Thomas C. Alexander
Thomas Alexander | |
---|---|
2nd President of the South Carolina Senate | |
Assumed office December 6, 2021 | |
Preceded by | Harvey S. Peeler Jr. |
Member of the South Carolina Senate from the 1st district | |
Assumed office 1994 | |
Preceded by | Alexander Macaulay |
Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 1st district | |
In office 1987–1994 | |
Preceded by | Marshall Cleveland |
Succeeded by | Bradley Cain |
Personal details | |
Born | Seneca, South Carolina | July 25, 1956
Political party | Democratic (Before 1996) Republican (1996–present) |
Spouse | Lynda Gibson |
Children | 3 |
Parent(s) | Virginia and Claude Alexander |
Residence | Walhalla, South Carolina |
Education | Anderson University (AA) Clemson University (BS) |
Thomas C. Alexander (born July 25, 1956) is an American businessman who is currently serving as the President of the South Carolina Senate.[1] Since 1996, he has served S.C. Senate District 1 as a Republican.[2] Alexander served as an honorary chair of the 2023 Inauguration Committee for Governor Henry McMaster.[3]
Political Career[edit]
Walhalla City Council[edit]
Alexander started his political career on the Walhalla City Council in 1982.[4] His father, Claude Alexander, similarly served on that same council. In 1985, Alexander was elected Mayor Pro Tempore.[5]
S.C. House of Representatives[edit]
Elections[edit]
Alexander was first elected as a Democrat to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1986[6] After M. Duke Cleveland faced an initial set of four primary challengers,[7] Alexander defeated the incumbent directly in a runoff.[8]
For details on individual elections, see:
- 1986 South Carolina House of Representatives election (won in primary, uncontested in general[8])
- 1988 South Carolina House of Representatives election (uncontested[9])
- 1990 South Carolina House of Representatives election (uncontested[10])
- 1992 South Carolina House of Representatives election (won[11])
Tenure[edit]
He represented State House District 1 of Oconee and Pickens Counties through 1994.[5][12] During 1992 and 1993, he served as Chairman of the House Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry.[13][14]
In 1991, South Carolina's auto-insurance system, known as the "mandate-to-write" law, faced further criticism from citizens about rising costs. Alexander, then chairmen of committees in the House that deal with insurance, spoke in favor of rethinking a new system for car insurance in the state.[15] However, even as late as 1993, this issue was untouched, despite much government effort spent on discussing restructuring.[16]
In 1992, he voted in favor of extending the lifetime of a nuclear waste landfill in Barnwell County.[17]
S.C. Senate[edit]
Elections[edit]
In 1994, Alexander was elected to the South Carolina Senate to represent S.C. Senate District 1 in a special election, again as a Democrat.[18] However, in 1996, he switched parties, joining the Republican Party. This was announced when he filed for re-election in the Republican primary instead of the Democratic one.[19]
Alexander has frequently run in his district uncontested including in 2020[20] and 2024.[21] His latest challenger, Constitution Party candidate Polly Nicolay, sought to defeat him in 2008. He won, receiving 85% of the vote.[22]
1994 special election[edit]
In 1994, Alexander won a special election to finish Alexander Macaulay's senate term after Macaulay was elected to the judicial bench for the 10th Circuit (Anderson and Oconee counties).[23] He defeated Republican Gresham Barrett.[18]
1996 election[edit]
Leading up to the 1996 election, Alexander switched parties from the South Carolina Democratic Party to the Republican one. This was announced when he filed for reelection in the Republican primary.[19] Alexander received about 87% of the Republican primary vote, defeating David Riggs for the party's nomination. In the general election, Alexander defeated his opponent Democrat Ted Phillips, with Alexander winning 75% of the vote.[24]
2000-2004 elections[edit]
In 2000 and 2004, Alexander was reelected in uncontested elections.[25][26]
2008 election[edit]
In 2008, Alexander defeated Polly Nicolay, a Constitution Party challenger, in a landslide victory.[27]
2012-2024 elections[edit]
In 2012,[28] 2016,[29] and 2020,[30] Alexander was again reelected in contested races.
In 2024, Alexander is likely to be reelected to a eighth full-term as Senator of District 1 as he is running in his district unopposed.[31]
Tenure[edit]
Following redistricting after the 2020 US Census, S.C. Senate District 1 covers Oconee County and a portion of Pickens County.[2]
As of April 2024[update], Alexander chairs the Interstate Cooperation Committee and the Legislative Oversight Committee. He also sits on the Banking and Insurance Committee, the Ethics Committee, the Finance Committee, the Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee, and the Medical Affairs Committee. In the past, he has also chaired the Finance Committee[32] and the Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee.[2]
Alexander serves as Vice-Chair of the College and University Trustee Screening Commission, a Joint Committee with members from the House and Senate.[33]
When the Upstate had an uptick in bear removal requests in 2001, Alexander proposed a bill that would legalize the shooting of bears that threaten "property, crops, people, or pets." He later acknowledged his bill to have been too broad in scope.[34]
In 2002, Alexander attempted to get a do-not-call law passed but found the bill stalled by extensive lobbying from banks, insurance companies, and credit card companies.[35]
In 2008, Alexander sponsored legislation to raise the state tax on cigarettes from 45 to 57 cents to raise funds for programs to help curtail smoking and health insurance.[36]
On December 6, 2021, Alexander was sworn in as the 2nd President of the South Carolina Senate.[5] His time as President has overseen several events of note:
- He has been President of the South Carolina Senate during the United States Supreme Court case regarding racial and partisan gerrymandering, Alexander v. South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP. As such, he oversaw the alleged racially-drawn districts (and is the Alexander named in the case title).[37] On March 28, 2024, the three-judge district court issued an order allowing for the map to remain in place for the 2024 United States Elections. As of April 2024[update], the case is still pending before the Supreme Court.[38]
- He has overseen the state legislature's passage of abortion bans, so-called heartbeat bills.[39] A bill banning abortion after six weeks is currently in effect as of August 23, 2023[update].[40] He voted in favor of the legislation.[41] It is an issue he has been vocal on, as far back as 1996.[42]
In 2023, he introduced 12 bills to the Senate, though none became law.[43] That year, he had also been a strong supporter of bipartisan efforts to crack down on the growing youth vaping epidemic in the state.[44] He also played a role in passing legislation for a statewide plan to address issues related to Alzheimer's and dementia.[45]
Endorsements[edit]
Republican Party Presidential Nominee[edit]
- He endorsed John McCain instead of George Bush in the 2000 Republican Party presidential primaries.[46]
- He endorsed Donald Trump in the 2024 Republican Party presidential primaries, declining to endorse previous SC Governor Nikki Haley.[47]
Political Views[edit]
Reproductive Rights[edit]
Alexander is pro-life.[42] He has voted in favor of South Carolina's heartbeat bills.[41]
Drug Legislation[edit]
He wants harsher penalties for fentanyl dealers,[48][49][50] and he is against medical marijuana legislation.[51][52]
Personal Life[edit]
Alexander and his wife Lynda live in Walhalla, South Carolina.[2] They have three children and 13 grandchildren.[5] Alexander and his wife are Presbyterian, attending the historic church, the Walhalla Presbyterian Church.[53]
Alexander received an associate degree from Anderson University in 1976 and a bachelor's degree in economics from Clemson University in 1978. In 2014, the Clemson Alumni Association awarded him the 2014 Distinguished Service Award.[53]
Previously, Alexander owned an office supplies store, Alexander's Office Supply, until 2022 when he sold it. New ownership changed its name to Alexander's Work & Wander.[54] While owner of Alexander's Office Supply, he published several historical books written by Rev. George Shealy such as a book about the founder of Walhalla, Johann Andreas Wagener,[55] and a book about the Mollohon Mill Village.[56]
He is a member of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a conservative lobbying group.[57][58] He is the Vice Chairman of the Blue Ridge Bank.[1]
External links[edit]
- South Carolina Legislature - Senator Thomas C. Alexander official SC Senate website
- Project Vote Smart - Senator Thomas C. Alexander (SC) profile
- Follow the Money - Thomas C. Alexander
References[edit]
- ^ "Officers of the Senate". South Carolina Legislature. 2022. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
- ^ a b c d "South Carolina Legislature Online - Member Biography". www.scstatehouse.gov. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
- ^ "Gov. McMaster picks experienced friend to run inauguration". WLTX-TV. Associated Press. November 30, 2022. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
- ^ The Associated Press (November 3, 1981). "Eight Disputed Ballots To Determine Outcome Of Myrtle Beach Race". Herald-Journal. pp. B3. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Smith, W. Thomas, Jr. (2021-12-08). "Upstate lawmaker elected president of the S.C. Senate". Who's On The Move. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Stracener, William (June 25, 1986). "S.C. House Candidate Square Off". Herald-Journal. pp. B3. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
- ^ Reed, David (June 12, 1986). "Ballots Are Impounded in District 31 House Race". Herald-Journal. pp. B9. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
- ^ a b Lester, Will (June 25, 1986). "Stuckey, Workman win congressional runoffs". The Sumter Daily Item. pp. 6C. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
- ^ "South Carolina Election Commission Annual Report 1988-1989" (PDF). SCVotes.gov. June 30, 1989. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
- ^ "South Carolina Election Commission Annual Report 1990-1991" (PDF). SCVotes.gov. June 30, 1991. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
- ^ "South Carolina Election Commission Annual Report 1992-1993" (PDF). SCVotes.gov. June 30, 1993. Retrieved April 13, 2004.
- ^ Johnson, Erika (June 26, 1992). "81 candidates file to run for area office: Local races generate good candidate turnout". The Item. pp. 1A, 6A. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
- ^ Sheehen, Robert J., ed. (January 28, 1992). "January 28, 1992". South Carolina House of Representatives Legislative Update. 9 (2): 14 – via SC State Library.
- ^ Sheheen, Robert J., ed. (January 19, 1993). "January 19, 1993". South Carolina House of Representatives Legislative Update. 10 (2): 22 – via SC State Library.
- ^ Carroll, Chuck (July 3, 1991). "Zooming auto rates could fuel reform: Required-coverage law could change". Herald-Journal. pp. 1A, 8A. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
- ^ Karr, Gary (June 13, 1993). "Restructuring shifts focus from other issues". Herald-Journal. pp. B1-2. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
- ^ The Associated Press (April 16, 1992). "The vote on Barnwell". The Item. pp. 2B. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
- ^ a b AP (October 9, 1994). "State Rep. Alexander snags Senate seat in special election". The Item. pp. 2B. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
- ^ a b Hester, John Ashton (2019). Looking back: a journey through the pages of the Keowee Courier featuring the Walhalla Centennial Special Edition of 1950 and highlights from the years 1956, 1966, 1986, 1996 and 2006. Bloomington, Indiana: Xlibris. ISBN 978-1-7960-3731-9.
- ^ "NEW for 4/3: Who's running and who's not; Sanford; Hard times ahead; Elections – Statehouse Report". www.statehousereport.com. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ^ "Here's who has filed to run for the South Carolina legislature in 2024". WCBD News 2. 2024-03-19. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ^ "SC - Election Results". www.enr-scvotes.org. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ^ Mayo, Nikie (March 10, 2017). "Judge Alexander Macaulay honored with portrait in Anderson courthouse". Independent Mail. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
- ^ "South Carolina Election Report 1995-1996". SC State Library. Columbia, SC: S.C. State Election Commission. May 1997.
- ^ "South Carolina Election Report 2000" (PDF). SCVotes.gov. Columbia, SC: S.C. State Election Commission. 2001. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
- ^ "South Carolina 2004 Election Report" (PDF). SCVotes.gov. State of South Carolina Election Commission. January 11, 2006. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
- ^ "South Carolina Election Commission Election Report 2008" (PDF). SCVotes.org. S.C. State Election Commission. May 2009. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
- ^ "SC - Election Results: State Senate District 1". South Carolina State Election Commission. April 9, 2013. Retrieved 2024-04-13.
- ^ "South Carolina 1st District State Senate Results: Thomas Alexander Wins". The New York Times. 2017-08-01. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-04-13.
- ^ "Saitta, Wilson take council seats |". www.yourpickenscounty.com. 2020-06-10. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
- ^ "Here's who has filed to run for the South Carolina legislature in 2024". WCBD News 2. 2024-03-19. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
- ^ Adcox, Seanna (2021-12-06). "Upstate Republican takes helm of SC Senate's powerful budget-writing committee". Post and Courier. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ^ College and University Trustee Screening Commission". South Carolina Legislature. 2023. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
- ^ AP (July 1, 2001). "Bears causing problems in the Upstate". The Item. pp. 11B. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
- ^ Taylor, Tony (March 31, 2002). "'Do not call' bill struggles to survive". Herald-Journal. pp. B1. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
- ^ Davenport, Jim (May 7, 2008). "Adding 50 Cents per Pack: Senate approves cigarette tax increase to fund health care". Herald-Journal. pp. C5. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
- ^ Alexander v. South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP, Oyez, https://www.oyez.org/cases/2023/22-807 (last visited Apr 10, 2024).
- ^ "Alexander v. South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP". American Civil Liberties Union. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ^ El-Bawab, Nadine (9 September 2022). "Lawmakers in South Carolina at odds over proposed abortion bans". ABC News. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ^ Pollard, James (23 August 2023). "South Carolina's new all-male highest court reverses course on abortion, upholding strict 6-week ban". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ^ a b "Who voted for, against South Carolina's Fetal Heartbeat Act?". wcnc.com. 2022-06-28. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ^ a b "What the nurse saw..." Herald-Journal. November 3, 1996. pp. A16. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
- ^ Harris, Javon L. (August 18, 2023). "State House scorecard: Which SC lawmakers got the most bills turned into law this year?". The State. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ Laird, Skylar (2024-03-05). "Losing The Battle - As youth vaping skyrockets, SC bill aims to crack down on sales of illegal e-cigs". The Clinton Chronicle. Retrieved 2024-04-13.
- ^ Gordon, Shelley (2023-09-21). "South Carolina's top research institutions collaborate to advance comprehensive Alzheimer's disease research, medical discoveries and education". Clemson News. Retrieved 2024-04-13.
- ^ AP (June 22, 1999). "McCain's presidential bid gains legislators' support". The Item. pp. 3A. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
- ^ Thompson, Alexander; Laird, Skylar (2023-01-28). "In kickoff for crucial SC primary, Trump says he's man to beat". Post and Courier. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ^ "Alexander touts bills on fentanyl, mental health". upstatetoday.com. 2023-01-12. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ^ "Alexander pre-files drug-induced homicide bill". upstatetoday.com. 2022-12-17. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ^ Christian, Matthew (2022-12-04). "S.C. Sen. Tom Young looks to help South Carolina get tougher on fentanyl, gangs". Post and Courier. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ^ "Alexander urges caution on medical marijuana debate". upstatetoday.com. 2018-11-27. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ^ Brown, Kirk (March 29, 2018). "Medical marijuana bill advances in SC but has little chance to pass this year". Independent Mail. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
- ^ a b "Thomas C. Alexander – Clemson Alumni Association". alumni.clemson.edu. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ^ "Alexander's continues under new ownership in Walhalla". upstatetoday.com. 2022-12-08. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ^ "Newberry Native Provides Book to Newberry Library". The Newberry Observer. September 7, 2001. p. 6. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
- ^ "Newberry native finishing Mollohon book". The Newberry Observer. September 8, 2002. pp. 6A. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
- ^ "Tom Alexander". American Legislative Exchange Council. Retrieved 2024-04-21.
- ^ Broad, Juliana (2023-09-25). "Nearly 700 ALEC Lawmakers Have Voted to Ban Abortion. Is One of Them Yours?". EXPOSEDbyCMD. Retrieved 2024-04-21.
External links[edit]
- 1956 births
- 21st-century American legislators
- Anderson University (South Carolina) alumni
- Clemson University alumni
- Presbyterians from South Carolina
- Living people
- Democratic Party members of the South Carolina House of Representatives
- People from Seneca, South Carolina
- People from Walhalla, South Carolina
- Republican Party South Carolina state senators
- Democratic Party South Carolina state senators
- South Carolina politician stubs
- Mayors of places in South Carolina
- South Carolina city council members
- 21st-century Presbyterians