ABOUT

SOUTH CAROLINA REPUBLICAN HOUSE CAUCUS

The South Carolina House Republican Caucus consists of all the Republican members of the State House of Representatives. Heading into the 2019-2020 session, the GOP holds 80 of the 124 House seats.

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The members elect new leadership following the general election of all members every two years. In December 2018, the House elected J. Gary Simrill of Rock Hill – the 12th Republican Caucus leader and the seventh Republican Majority Leader.

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History

A Decade of Progress

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In 1981 Republicans held only 18 seats in the 124-member House. In December 1994, the South Carolina House made history by becoming the first legislative body in the South to be controlled by Republicans since Reconstruction ended in 1876. At that time, Rep. David Wilkins of Greenville became the first Republican Speaker of the South Carolina House in more than 118 years.

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Since then, voters across the South and West have handed over control of one or both of their legislative bodies to the GOP.

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Here in Columbia, the GOP has guided the state through two decades of progress on a conservative agenda that has reshaped South Carolina.

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In 2005, Speaker Wilkins left the Caucus when President George W. Bush appointed him U.S. Ambassador to Canada. On the final day of the 2005 legislative session, the House elected Rep. Bobby Harrell of Charleston as Speaker of the House. In December 2014, current Speaker, Rep. Jay Lucas, was elected. 

Republican House Speakers

2014-pres

James H. “Jay” Lucas

Hartsville

2005-2014

Robert W. “Bobby” Harrell Jr. 

Charleston

1994-2005

David H. Wilkins

Greenville

Republican Majority Leaders

2016-Pres

J. Gary Simrill

York

2012-2016

Bruce W. Bannister

Greenville

2008-2012

Kenneth A. “Kenny” Bingham

Cayce

2004-2008

James H. “Jim” Merrill

Charleston

2001-2004

Richard M. “Rick” Quinn Jr.

Columbia

1997-2000

Robert W. “Bobby” Harrell Jr.

Charleston

1995-1996

Annette Young

Summerville

Republican Minority Leaders

1993-1994

H. Howell Clyborne, Jr.

Taylors

1989-1992

Terry Haskins

Greenville

1979-1988

T. Moffat Burriss

Columbia

1977-1978

H. Ray Ham

West Columbia

1975-1976

John K. Earle

Greenville