Henry McMaster facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry McMaster
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McMaster in 2022
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| 117th Governor of South Carolina | |
| Assumed office January 24, 2017 |
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| Lieutenant | Kevin L. Bryant Pamela Evette |
| Preceded by | Nikki Haley |
| 91st Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina | |
| In office January 14, 2015 – January 24, 2017 |
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| Governor | Nikki Haley |
| Preceded by | Yancey McGill |
| Succeeded by | Kevin L. Bryant |
| 50th Attorney General of South Carolina | |
| In office January 15, 2003 – January 12, 2011 |
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| Governor | Mark Sanford |
| Preceded by | Charlie Condon |
| Succeeded by | Alan Wilson |
| Chair of the South Carolina Republican Party | |
| In office May 8, 1993 – March 28, 2002 |
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| Preceded by | Barry Wynn |
| Succeeded by | Katon Dawson |
| United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina | |
| In office June 5, 1981 – July 1, 1985 |
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| President | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | Thomas Simpson |
| Succeeded by | Vinton Lide |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Henry Dargan McMaster
May 27, 1947 Columbia, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Peggy Anderson
(m. 1978) |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | Governor's Mansion |
| Education | University of South Carolina (BA, JD) |
| Website | |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1969–1975 |
| Unit | United States Army Reserve |
Henry Dargan McMaster (born May 27, 1947) is an American politician. He is currently the 117th governor of South Carolina. He has been governor since 2017. McMaster is a member of the Republican Party. Before becoming governor, he was the Attorney General of South Carolina from 2003 to 2011. He also served as the lieutenant governor of South Carolina from 2015 to 2017 under Governor Nikki Haley.
McMaster worked for U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond. He also worked as a federal prosecutor. In 1986, McMaster ran for the U.S. Senate in South Carolina. He lost to the Democrat Fritz Hollings. In 1990, he lost the race for lieutenant governor to Democrat Nick Theodore.
McMaster led the South Carolina Republican Party from 1993 to 2002. He was elected Attorney General in 2002 and again in 2006. In 2010, McMaster ran for governor. He lost to Nikki Haley in the Republican primary. In 2011, Governor Haley appointed him to the South Carolina Ports Authority. McMaster was then elected lieutenant governor in 2014. He became governor in 2017 when Haley resigned to become U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. He won a full term in the 2018 election. He won reelection in 2022.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Henry McMaster was born on May 27, 1947. His hometown is Columbia, South Carolina. He is the oldest son of John Gregg and Ida Dargan McMaster.
He earned a bachelor's degree in history in 1969. This was from the University of South Carolina. In 1973, he graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law. He was part of the South Carolina Law Review. Later that year, he became a member of the Richland County Bar Association. He served in the United States Army Reserve, leaving in 1975.
After law school, McMaster worked for U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond. This was in Washington, D.C. He then joined a law firm. He practiced law for almost 29 years. He worked as a federal prosecutor and in private practice. He represented clients in state and federal courts.
Early Political Career
United States Attorney
In 1981, President Ronald Reagan chose McMaster to be the United States Attorney for South Carolina. The Senate approved him on May 21, 1981. He led the South Carolina Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee from 1981 to 1985.
McMaster often held press conferences. He gained public attention through interviews. He finished his term as U.S. attorney on December 31, 1985.
Running for Office
In 1986, McMaster ran for the United States Senate. He won the Republican primary. However, he lost the main election to Democrat Ernest Hollings. He only won in Lexington County.
In 1990, McMaster ran for lieutenant governor. He won the Republican primary. But he lost the general election to the Democrat Nick Theodore.
In 1991, Governor Carroll A. Campbell Jr. appointed McMaster to the state's Commission on Higher Education. He also served on the board of the South Carolina Policy Council.
Leading the Republican Party
On May 8, 1993, McMaster was elected chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party. He was reelected several times. He also served on the Republican National Committee. Under his leadership, the Republican Party gained control of the governorship and the State House of Representatives in 1994. They also gained control of the State Senate in 2000. McMaster resigned as party chairman on March 28, 2002. He did this to run for attorney general.
Attorney General of South Carolina
McMaster ran for attorney general in 2002. He won the Republican primary. In the general election, he defeated Democrat Stephen K. Benjamin. He was reelected in 2006 without opposition.
Run for Governor and Ports Authority Role
In 2010, McMaster ran for governor. He finished third in the Republican primary. He then supported Nikki Haley, who won the primary.
In 2011, Governor Haley appointed McMaster to the South Carolina Ports Authority.
Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina
McMaster ran for lieutenant governor in 2014. He won the Republican primary runoff. He then faced Democrat Bakari Sellers in the general election. On November 4, 2014, McMaster was elected lieutenant governor. He won with 58.8% of the vote. He took office after Democrat Yancey McGill.
McMaster was elected on a separate ticket from Governor Haley. This was the last time a lieutenant governor was elected this way. Now, candidates for governor and lieutenant governor run together. During the 2016 presidential campaign, McMaster strongly supported Donald Trump. He claimed to be the first elected politician in the U.S. to support Trump. After Trump won the Republican nomination, McMaster gave the nominating speech at the Republican National Convention.
Governor of South Carolina
Becoming Governor
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On November 23, 2016, President-elect Donald Trump announced his plan to nominate Nikki Haley. She would become Ambassador to the United Nations. On January 24, 2017, the Senate approved Haley. She then resigned as governor. McMaster became governor that same day. He was 69 years and 8 months old. This made him the oldest person to become governor in South Carolina. McMaster served the rest of Haley's term.
Elections as Governor
McMaster ran for governor in June 2018. He won the Republican primary. But he received less than half the votes. So, he faced John Warren in a runoff election. On June 26, McMaster won the runoff with over 53% of the vote. He chose businesswoman Pamela Evette as his running mate. Trump supported McMaster. McMaster defeated Democrat James Smith in the general election. He won with 54% of the vote.
McMaster ran for reelection in 2022. He secured the Republican nomination in June. He defeated the Democratic nominee, Joe Cunningham, in the general election.
Key Policies
Fiscal Policies
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On February 6, 2017, McMaster asked President Trump for $5.18 billion. This money was for South Carolina's roads and bridges. Later in February, McMaster said the state government needed to spend less. On May 9, 2017, he vetoed a bill. This bill would have raised the state's gas tax. It was the largest tax increase in state history. But the South Carolina General Assembly voted to override his veto. McMaster said the state had enough money for roads. He believed it was not necessary to add another tax.
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Firearms
McMaster strongly supports the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution. This amendment protects the right to own guns. He also supports the National Rifle Association of America. He favors laws that make it easier for citizens to get firearms. In 2021, McMaster signed a bill. This law allows people to open carry a firearm with a permit. In 2024, he signed another law. This law allows open carry without a permit. It also lowered the age for handgun ownership from 21 to 18.
Immigration
In 2023, Texas Governor Greg Abbott asked for help. McMaster sent South Carolina National Guard troops to Texas. This was to help with border security.
LGBTQ+ Issues
In 2006, as attorney general, McMaster helped ban same-sex marriage in South Carolina. In an October 2022 debate, McMaster said he would enforce the state's ban. This would happen if the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Obergefell v. Hodges. In 2022, he signed a bill. This law requires student athletes to play on teams that match their birth certificates.
COVID-19 Pandemic Response
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During the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States in 2020, McMaster declared a state of emergency. On April 20, 2020, he reopened beaches and stores. This was five days after the state had many new COVID-19 cases. McMaster said the economy was struggling. He wanted it to be "humming" by June 2020. By early June, most of the state was reopened. Schools remained closed.
By late June and early July, COVID-19 cases in South Carolina rose greatly. Lawmakers asked McMaster to require masks statewide. But he declined. He said such an order would be hard to enforce. Many cities then made their own mask rules. These included Columbia and Charleston. On July 10, McMaster issued an order. It stopped businesses from selling alcohol after 11 p.m. This was to help prevent the virus from spreading.
On July 15, McMaster said schools should offer in-person classes. He told the South Carolina Department of Education to reject plans without in-person learning. Many groups criticized this order. They said it would risk the health of students and teachers.
On July 29, McMaster signed an order. It required masks for employees and customers in restaurants and bars. It also limited how many people could be inside. By October, McMaster lifted most restrictions. He started a program to help small businesses affected by COVID-19.
On December 22, 2020, McMaster and his wife tested positive for COVID-19. In 2021, McMaster said he would block federal efforts to promote vaccinations door-to-door. He also criticized federal vaccine requirements.
George Floyd Protests
After the death of George Floyd, protests happened across the nation. In South Carolina, protests took place in Columbia, Greenville, and Charleston. Some protests had violence. Police cars were burned in Columbia. Protesters stopped traffic in Charleston. McMaster said that state and local governments were too soft on rioters. He mobilized the South Carolina National Guard. This was to help stop riots and looting if needed. He also sent National Guard members to Washington, D.C. at Trump's request.
Conservation and Preservation
McMaster has supported preserving the Gullah culture. This is an African American group living in South Carolina's Lowcountry. In 2022, he declared the first week of August as Gullah/Geechee appreciation week. He also called for protecting South Carolina's natural areas. He wants to save them from too much building and storm damage. He believes this helps preserve the state's culture and economy.
Veto Record
As of July 5, 2024, McMaster has signed over 800 bills. He has vetoed 32 bills. The legislature has overridden 24 of his vetoes.
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Legislative Action
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Bills Signed
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896 |
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Bills Vetoed
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35 |
| 7 | |
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Vetoes Sustained by Legislature
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10 |
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Vetoes Overridden by Legislature
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24 |
Personal Life
Family and Home
McMaster has been married to Peggy McMaster (née Anderson) since 1978. They have two adult children. They live in Columbia, South Carolina. He owns an English Bulldog named Mac. The McMasters attend First Presbyterian Church in Columbia.
McMaster and his wife own several homes and rental apartments. These are in the Columbia area. One home they own is the McCord House. It was built in 1849. It was used as a Union headquarters during the Civil War. McMaster often rents these homes to University of South Carolina students. These rentals are his main source of income.
Health
In December 2023, McMaster had an outpatient medical procedure. This was to correct a heart condition called atrial fibrillation. The procedure was successful.
Electoral History
McMaster ran for the U.S. Senate in 1986 but lost. He also lost races for lieutenant governor in 1990 and governor in 2010. He was elected attorney general in 2002 and 2006. He became lieutenant governor in 2014. He was elected governor in 2018 and 2022.
Images for kids
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McMaster in 2022
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McMaster's law firm on Pendleton St. in Columbia, SC
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McMaster's law firm on Pendleton St. in Columbia, SC
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Henry McMaster's official portrait, 2005
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McMaster meeting with John F. Kelly, the United States secretary of homeland security, in February 2017.
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McMaster (center) visits the South Carolina National Guard Air and Ground Expo at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, May 2017
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McMaster briefs press on South Carolina's emergency response to Hurricane Dorian, 2019
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President Donald Trump and Henry McMaster rollout the first Boeing 787-10 at the factory in Charleston, South Carolina.
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McMaster speaking in February 2017
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McMaster, a strong ally of Donald Trump, greets the president as he arrives in South Carolina
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McMaster and President Donald Trump.
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McMaster sworn in to his second full term, January 11, 2023.
See also
In Spanish: Henry McMaster para niños
