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<APIWidget where="person.id = '21353'" template="Polinfobox" />{{tnr}}'''Henry McMaster''' (born May 27, 1947, in [[Columbia, South Carolina|Columbia]], [[South Carolina]]) is the [[Republican]] [[Governor of South Carolina|governor of South Carolina]]. McMaster succeeded former Governor [[Nikki Haley]] (R), who was confirmed as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations on January 24, 2017. McMaster {{Greener|start=1/1/2019|before=will serve|after=served}} out the remainder of Haley's term, which {{Greener|start=1/1/2019|before=expires|after=expired}} in January 2019.<ref name=Haley>[http://www.wistv.com/story/33779757/lt-gov-henry-mcmaster-set-to-become-117th-governor-of-sc ''WISTV,'' "Lt. Gov. Henry McMaster set to become 117th Governor of SC," accessed November 24, 2016]</ref><ref name=gov>[http://www.postandcourier.com/politics/state_politics/at-long-last-henry-mcmaster-is-south-carolina-s-governor/article_8e0f3068-e24f-11e6-a1ff-3f88b00cdd33.html ''The Post and Courier'', "At long last, Henry McMaster is South Carolina's governor," January 24, 2017]</ref>
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McMaster {{2018isrunning}} in the 2018 election.
McMaster was born in [[Columbia, South Carolina]], in 1947.<ref name="Governor Biography">[https://governor.sc.gov/governors-biography ''Governor of South Carolina'', "Governor's Biography," accessed December 8, 2024]</ref> His father, John Gregg McMaster, served two terms in the [[South Carolina House of Representatives]].<ref>[https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/thestate/name/john-mcmaster-obituary?id=12577522 ''Legacy'', "John Gregg McMaster," accessed December 8, 2024]</ref> McMaster received a bachelor’s degree in history and a J.D. from the University of South Carolina in 1969 and 1973, respectively.<ref name="Governor Biography">[https://governor.sc.gov/governors-biography ''Governor of South Carolina'', "Governor's Biography," accessed December 8, 2024]</ref> 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.<ref name="Governor Biography">[https://governor.sc.gov/governors-biography ''Governor of South Carolina'', "Governor's Biography," accessed December 8, 2024]</ref><ref name="McMaster would bring different style to SC governor’s mansion">[https://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/politics-columns-blogs/the-buzz/article116824988.html ''The State'', "McMaster would bring different style to SC governor’s mansion," November 24, 2016]</ref> McMaster also served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1969 to 1975.<ref>[https://henrymcmaster.com/about/ ''McMaster Leadership Fund'', "Governor Henry McMaster," accessed December 8, 2024]</ref>


McMaster previously served as the 91st [[Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina|lieutenant governor of South Carolina]]. He was elected in [[South Carolina Lieutenant Gubernatorial election, 2014|2014]] and was sworn into office on January 14, 2015.<ref>[http://www.thestate.com/2015/01/14/3927420/gov-haley-begins-inauguration.html ''The State'', "Gov. Haley begins Inauguration Day with prayer service," January 14, 2015]</ref><ref name=deadline>[https://info.scvotes.sc.gov/Eng/candidate/selectelection.aspx ''South Carolina Election Commission,'' "Candidate Tracking," March 31, 2014]</ref>
In 1981, President [[Ronald Reagan]] (R) appointed McMaster to serve as [[United States Attorney|United States attorney for the District of South Carolina]].<ref name="Governor Biography">[https://governor.sc.gov/governors-biography ''Governor of South Carolina'', "Governor's Biography," accessed December 8, 2024]</ref> During his four-year tenure, McMaster worked on Operation Jackpot, an investigation into international drug smuggling that resulted in more than 100 convictions.<ref>[https://arc.gov/staff/governor-henry-mcmaster/ ''Appalachian Regional Commission'', "Governor Henry McMaster," accessed December 8, 2024]</ref><ref name="Governor Biography">[https://governor.sc.gov/governors-biography ''Governor of South Carolina'', "Governor's Biography," accessed December 8, 2024]</ref>


Click [[ South Carolina gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018 (June 12 Republican primary)|'''here''']] for more information on the June 12 Republican primary election. Click [[ South Carolina gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018| '''here''']] for more information on the November 6 general election.
McMaster ran unsuccessfully for the [[United States Senate|U.S. Senate]] in 1986 and for [[Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina|lieutenant governor of South Carolina]] in 1990. In 1991, Gov. Carroll A. Campbell Jr. (R) appointed McMaster to the state [[Higher education in South Carolina, 1993-2016|Commission on Higher Education]].<ref name="Governor Biography">[https://governor.sc.gov/governors-biography ''Governor of South Carolina'', "Governor's Biography," accessed December 8, 2024]</ref> He served on the Board of Directors of the nonprofit South Carolina Policy Council from 1991 to 2003 and was chair from 1992 to 1993.<ref name="Governor Biography">[https://governor.sc.gov/governors-biography ''Governor of South Carolina'', "Governor's Biography," accessed December 8, 2024]</ref>


==Biography==
From 1993 to 2002, McMaster was the chair of the state’s [[Republican Party]].<ref name="Governor Biography">[https://governor.sc.gov/governors-biography ''Governor of South Carolina'', "Governor's Biography," accessed December 8, 2024]</ref> ''The State's'' Tom Barton wrote that as chair, McMaster “led the party to Republican majorities in South Carolina’s House and [[South Carolina Senate|Senate]].”<ref name="From Reagan to Trump to a war on drugs, what you need to know about Henry McMaster">[https://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/article220544160.html ''The State'', “From Reagan to Trump to a war on drugs, what you need to know about Henry McMaster,” October 29, 2018]</ref> As of 2024, Republicans maintained the [[State government trifectas#South Carolina|majorities]] they won in the state House in 1994 and the state Senate in 2000.
Prior to pursuing his education in law, McMaster joined the United States Army Reserve, receiving his honorable discharge in 1975. Upon receiving his law degree, he worked as a legislative assistant to [[U.S. Senate|U.S. Sen.]] Strom Thurmond in Washington D.C. McMaster remained there until 1974 when he returned to the private sector in his home state and served as a partner in the law firm of Tompkins & McMaster. He was admitted to practice before the federal Court of Claims in 1974, the [[United States District Court for the District of South Carolina|United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit]] in 1975, and, in 1978&mdash;upon motion of Senator Thurmond&mdash;the [[United States Supreme Court|Supreme Court of the United States]].<ref name=bio>[http://www.scstatehouse.gov/member.php?code=1298295299 ''South Carolina State House'', "Former Senator Henry D. McMaster," accessed June 26, 2018]</ref>
 
In [[Henry McMaster#2002|2002]], McMaster was elected [[Attorney General of South Carolina|South Carolina attorney general]] after defeating Steve Benjamin (D) 55.5%-44.5%. He was re-elected in [[Henry_McMaster#2006|2006]] after running unopposed. ''The State’s'' Cynthia Roldán, Sammy Fretwell, and Cassie Cope wrote that 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.<ref name="McMaster would bring different style to SC governor’s mansion">[https://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/politics-columns-blogs/the-buzz/article116824988.html ''The State'', "McMaster would bring different style to SC governor’s mansion," November 24, 2016]</ref>


Upon recommendation from Senator Thurmond, McMaster was nominated by President Ronald Reagan to serve as United States Attorney for the District of [[South Carolina]] in 1981, making him the first United States Attorney in the country to be appointed by Reagan. During his four-year tenure, he directed ''Operation: Jackpot'', the first investigation into international drug smuggling operations within the United States to use the financial team approach. This resulted in the conviction of over 100 people for the importation of almost one billion dollars worth of illegal narcotics.<ref name=bio/><ref>[http://www.islandpacket.com/news/local/crime/article166693552.html ''The Island Packet'', "Locals know Hilton Head’s past as a ‘gentlemen smugglers’ pot pipeline. Now the world might, too," September 15, 2017]</ref>
McMaster ran unsuccessfully in the [[South Carolina gubernatorial election, 2010|2010 Republican primary]] for [[Governor of South Carolina]], placing third of four candidates. In 2011, Gov. [[Nikki Haley]] (R) appointed McMaster to the South Carolina Ports Authority.<ref name="Governor Biography">[https://governor.sc.gov/governors-biography ''Governor of South Carolina'', "Governor's Biography," accessed December 8, 2024]</ref> McMaster was elected lieutenant governor in [[South Carolina Lieutenant Gubernatorial election, 2014|2014]] after defeating [[Bakari Sellers]] (D) 58.8%-41.1%. This was the last election in which the state's lieutenant governor and governor ran on separate tickets. In 2018, [[South Carolina Gubernatorial Elections, Amendment 1 (2012)|Amendment 1]], which voters approved in 2012, took effect, allowing gubernatorial candidates to pick their running mates.<ref>[https://www.live5news.com/story/27277119/ap-henry-mcmaster-elected-lieutenant-governor/ ''Live 5 WCSC'', "AP: Henry McMaster elected lieutenant governor," November 5, 2014]</ref>


McMaster received the [[Republican]] nomination in 1986 in his campaign for the [[United States Senate]]; he was ultimately defeated by [[Democratic]] incumbent Senator Ernest F. "Fritz" Hollings. Four years later, he lost his bid for lieutenant governor. In 1991, McMaster was nominated by then-[[Governor of South Carolina|Governor]] Carroll A. Campbell, Jr. to serve on the Commission on Higher Education; he was later confirmed by the [[South Carolina State Legislature]].<ref>[https://www.postandcourier.com/news/it-s-no-secret-henry-mcmaster-has-always-wanted-to/article_ddfeb632-e40e-11e6-929b-bb70de2bb8dd.html ''The Post and Courier'', "It's no secret: Henry McMaster has 'always wanted to be governor'," January 29, 2017]</ref>
In 2017, McMaster was sworn in as governor after President [[Donald Trump]] (R) appointed Haley as [[U.S. Mission to the United Nations|U.S. ambassador to the United Nations]].<ref name="Governor Biography">[https://governor.sc.gov/governors-biography ''Governor of South Carolina'', "Governor's Biography," accessed December 8, 2024]</ref> He won a full term as governor in [[South Carolina gubernatorial election, 2018|2018]], defeating [[James Smith Jr.]] (D) 54% to 45.9%. In [[South Carolina gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2022|2022]], he won re-election to a second term after defeating [[Joe Cunningham]] (D) 58% 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.<ref name="McMaster launches final term at South Carolina inauguration">[https://apnews.com/article/politics-south-carolina-state-government-henry-mcmaster-nikki-haley-233e2309089de8165378c09d3eb9e0b6 ''The Associated Press'', "McMaster launches final term at South Carolina inauguration," Jnauary 11, 2023]</ref> 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.”<ref>[https://www.greenvillebusinessmag.com/2023/01/11/423706/gov-henry-mcmaster-sworn-in-for-final-term-as-governor ''Greenville Buisness Magazine'', "Gov. Henry McMaster Sworn in for Final Term as Governor," January 11, 2023]</ref>


Prior to his tenure as lieutenant governor, McMaster served two terms as [[South Carolina Attorney General|attorney general]] of South Carolina. He was first elected to the position in 2002 and won re-election in 2006. Though he was eligible to run for a third term, he instead announced his candidacy for the state's [[South Carolina gubernatorial election, 2010|2010 gubernatorial election]].<ref name=pol>[http://www.politico.com/blogs/scorecard/0809/McMaster_launches_SC_gov_bid_with_Sanford_swipe.html ''Politico'', "McMaster launches S.C. gov bid with Sanford swipe" 24 Aug. 2009]</ref> He was defeated in the [[June 8, 2010 election results|June 8]] [[Republican]] primary and endorsed one of his opponents, then-state Rep. [[Nikki Haley]], for the governorship.<ref name=nrw>[http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/06/14/mcmaster-to-endorse-haley/ ''CNN'', "McMaster to endorse Haley," June 14, 2010]</ref>  
In 2020, McMaster became the oldest person to ever serve as governor of South Carolina.<ref>[https://apnews.com/general-news-e3994f06ae3d130782009918a51d2905 ''Associated Press'', "McMaster now the oldest governor South Carolina has ever had," February 16, 2020]</ref> In 2025, he became the state's longest-serving governor.<ref>[https://apnews.com/article/south-carolina-governor-henry-mcmaster-98169fee88ec4287087c25f692e9c5ce ''Associated Press'', "South Carolina’s McMaster is now the longest serving governor at the job he loves," January 29, 2025]</ref><ref name="McMaster launches final term at South Carolina inauguration">[https://apnews.com/article/politics-south-carolina-state-government-henry-mcmaster-nikki-haley-233e2309089de8165378c09d3eb9e0b6 ''The Associated Press'', "McMaster launches final term at South Carolina inauguration," January 11, 2023]</ref> Due to [[States with gubernatorial term limits|term limits]], South Carolina governors can only serve two consecutive terms.
==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.<ref name=Bio>[https://governor.sc.gov/governors-biography ''South Carolina'', "Governor's Biography," accessed May 13, 2021]</ref>  


===Education===
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 [[Donald Trump|Trump administration]], McMaster became governor of the state in 2017.<ref name=Bio/>
*Bachelor's degree, University of [[South Carolina]] (1969)
*J.D., University of [[South Carolina]] School of Law (1973)
*Completed the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (1974)


==Political career==
==Political career==
===Governor of South Carolina (2017 - Present)===
<BPW widget="profile/political-career" person="21353" />
McMaster was sworn in as [[Governor of South Carolina|governor of South Carolina]] on January 24, 2017, minutes after former Governor [[Nikki Haley]]'s confirmation vote as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. He will serve out the remainder of Haley's term, which expires in January 2019.<ref name=gov/>
 
===Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina (2015-2017)===
McMaster was first elected lieutenant governor in 2014, and was inaugurated the following January for a four-year term in office.
 
===Attorney General of South Carolina (2003-2011)===
McMaster was first elected to the attorney general position in 2002 and won a second term in 2006. He opted not to seek re-election in 2010 in order to pursue a bid for [[South Carolina Governor|governor]], which was not successful. He left office when his second term expired in January 2011.
 
==Other roles==
*Board of Directors, [[South Carolina]] Policy Council <small>'''(1991-2003)'''</small>
*Member, [[Republican]] National Committee <small>'''(1993-2002)'''</small>
*Chair, [[South Carolina]] [[Republican Party]] <small>'''(1993-2002)'''</small>
*Member, Columbia Rotary Club
*Member, First Presbyterian Church in Columbia
*Member, Saint Andrews Society


==Elections==
==Elections==
===2022===
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===2018===
===2018===
::''See also: [[South Carolina gubernatorial election, 2018]]''
::''See also: [[South Carolina gubernatorial election, 2018]]''
====General election====
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{{South Carolina state executive elections, 2018|office=Governor of South Carolina Election}}
<!--
====Democratic primary election====
{{South Carolina state executive elections, 2018|office=Governor of South Carolina Democratic Primary}}
====Republican primary runoff election====
{{South Carolina state executive elections, 2018|office=Governor of South Carolina Republican Primary Runoff}}
{{Greener|start=6/28/2018|before=
====Republican primary runoff overview====
{{#lst:South Carolina gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018 (June 26 Republican primary runoff)|intro}}|after=}}
 
====Republican primary election====
{{South Carolina state executive elections, 2018|office=Governor of South Carolina Republican Primary}}
 
====Endorsements====
====Endorsements====
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{{#lsth: South Carolina gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018 (June 12 Republican primary)|Campaign finance}}
{{#lsth: South Carolina gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018 (June 12 Republican primary)|Campaign finance}}
====Campaign ads====
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{{#lst:South Carolina gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018 (June 12 Republican primary)|mcmasterads}}
{{#lst:South Carolina gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018 (June 12 Republican primary)|mcmasterads}}
 
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===2014===
===2014===
:''See also: [[South Carolina Lieutenant Gubernatorial election, 2014]]''
::''See also: [[South Carolina Lieutenant Gubernatorial election, 2014]]''
 
====Primary election====
McMaster {{2014isrunning}} for [[South Carolina Lieutenant Gubernatorial election, 2014|election]] to the office of [[South Carolina Lieutenant Governor]]. McMaster came first in the primary on June 10 and finished ahead of [[Mike Campbell]] in the runoff on June 24. {{Nov2014genelection}}<ref name=deadline/>
====Results====
=====Primary election=====
{{SCRepPrimaryLtGov2014electbox}}
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=====Primary runoff=====
====Primary runoff====
{{SCRepRunoffLtGov2014electbox}}
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=====General election=====
====General election====
{{SCLtGov2014GeneralResults}}
{{SCLtGov2014GeneralResults}}
===2010===
===2010===
:: ''See also: [[South Carolina gubernatorial election, 2010]]''
:: ''See also: [[South Carolina gubernatorial election, 2010]]''
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{| border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #a3bfb1 solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
{| border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #a3bfb1 solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
|- style="background-color:#CC0000; color: white;"
|- style="background-color:#CC0000; color: white;"
! colspan="5" | 2010 Race for Governor - [[Republican]] Primary<ref>[http://www.enr-scvotes.org/SC/16117/27822/en/summary.html South Carolina State Election Commission - 2010 Republican and Democratic Primary]</ref>
! colspan="5" | 2010 Race for Governor - [[Republican]] Primary<ref>[http://www.enr-scvotes.org/SC/16117/27822/en/summary.html ''South Carolina State Election Commission'',  "2010 Republican and Democratic Primary," June 22, 2010]</ref>
|-bgcolor="#cef2e0 align="center"
|-bgcolor="#cef2e0 align="center"
! colspan="2" style="width: 17em" |Candidates
! colspan="2" style="width: 17em" |Candidates
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|-
|-
| colspan="2" | [[Image:Green_check_mark.jpg|14px]] '''[[Nikki Haley|Nikki R. Haley]] (R)'''
| colspan="2" | [[Image:Green_check_mark.jpg|14px]] '''[[Nikki Haley|Nikki R. Haley]] (R)'''
| align="right" | '''48.9%'''<ref>Even though [[Nikki Haley]] received the most votes, she failed to receive over fifty percent 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.</ref>
| align="right" | '''48.9%'''<ref>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.</ref>
|-
|-
| colspan="2" | [[J. Gresham Barrett|Gresham Barrett]] (R)
| colspan="2" | [[J. Gresham Barrett|Gresham Barrett]] (R)
Line 104: Line 81:
| align="right"            | '''422,251'''
| align="right"            | '''422,251'''
|}
|}
<!--
====Race background====
====Race background====
After the admission of an extramarital affair by [[Governor of South Carolina|Governor]] [[Mark Sanford (South Carolina)|Mark Sanford]], the [[South Carolina gubernatorial election, 2010|2010 gubernatorial election]], the first open one in [[South Carolina]] since 1994, became hotly contested. McMaster officially announced his candidacy for the [[Republican]] nomination on August 24, 2009, and challenged [[Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina|Lieutenant Governor]] André Bauer, Congressman Gresham Barrett, State Senator [[Lawrence Grooms|Larry Grooms]], and State Representative [[Nikki Haley]] in the run up to the primary election on June 8, 2010.<ref name=pol/>
After the admission of an extramarital affair by [[Governor of South Carolina|Governor]] [[Mark Sanford (South Carolina)|Mark Sanford]], the [[South Carolina gubernatorial election, 2010|2010 gubernatorial election]], the first open one in [[South Carolina]] since 1994, became hotly contested. McMaster officially announced his candidacy for the [[Republican]] nomination on August 24, 2009, and challenged [[Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina|Lieutenant Governor]] André Bauer, Congressman Gresham Barrett, State Senator [[Lawrence Grooms|Larry Grooms]], and State Representative [[Nikki Haley]] in the run up to the primary election on June 8, 2010.<ref name=pol/>
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A week after placing third in the state's [[June 8, 2010 election results|June 8]] primary contest with close to 17 percent of the vote, McMaster endorsed State Representative [[Nikki Haley]] in the [[Republican]] primary runoff contest on June 22, 2010.<ref name=nrw/> State political experts claimed the endorsement would enhance Haley's odds of winning the party nomination by putting "greater distance between her and Gresham Barrett, another establishment figure as a sitting congressman who was endorsed early on by the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce."<ref>[http://www.statenewsshot.com/?p=7252 ''State News Shot'', "SC: Experts – AG Endorsement Will Widen Nikki Haley’s Lead," June 16, 2010]</ref>
A week after placing third in the state's [[June 8, 2010 election results|June 8]] primary contest with close to 17 percent of the vote, McMaster endorsed State Representative [[Nikki Haley]] in the [[Republican]] primary runoff contest on June 22, 2010.<ref name=nrw/> State political experts claimed the endorsement would enhance Haley's odds of winning the party nomination by putting "greater distance between her and Gresham Barrett, another establishment figure as a sitting congressman who was endorsed early on by the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce."<ref>[http://www.statenewsshot.com/?p=7252 ''State News Shot'', "SC: Experts – AG Endorsement Will Widen Nikki Haley’s Lead," June 16, 2010]</ref>
-->


===2006===
===2006===
*'''2006 Race for Attorney General - [[Republican]] Primary'''
**Henry McMaster ran unopposed in this contest


{{SEO election history box
{{SEO election history box
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|new =No
|new =No
|year = 2006
|year = 2006
|Office=  South Carolina Attorney General
|Office=  South Carolina attorney general
|party1=  Republican
|party1=  Republican
|winner1 = Henry McMaster
|winner1 = Henry McMaster
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|-
|-
| colspan="2" | [[Image:Green_check_mark.jpg|14px]] '''Henry McMaster (R)'''
| colspan="2" | [[Image:Green_check_mark.jpg|14px]] '''Henry McMaster (R)'''
| align="right" | '''42.4%'''<ref>Even though Henry McMaster received the most votes, he failed to receive over fifty percent 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.</ref>
| align="right" | '''42.4%'''<ref>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.</ref>
|-
|-
| colspan="2" | Larry Richter (R)
| colspan="2" | Larry Richter (R)
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|new =Yes
|new =Yes
|year = 2002
|year = 2002
|Office=  South Carolina Attorney General
|Office=  South Carolina attorney general
|party1= Republican
|party1= Republican
|winner1 =  Henry McMaster
|winner1 =  Henry McMaster
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|ref = [http://www.scvotes.org/statistics/election_returns_from_primaries_and_general_elections_statewide South Carolina State Election Commission]
|ref = [http://www.scvotes.org/statistics/election_returns_from_primaries_and_general_elections_statewide South Carolina State Election Commission]
}}<br>
}}<br>
==Presidential preference==
{{2016 presidential endorsement
|Last name=McMaster
|Endorser title=Lt. Gov.
|Endorser party=Republican
|Candidate=Donald Trump
|Candidate party=Republican
|Date=January 2016
|Source=[http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/27/politics/donald-trump-endorsement-south-carolina-henry-mcmaster/index.html CNN]
|Ref=<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/27/politics/donald-trump-endorsement-south-carolina-henry-mcmaster/index.html ''CNN Politics'', "South Carolina's lieutenant governor endorses Trump," January 28, 2016]</ref>
}}
==Noteworthy events==
===Gov. Haley nominated to be UN Ambassador===
On November 23, 2016, [[Donald Trump]] announced that he had offered Gov. Nikki Haley the position of UN ambassador under his administration. Haley then confirmed that she had accepted the nomination. As lieutenant governor, McMaster was positioned to assume the governorship following Haley's confirmation.<ref>[http://www.wistv.com/story/33778360/gov-nikki-haley-accepts-offer-to-be-trumps-un-ambassador ''WISTV,'' "Gov. Nikki Haley accepts offer to be Trump's U.N. Ambassador," accessed November 24, 2016]</ref>
McMaster praised Trump's selection of Haley: {{quote|Today is indeed a great day for South Carolina. In selecting Governor Nikki Haley to serve as United States Ambassador to the United Nations, {{Greener
| start=1/20/2017 12:00pm EST
| before= President-elect
| after= President
}} Donald Trump has again demonstrated his determination to make America greater than ever before. [...] Governor Haley will be an inspiration to all who believe in the American dream, at home and around the world. South Carolina is bursting with talent, and today we swell with pride that one of our daughters is preparing to step into history on the world stage. Mrs. McMaster joins me in offering our heartiest congratulations.<ref name=Haley/>}}
===Affordable Care Act opposition===
:: ''See also: [[State Attorneys General Against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010]]''
Following the passage of President [[Barack Obama]]'s healthcare reform legislation in 2009, McMaster joined 13 other [[Republican]] state attorneys general in questioning the constitutionality of a provision within the Senate version of the bill and exploring potential legal challenges to the measure as well. The attorneys general alleged that [[United States Senate]] Majority Leader [[Harry Reid]] struck a deal with [[Nebraska]] Senator Ben Nelson to recruit him as the 60th vote needed to pass the measure. The deal allegedly gave [[Nebraska]] exemption from its share of the Medicaid expansion, which, according to ''Politico'', was "expected to cost the federal government $100 million over 10 years."<ref name=NEdeal/> Nearly a week and a half later, Senator Nelson called upon McMaster to "call off the dogs" and forgo any legal action until negotiations in Congress over the final health care bill had concluded.<ref name=NEdeal>[http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0110/31100.html ''Politico'', "Ben Nelson to Henry McMaster: 'Call off the dogs'" 4 Jan. 2010]</ref>
The morning after the [[United States House of Representatives]] narrowly passed the Senate reconciliation bill, allowing the Affordable Care Act to move forward, McMaster announced his intention to join with [[Florida Attorney General]] [[Bill McCollum]] in challenging the legislation, which he described as "clearly unconstitutional." According to a report by ABC 15 News, McMaster argued that "the measure violates state sovereignty because it requires all Americans have some form of health insurance."<ref>[http://www.carolinalive.com/news/story.aspx?id=432844 ''Carolina Live'', "SC AG again promises to challenge health care bill" 22 March, 2010]</ref>
In a 7-2 ruling on June 28, 2012, the [[U.S. Supreme Court]] upheld the legality of the law's individual mandate, which introduced tax penalties for those without health insurance. The court ruled that the provision in the law mandating that states expand their [[Medicaid]] programs was unconstitutional, leaving state governments with the ability to decide whether to expand [[Medicaid]].<ref>[https://www.kff.org/health-reform/issue-brief/a-guide-to-the-supreme-courts-decision/ ''Kaiser Family Foundation'', "A Guide to the Supreme Court’s Decision on the ACA’s Medicaid Expansion," August 1, 2012]</ref>


==[[Campaign themes]]==
==[[Campaign themes]]==
===2022===
<APIWidget where='candidates.id="121261" order by sortfield' template="CandidateConnection"/>
===2018===
===2018===
====Campaign website====
====Campaign website====
The following themes were found on McMaster's campaign website:
The following themes were listed on McMaster's campaign website:
{{#lst: South Carolina gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018 (June 12 Republican primary)| mcmasterissues}}
{{#lst: South Carolina gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018 (June 12 Republican primary)| mcmasterissues}}
==Notable endorsements==
<APIWidget where='endorser_person =21353 '  template='EndorsementsByEndorser'  />
==Campaign finance summary==
<APIWidget where='people.id=21353' template='CampaignFinanceSummary' />
==[[Noteworthy events]]==
===Tested positive for coronavirus (2020)===
{{Covid VNT small}}


==Campaign donors==
::''See also: [[Politicians, candidates, and government officials diagnosed with or quarantined due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020]]''
{{Comprehensive donor history
On December 22, 2020, McMaster announced he had tested positive for coronavirus.<ref>[https://www.live5news.com/2020/12/22/mcmaster-tests-positive-covid-/ ''Live 5 News'', "McMaster tests positive for COVID-19," December 22, 2020]</ref>
|Name=McMaster
|year=2014
|Editdate=April 25, 2015
|link=<ref>[http://www.followthemoney.org/entity-details?eid=6602459&default=candidate  ''Follow the Money,'' "Career fundraising for McMaster, Henry D.," accessed June 18, 2015]</ref>
|party=Republican
|totalraised2014=925645
|result2014=Won
|office2014=[[South Carolina lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2014|South Carolina Lieutenant Governor]]
|totalraised2010=3256048
|result2010=Lost
|office2010=South Carolina Lieutenant Governor
|totalraised2006=800034
|result2006=Won
|office2006=South Carolina Attorney General
|totalraised2002=729249
|result2002=Won
|office2002=South Carolina Attorney General
}}


===2014===
{{Coronavirus 2020
{{SEO donor box
|Status=Positive
|candidate=Henry McMaster
|Date=December 22, 2020
|year1=2014
|Description=McMaster announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus.<ref>[https://www.live5news.com/2020/12/22/mcmaster-tests-positive-covid-/ ''Live 5 News'', "McMaster tests positive for COVID-19," December 22, 2020]</ref>
|office1=South Carolina Lieutenant Governor
|Title=Governor of South Carolina
|political party1=Republican
|State=South Carolina
|total raised1= $925,645
|Level=State
|opponent1=$492,977 (Dem)
|top donor1=Henry D. McMaster
|top donor1 amount=$116,862
|second donor1=Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina
|second donor1 amount=$10,500
|third donor1=Harrie Patterson McWhirter
|third donor1 amount=$10,500
|fourth donor1=Southeastern Freight Lines
|fourth donor1 amount=$7,000
|fifth donor1=Collums Lumber
|fifth donor1 amount=$7,000
|individuals1=$638,557
|institutions1=$287,088
|instate1=$837,528
|outstate1=$88,117
}}
}}
===2006===
{| style="float:right;"  border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #a3bfb1 solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
|- style="background-color:#CC0000; color: white;"
! colspan="5" | 2006 Race for Attorney General - Campaign Contributions
|-
| colspan="2" | '''Total Raised'''
| align="center" | $800,034
|-
| colspan="2" | '''Total Raised by Primary Opponent'''
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| colspan="2" | '''Total Raised by Gen. Election Opponent'''
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| colspan="2" rowspan="5"| '''Top 5 Contributors'''
| align="center" | Dikran N. Yacoubian $3,500 (0.64% of Total)<br>
|-
| align="center" | E. Bart Daniel $3,500 (0.64%)<br>
|-
| align="center" | David E. Dukes $3,500 (0.64%)<br>
|-
| align="center" | Progress Energy $3,500 (0.64%)<br>
|-
| align="center" | Straight Talk America $3,500 (0.64%)
|-
| colspan="2" rowspan="2" | '''Individuals v. Institutions'''
| align="center" | $325,985 (59.8%)
|-
| align="center" | $210,400 (38.6%)
|-
| colspan="2" rowspan="2" | '''In v. Outside State'''
| align="center" | $439,235 (80.7%)
|-
| align="center" | $105,250 (19.3%)
|}
==2016 Republican National Convention==
::''See also: [[Republican National Convention, 2016]]''
McMaster {{Greener | start=7/21/2016 11:00pm EST|before= is| after= was}} [[Types of delegates|an at-large delegate]] to the [[Republican National Convention, 2016|2016 Republican National Convention]] from [[Presidential election in South Carolina, 2016|South Carolina]].
===Delegate rules===
{{SC delegate guidelines, 2016}}
===South Carolina primary results===
::''See also: [[Presidential election in South Carolina, 2016]]''
{{SCR2016}}


===Delegate allocation===
{{PPACAAGlawsuit|Name=McMaster}}
::''See also: [[2016 presidential nominations: calendar and delegate rules]]''
{{SC GOP delegates 2016}}


==Personal==
==Personal==
McMaster currently resides in [[South Carolina]] with his wife, Peggy Jean McAbee. They have two children, Henry Jr. and Mary Rogers. McMaster is also a practicing member of the First Presbyterian Church located in Columbia, [[South Carolina]].
{{Personal disclaimer}}
 
==Awards==
*Public Servant of the Year Award (2004) from the [[Sierra Club]]
*National Law Enforcement Official Of The Year Award (2005) from the Humane Society of the United States
 
==Recent news==
 
This section links to a Google news search for the term "'''Henry + McMaster + South + Carolina + Lieutenant'''"


{{RSS|feed=http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&gl=us&q=Henry+McMaster+South+Carolina+Lieutenant&um=1&ie=UTF-8&output=rss|template=slpfeed|max=10|title=Henry McMaster News Feed}}
McMaster and his wife, Peggy, have two children: Henry Jr. and Mary.<ref>[https://www.nga.org/governor-spouse/peggy-mcmaster/ ''National Governors Association'', "Peggy McMaster," accessed May 13, 2021]</ref>
==Contact information==


State House, 1st Floor<BR>
P.O. Box 142<BR>
Columbia, South Carolina 29202<BR>
Phone:803-734-2080<BR>
Fax:803-734-2082<BR>
E-mail: ltgov@scsenate.org
==See also==
==See also==
{{StateExecSeeAlso
<!--REPLACE SEE ALSO START-->
|State=South Carolina
{{SeeAlsoCandidates2022|State=South Carolina}}
}}
<!--REPLACE SEE ALSO END-->
*[[Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina]]
*[[Lieutenant Governor]]
*[[South Carolina Lieutenant Gubernatorial election, 2014]]
*[[Governor of South Carolina]]
*[[South Carolina gubernatorial election, 2010]]


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://ltgov.sc.gov/Pages/default.aspx Office of the South Carolina Lieutenant Governor]
<APIWidget template="ExternalLinksPeople" where="people.id=21353"/>
*[https://www.facebook.com/HenryMcMaster/ Henry McMaster's Facebook profile]
*[http://twitter.com/HenryMcmaster Henry McMaster's Twitter account]
*[http://www.henrymcmaster.com/ Henry McMaster's law firm website]
*[http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=48189 Project Vote Smart - Henry McMaster biography]


==Footnotes==
==Footnotes==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|2}}
<APIWidget where="people.id=21353" template="OfficeholdersSuccessionBox" />


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{{succession box | before = [[John McGill]] (D)| title = [[Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina]] | years = 2015-2017| after = NA}}
{{succession box | before = Charlie Condon |title = [[South Carolina Attorney General]] | years = 2003&ndash;2011 | after = [[Michael Alan Wilson]] (R)}}
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{{Current governors}}
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{{2014 state executive election}}
{{2022 state executive election}}
{{South Carolina}}
{{South Carolina}}
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<APIWidget where="people.id=21353" template="PersonCategories"/>
[[Category:South Carolina]]
[[Category:South Carolina]]
[[Category:Republican Party]]
[[Category:Republican Party]]
[[Category:Current governors]]
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[[Category: Enhanced introduction]]

Latest revision as of 13:56, 5 November 2025

Henry McMaster
Governor of South Carolina
Tenure
2017 - Present
Term ends
2027
Years in position
9
Predecessor: Nikki Haley (R)
Prior offices:
Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina
Years in office: 2015 - 2017

Attorney General of South Carolina
Years in office: 2003 - 2011

United States District Court for the District of South Carolina
Years in office: 1981 - 1985
Compensation
Base salary
$106,078
Elections and appointments
Last election
November 8, 2022
Education
Bachelor's
University of South Carolina, 1969
Law
University of South Carolina School of Law, 1973
Contact

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 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 was chair from 1992 to 1993.[1]

From 1993 to 2002, McMaster was the 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 South Carolina attorney general after defeating Steve Benjamin (D) 55.5%-44.5%. He was re-elected in 2006 after running unopposed. The State’s Cynthia Roldán, Sammy Fretwell, and Cassie Cope wrote that 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 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%-41.1%. This was the last election in which the state's lieutenant governor and governor ran on separate tickets. In 2018, Amendment 1, which voters approved in 2012, took effect, allowing gubernatorial candidates to pick their running mates.[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, 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% 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]

In 2020, McMaster became the oldest person to ever serve as governor of South Carolina.[10] In 2025, he became the state's longest-serving governor.[11][8] Due to term limits, South Carolina governors can only serve two consecutive terms.

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.[12]

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.[12]

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:

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
Image of Henry McMaster
Henry McMaster (R)
 
58.0
 
988,501
Image of Joe Cunningham
Joe Cunningham (D)
 
40.7
 
692,691
Image of Morgan Bruce Reeves
Morgan Bruce Reeves (L)
 
1.2
 
20,826
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1
 
1,174

Total votes: 1,703,192
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

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
Image of Joe Cunningham
Joe Cunningham
 
56.4
 
102,473
Image of Mia McLeod
Mia McLeod
 
31.1
 
56,406
Image of Carlton Boyd
Carlton Boyd
 
5.3
 
9,579
Image of William Williams
William Williams
 
3.8
 
6,829
Image of Calvin McMillan
Calvin McMillan
 
3.5
 
6,303

Total votes: 181,590
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

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
Image of Henry McMaster
Henry McMaster
 
83.3
 
306,543
Image of Harrison Musselwhite
Harrison Musselwhite Candidate Connection
 
16.7
 
61,462

Total votes: 368,005
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

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)
Image of Michael Copland
Michael Copland (Independence Party)

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Labor Party convention

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

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
Image of Morgan Bruce Reeves
Morgan Bruce Reeves (L)

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2018

See also: South Carolina gubernatorial election, 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
Image of Henry McMaster
Henry McMaster (R)
 
54.0
 
921,342
Image of James Smith Jr.
James Smith Jr. (D)
 
45.9
 
784,182
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1
 
2,045

Total votes: 1,707,569
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

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
Image of Henry McMaster
Henry McMaster
 
53.6
 
184,286
John Warren
 
46.4
 
159,349

Total votes: 343,635
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

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
Image of James Smith Jr.
James Smith Jr.
 
61.8
 
148,633
Image of Marguerite Willis
Marguerite Willis
 
27.5
 
66,248
Image of Phil Noble
Phil Noble
 
10.6
 
25,587

Total votes: 240,468
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

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
Image of Henry McMaster
Henry McMaster
 
42.3
 
155,723
John Warren
 
27.8
 
102,390
Image of Catherine Templeton
Catherine Templeton
 
21.4
 
78,705
Image of Kevin Bryant
Kevin Bryant
 
6.7
 
24,790
Image of John McGill
John McGill
 
1.7
 
6,375

Total votes: 367,983
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2014

See also: South Carolina Lieutenant Gubernatorial election, 2014

Primary election

Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina, Republican Primary, 2014
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngHenry McMaster 43.6% 131,546
Green check mark transparent.pngMike Campbell 23.9% 72,204
Pat McKinney (withdrew)[13] 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
Green check mark transparent.pngHenry McMaster 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 Green check mark transparent.pngHenry McMaster 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

See also: South Carolina gubernatorial election, 2010
2010 Race for Governor - Republican Primary[14]
Candidates Percentage
Green check mark.jpg Nikki R. Haley (R) 48.9%[15]
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 Green check mark transparent.pngHenry McMaster Incumbent 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
Green check mark.jpg Henry McMaster (R) 42.4%[16]
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
Green check mark.jpg Henry McMaster (R) 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 Green check mark transparent.pngHenry McMaster 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
I believe we need good-paying jobs for South Carolinians, and that’s why I’m fighting for a better economy that will create more jobs and better-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
Nothing kills economic prosperity quicker than raising taxes. That is why I am a proponent of a flatter, simpler, and broader tax code and have already cut taxes by double digits on small business owners. Our tax burden must be lowered—Act 388 has placed an unsustainable burden on small businesses.

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
I believe human life begins at conception. That is why I have issued an executive order prohibiting taxpayer dollars from being used to fund abortion providers like Planned Parenthood. I believe abstinence-first education should be the official policy in all public schools in the state and am working to get the Personhood Act signed into law.

Cutting Regulations and Red Tape
I believe we have too many regulations and too much red tape keeping our economy from prospering. To that end, I have issued an executive order for state agencies that establishes a framework to promote responsible regulation and find ways to reduce unnecessary regulations. I’m also meeting with local business leaders across our state to discuss the crippling regulations and red tape they face so I can push for their repeal and elimination.

It’s time to shrink the government and unleash and facilitate the innovation, investment, vision, creativity, and prosperity of South Carolina.

NO Sanctuary Cities
I stand firmly against Sanctuary Cities in South Carolina, and that is why I am doing everything in my power to prevent them from ever coming.

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
Religious freedom is the cornerstone of our nation and an America that does not let people exercise their freedom of religion isn’t truly free. Every South Carolinian has the right to practice their faith without fear of persecution and I will always preserve and protect the rights afforded to us by the First Amendment.

Slash the Budget
I believe we need to slash our budget and save taxpayers money. We can start by:

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
If South Carolina is to remain competitive for future economic development and investment, then our students from all 46 counties must be ready to compete. This is why we are meeting with educators, principals, teachers, parents, and students to chart the strongest path forward so our children can get the education they need to compete in a knowledge-based economy and world. I propose the following to get us there:

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
I believe we need to grow our workforce so we can get people out of poverty and pursuing opportunity.

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
South Carolina’s infrastructure – our port, roads, and railways – is the engine for our continued economic growth.

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
We need pension reform. Right now South Carolina’s public employee pension plan has $20+ billion in unfunded liability. That is why I’ve taken the first steps to fix our broken retirement systems and ensure long-term sustainability. By incorporating the following we can continue to prosper while still taking care of our state employees.

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
I believe that owning a firearm is the protected right of every American citizen. I will defend the United States Constitution by opposing any encroachment on the rights of law-abiding citizens to own a gun and use it as permitted by state and federal law and support constitutional carry initiatives.

No Refugees in South Carolina
We must protect our families first. In August, I made the decision to ensure that the federal government no longer resettle refugees in South Carolina from the six countries targeted by President Donald Trump’s travel ban until those resettlement processes can be made safe, sound, and secure.

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
Our healthcare system needs a lot of work, and ensuring health care access and affordability in South Carolina must be a priority. I believe we can achieve this through the following ways:

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
South Carolina’s bright economic future and continued job growth require an abundant supply of clean and affordable energy. Without it, we are at a competitive disadvantage.

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.[17]

McMaster for Governor[18]

Notable endorsements

See also: Ballotpedia: Our approach to covering endorsements

This section displays endorsements this individual made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope.

Notable candidate endorsements by Henry McMaster
EndorseeElectionStageOutcome
Donald Trump  source  (Conservative Party, R) President of the United States (2024) PrimaryWon General
Nancy Mace  source  (R) U.S. House South Carolina District 1 (2024) PrimaryWon General
William Timmons  source  (R) U.S. House South Carolina District 4 (2024) PrimaryWon General
Donald Trump  source  (R) President of the United States (2016) PrimaryWon General

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.


Henry McMaster campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2022Governor of South CarolinaWon general$7,739,870 $7,567,913
2014South Carolina Lieutenant GovernorWon $925,645 N/A**
2010South Carolina Lieutenant GovernorLost $3,256,048 N/A**
2006South Carolina Attorney GeneralWon $800,034 N/A**
2002South Carolina Attorney GeneralWon $729,249 N/A**
Grand total$13,450,846 $7,567,913
Sources: OpenSecretsFederal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Noteworthy events

Tested positive for coronavirus (2020)

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Coronavirus pandemic
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See also: Politicians, candidates, and government officials diagnosed with or quarantined due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

On December 22, 2020, McMaster announced he had tested positive for coronavirus.[19]

Affordable Care Act lawsuit (2010)

See also: State Attorneys General Against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 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.[20]

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.[21]

See also


External links

Footnotes

  1. 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
  2. Legacy, "John Gregg McMaster," accessed December 8, 2024
  3. 3.0 3.1 The State, "McMaster would bring different style to SC governor’s mansion," November 24, 2016
  4. McMaster Leadership Fund, "Governor Henry McMaster," accessed December 8, 2024
  5. Appalachian Regional Commission, "Governor Henry McMaster," accessed December 8, 2024
  6. The State, “From Reagan to Trump to a war on drugs, what you need to know about Henry McMaster,” October 29, 2018
  7. Live 5 WCSC, "AP: Henry McMaster elected lieutenant governor," November 5, 2014
  8. 8.0 8.1 The Associated Press, "McMaster launches final term at South Carolina inauguration," Jnauary 11, 2023 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "McMaster launches final term at South Carolina inauguration" defined multiple times with different content
  9. Greenville Buisness Magazine, "Gov. Henry McMaster Sworn in for Final Term as Governor," January 11, 2023
  10. Associated Press, "McMaster now the oldest governor South Carolina has ever had," February 16, 2020
  11. Associated Press, "South Carolina’s McMaster is now the longest serving governor at the job he loves," January 29, 2025
  12. 12.0 12.1 South Carolina, "Governor's Biography," accessed May 13, 2021
  13. ColaDaily.com "Pat McKinney withdraws from lieutenant governor race," June 12, 2014
  14. South Carolina State Election Commission, "2010 Republican and Democratic Primary," June 22, 2010
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  18. Internet Archive - McMaster for Governor, "Issues, archived July 10, 2018" accessed May 18, 2021
  19. Live 5 News, "McMaster tests positive for COVID-19," December 22, 2020
  20. SCOTUSblog, "Florida v. Department of Health and Human Services," accessed August 11, 2020
  21. National Governors Association, "Peggy McMaster," accessed May 13, 2021

Political offices
Preceded by
Nikki Haley (R)
Governor of South Carolina
2017-Present
Succeeded by
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Preceded by
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Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina
2015-2017
Succeeded by
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Preceded by
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Attorney General of South Carolina
2003-2011
Succeeded by
-
Preceded by
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United States District Court for the District of South Carolina
1981-1985
Succeeded by
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