governor of South Carolina
Morgan Bruce Reeves advanced from the Libertarian convention for Governor of South Carolina on June 18, 2022.
Candidate | ||
✔ | Morgan Bruce Reeves (L) |
![]() | ||||
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2018
General election
General election for Governor of South Carolina
Incumbent Henry McMaster defeated James Smith Jr. in the general election for Governor of South Carolina on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Henry McMaster (R) | 54.0 | 921,342 |
![]() | James Smith Jr. (D) | 45.9 | 784,182 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 2,045 |
Total votes: 1,707,569 | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Martin Barry (American Party)
Republican primary runoff election
Republican primary runoff for Governor of South Carolina
Incumbent Henry McMaster defeated John Warren in the Republican primary runoff for Governor of South Carolina on June 26, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Henry McMaster | 53.6 | 184,286 |
John Warren | 46.4 | 159,349 |
Total votes: 343,635 | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Governor of South Carolina
James Smith Jr. defeated Marguerite Willis and Phil Noble in the Democratic primary for Governor of South Carolina on June 12, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | James Smith Jr. | 61.8 | 148,633 |
![]() | Marguerite Willis | 27.5 | 66,248 | |
![]() | Phil Noble | 10.6 | 25,587 |
Total votes: 240,468 | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Governor of South Carolina
Incumbent Henry McMaster and John Warren advanced to a runoff. They defeated Catherine Templeton, Kevin Bryant, and John McGill in the Republican primary for Governor of South Carolina on June 12, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Henry McMaster | 42.3 | 155,723 |
✔ | John Warren | 27.8 | 102,390 | |
![]() | Catherine Templeton | 21.4 | 78,705 | |
![]() | Kevin Bryant | 6.7 | 24,790 | |
![]() | John McGill | 1.7 | 6,375 |
Total votes: 367,983 | ||||
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2014
Primary election
Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina, Republican Primary, 2014 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
![]() |
43.6% | 131,546 | ||
![]() |
23.9% | 72,204 | ||
Pat McKinney (withdrew)[11] | 24.4% | 73,451 | ||
Ray Moore | 8.1% | 24,335 | ||
Total Votes | 301,536 | |||
Election results via South Carolina State Elections Commission. |
Primary runoff
Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina, Republican Runoff, 2014 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
![]() |
63.6% | 85,301 | ||
Mike Campbell | 36.4% | 48,863 | ||
Total Votes | 134,164 | |||
Election results via South Carolina State Elections Commission. |
General election
Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina, 2014 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
Republican | ![]() |
58.8% | 726,821 | |
Democratic | Bakari Sellers | 41.1% | 508,807 | |
Nonpartisan | Write-in votes | 0.1% | 1,514 | |
Total Votes | 1,237,142 | |||
Election results via South Carolina State Election Commission |
2010
2010 Race for Governor - Republican Primary[12] | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Candidates | Percentage | |||
![]() |
48.9%[13] | |||
Gresham Barrett (R) | 21.8% | |||
Henry McMaster (R) | 16.9% | |||
Andre Bauer (R) | 12.5% | |||
Total votes | 422,251 |
2006
On November 7, 2006, Henry McMaster won re-election to the office of South Carolina attorney general. He ran unopposed in the general election.
South Carolina attorney general, 2006 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
Republican | ![]() |
99.2% | 779,453 | |
Write-In | Various | 0.8% | 6,107 | |
Total Votes | 785,560 | |||
Election results via South Carolina State Election Commission. |
2002
2002 Race for Attorney General - Republican Primary | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Candidates | Percentage | |||
![]() |
42.4%[14] | |||
Larry Richter (R) | 31.8% | |||
Jon E. Ozmint (R) | 25.8% | |||
Total votes | 297,462 |
2002 Race for Attorney General - Republican Primary Runoff | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Candidates | Percentage | |||
![]() |
55.8% | |||
Larry Richter (R) | 44.2% | |||
Total votes | 290,285 |
On November 5, 2002, Henry McMaster won election to the office of South Carolina attorney general. He defeated Steve Benjamin (D) in the general election.
South Carolina attorney general, 2002 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
Republican | ![]() |
55.5% | 601,931 | |
Democratic | Steve Benjamin | 44.5% | 482,560 | |
Write-In | Various | 0% | 498 | |
Total Votes | 1,084,989 | |||
Election results via South Carolina State Election Commission. |
Campaign themes
2022
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Henry McMaster did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2018
Campaign website
The following themes were listed on McMaster's campaign website:
“ |
Good Paying Jobs Since January we’ve added more than 15,000 new jobs from 114 development projects, and our unemployment rate is 3.9% – the lowest since 2001. In fact, there are more South Carolinians working today than ever before in our state’s history. But we’re not done yet! We will continue to fight for conservative policies that help businesses grow and raise wages. Lower Taxes I know that low taxes are essential for economic growth and investment, which is why I vetoed the largest tax increase in state history. I’m continuing to push for lower taxes through my new tax plan which will provide relief for South Carolinians in the form of: A 1% rate reduction over five years for all personal income tax brackets, which will result in $2.2 billion in taxpayer savings through the course of implementation, starting with an immediate $139 million cut that is paid for and certified in this budget; An immediate and full retirement income exemption for military veterans and first responders, including retired state and federal law enforcement, firefighters and peace officers, representing $22 million in relief the first year. Pro-Life Cutting Regulations and Red Tape It’s time to shrink the government and unleash and facilitate the innovation, investment, vision, creativity, and prosperity of South Carolina. NO Sanctuary Cities Right now, there is no way for the public to know whether their local government enforces state and federal immigration laws. That is why I have asked legislators to strengthen our laws to ban Sanctuary Cities in South Carolina. Before cities and towns are eligible to receive your state tax dollars, they must verify to South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) that they are complying and enforcing state and federal immigration law. Trust, but verify…in order to keep our neighborhoods and communities safe from lawlessness. I have also directed the federal government to cease resettling refugees in South Carolina from the six countries under President Trump’s travel ban. As a former U.S. Attorney and Attorney General of South Carolina, I know that the rule of law is essential to our safety and prosperity – and I will enforce it. Protecting Religious Freedoms Slash the Budget Stopping the practice of buying and owning vehicles and buildings. State agencies should be leasing vehicles and office space through the department of administration instead of purchasing them. Cutting down on excess services. Small state agencies should consolidate their human resources, information technology, and other services to save money, create efficiencies, and reduce their agency footprint. Increasing transparency in our government. We need more transparency in budgeting by eliminating the state budgeting practice of rolling up big ‘pork’ projects in a single appropriation to hide them from the public and cloak their purpose. As an effort to increase oversight and discipline in government spending, I have already vetoed millions of dollars in ‘pork’ projects. Access to Education The Superintendent of Education should be a cabinet-level position appointed by the governor to bring accountability to our education system. Robust charter schools allow parents to choose the best educational opportunities for their children. We need more. Recruiting new jobs and economic investment will do more to improve educational opportunity than simply sending more money from Columbia. Consolidating school districts in small counties will cut administrative overhead costs, paperwork, and duplication, and put more money and resources into the classrooms for children. Our goal should be to have a certified law enforcement resource officer, be it a policeman or deputy, in every single school – in all 46 counties. Their presence is the best deterrent to preventing violence and crime. With limited state budget resources, we should prioritize those resources toward rewarding, retaining, and recruiting the best teachers possible for the classrooms that need them the most. We know that the keys to a powerful education are good teachers and principals, a supportive home and community, and access to school-choice options with diverse, innovative learning environments. These include traditional public schools, charter schools, magnet programs, homeschooling, private school options and making distance learning available in every corner of the state. Expanding Our Workforce Incentive small businesses to participate with local high schools and school districts in apprenticeship programs for students interested in skilled trades. Develop cooperative credentialing agreements between various state regulatory licensing boards and branches of the armed services to make it easier for qualified military personnel to have their skilled professional certification recognized and approved by the state. This will allow veterans find jobs faster and more inexpensively in South Carolina. Expand workforce-training programs to the Department of Juvenile Justice and the Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services to reduce recidivism and crime The “Be Pro Be Proud” public awareness initiative wll provide information about training resources, currently available positions and descriptions, skills needed, and how to start the process of starting a skilled professional career. The initiative will showcase current skilled professionals’ true vocational pride, highlight the many career opportunities available within these trades, and provide necessary resources and training to those interested. Investing in our Infrastructure That is why we I am working to: Complete the deepening of Charleston Harbor to become the deepest port on the East Coast Explore I-73 public-private partnership for toll road construction from I-95 to Horry County Reform the Department of Transportation Commission Pension Reform Close the defined benefit pension plan and create 401(k)-style defined contribution retirement plans for NEW public employees. Create “contribution enhancements” to new 401(k)-style plan as recognition for employees’ years of service, promotions, or other criteria. Prohibit unfunded cost of living adjustments. Explore raising the age of retirement eligibility. Maintain our commitment to the 11.5% of South Carolina’s population that relies on state retirement systems, while protecting taxpayers from bearing any additional financial burden caused by inaction or indecision. Protect our Second Amendment No Refugees in South Carolina The SC Department of Social Services has made the formal request to block refugees from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen from settling in the state—keeping our families safe from harm. Healthcare Removing anti-free market mandates and regulations to allow investment, expansion and ingenuity to health care costs on South Carolina families. Repeal and Replace Obamacare. Combat the opioid crisis by strengthening law enforcement efforts; prevention through opioid database prescription reporting, increased access to treatment infrastructure, and increasing public awareness on the dangers of opioid-based drugs. Encourage healthy behaviors. Protecting Taxpayers from SCE&G's Failures However, South Carolinians have paid billions to finance the construction of nuclear reactors that may never be completed and now face the prospect of being charged even more to pay off billions of dollars in debt for SCE&G and Santee Cooper. I want to get the nuclear plants built – or get the people their money back. SCE&G must immediately stop charging customers the approximately $37 million per month from ratepayers for the abandoned project and begin refunding the money ratepayers have already paid. The sale of the State’s public utility Santee Cooper, which is currently saddled with $4.3 billion in debt from the project, is the only feasible solution to protect their customers from bearing the cost of this debt through rate increases.[15] |
” |
—McMaster for Governor[16] |
Notable endorsements
This section displays endorsements this individual made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope.
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Noteworthy events
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Coronavirus pandemic |
Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more.
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On December 22, 2020, McMaster announced he had tested positive for coronavirus.[17]
Affordable Care Act lawsuit (2010)
McMaster was one of 13 state attorneys general who initiated a 2010 lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The suit argued that the individual mandate fell outside of the federal government’s authority and that the requirement for state Medicaid expansion of coverage violated state sovereignty. The case was ultimately heard before the Supreme Court, which ruled to uphold the individual mandate as falling within Congress’ authority to levy taxes and struck down the Medicaid expansion as being unduly coercive in light of the withholding of funding that would result from noncompliance.[18]
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
McMaster and his wife, Peggy, have two children: Henry Jr. and Mary.[19]
See also
2022 Elections
External links
Candidate Governor of South Carolina |
Officeholder Governor of South Carolina |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Governor of South Carolina, "Governor's Biography," accessed December 8, 2024
- ↑ Legacy, "John Gregg McMaster," accessed December 8, 2024
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The State, "McMaster would bring different style to SC governor’s mansion," November 24, 2016
- ↑ McMaster Leadership Fund, "Governor Henry McMaster," accessed December 8, 2024
- ↑ Appalachian Regional Commission, "Governor Henry McMaster," accessed December 8, 2024
- ↑ The State, “From Reagan to Trump to a war on drugs, what you need to know about Henry McMaster,” October 29, 2018
- ↑ Live 5 WCSC, "AP: Henry McMaster elected lieutenant governor," November 5, 2014
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 The Associated Press, "McMaster launches final term at South Carolina inauguration," Jnauary 11, 2023
- ↑ Greenville Buisness Magazine, "Gov. Henry McMaster Sworn in for Final Term as Governor," January 11, 2023
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 South Carolina, "Governor's Biography," accessed May 13, 2021
- ↑ ColaDaily.com "Pat McKinney withdraws from lieutenant governor race," June 12, 2014
- ↑ South Carolina State Election Commission, "2010 Republican and Democratic Primary," June 22, 2010
- ↑ Even though Nikki Haley received the most votes, she failed to receive over 50% of those votes required by South Carolina state law. A runoff election between the top two vote recipients, therefore, was required to decide who went on to the general election.
- ↑ Even though Henry McMaster received the most votes, he failed to receive over 50% of those votes required by South Carolina state law. A runoff election between the top two vote recipients, therefore, was required to decide who went on to the general election.
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Internet Archive - McMaster for Governor, "Issues, archived July 10, 2018" accessed May 18, 2021
- ↑ Live 5 News, "McMaster tests positive for COVID-19," December 22, 2020
- ↑ SCOTUSblog, "Florida v. Department of Health and Human Services," accessed August 11, 2020
- ↑ National Governors Association, "Peggy McMaster," accessed May 13, 2021
Political offices | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Nikki Haley (R) |
Governor of South Carolina 2017-Present |
Succeeded by - |
Preceded by - |
Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina 2015-2017 |
Succeeded by - |
Preceded by - |
Attorney General of South Carolina 2003-2011 |
Succeeded by - |
Preceded by - |
United States District Court for the District of South Carolina 1981-1985 |
Succeeded by - |
|
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State of South Carolina Columbia (capital) |
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