Margie Bright Matthews facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Margie Bright Matthews
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Bright Matthews (second from left) with Henry McMaster, Hugh Weathers and others at a 2020 event with US Secretary Sonny Perdue
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| Member of the South Carolina Senate from the 45th district |
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| Assumed office October 27, 2015 |
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| Preceded by | Clementa Pinckney |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 10, 1963 Walterboro, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Patrick Matthews
(m. 1992) |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | University of South Carolina (BS, JD) |
Margie Bright Matthews was born on February 10, 1963. She is a member of the Democratic Party. Since 2015, she has represented the 45th District in the South Carolina Senate. She won a special election to take over the seat after Senator Clementa Pinckney sadly passed away. Margie Bright Matthews is also a lawyer and started her own law firm.
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Early Life and Education
Margie Bright Matthews was born in Walterboro, South Carolina. She went to the University of South Carolina. In 1985, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree. She then continued her studies at the University of South Carolina School of Law. She received her law degree in 1989.
Before becoming a senator, Ms. Matthews worked in the Senate. She was a page, which is like an assistant. She also worked as a law clerk. In this role, she helped write new laws.
Serving in the State Senate
Margie Bright Matthews has been a Senator since 2015. She works to represent the people of her district.
How She Was Elected
Senator Matthews has won several elections. In 2016, she ran for office and had no opponents. She is expected to win her third full term in 2024, also without an opponent.
The 2015 Special Election
A special election was held in 2015. This was because Senator Clementa C. Pinckney's seat became empty. Eleven Democrats and two Republicans ran for the position. Margie Bright Matthews raised a lot of money for her campaign. She also received support from Senator Pinckney's family.
In the first Democratic primary election, Matthews got the most votes. She then went into a second election, called a runoff. She won the runoff election against Representative Kenneth Hodges. On October 20, she won the main election. She defeated Republican Al Fernandez with 89% of the votes. She officially became a Senator on October 27, 2015.
The 2020 Election
In 2020, Senator Matthews was the only Democratic candidate for her district. She won the election against her Republican opponent, Rodney Buncum. She received 60% of the votes.
Supporting Other Leaders
Senator Bright Matthews has supported many important political figures. In 2016, she was one of several African American women who supported Hillary Clinton for President. She also supported Joe Biden in 2020. This was just before South Carolina's primary election.
In the 2018 election for governor of South Carolina, she supported James E. Smith Jr.. He became the Democratic candidate. In 2022, she supported her fellow "Sister Senator" Mia McLeod for governor. Senator Bright Matthews also attended the 2024 Democratic National Convention. She was a delegate from her district.
Her Work as a Senator
In 2024, Senator Matthews was chosen for a special group. This group works on the Robert Smalls Monument Commission.
Making Laws About Public Information
Senator Matthews has worked to change South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This law helps people get public records. From 2016 to 2017, she disagreed with some parts of the new FOIA bills. She believed that moving certain disputes to a state court would cost rural counties too much money. She thought it would also cost taxpayers more.
She helped make sure that FOIA cases stayed in local courts. But she also supported stricter deadlines for handling requests. This helped balance the need for public information with managing costs. The final law passed in 2017. It aimed to make public records easier to access. However, some agencies still charge high fees for copies. Senator Matthews believes costs should be the same for all government groups.
The Jasper Ocean Terminal Project
Senator Matthews has strongly supported the Jasper Ocean Terminal project. This is a big port project in Jasper County, South Carolina. She believes it is very important for the economy of the area. The project was expected to finish by 2025. However, there have been delays. Now, it is expected to be completed between 2035 and 2037.
Senator Matthews has expressed her frustration about these delays. She wants the project to move forward faster. In 2021, the State Ports Authority agreed to give its share of the terminal to Jasper County. This depended on the state approving $550 million for improvements at the Port of Charleston. Senator Matthews supported this plan. She said it would help South Carolina's poorer counties. It would also bring new businesses to the region.
Supporting Women's Health
Throughout her time as a Senator, Margie Bright Matthews has been a strong supporter of women's health choices. In 2016, she was the only Senator to vote against a bill. This bill would have given legal rights to unborn children from the start of pregnancy. She argued that such a law could lead to expensive legal challenges for the state.
In 2023, Senator Matthews joined other female Senators. These included Mia McLeod, Katrina Shealy, and Penry Gustafson. They are known as "The Sister Senators." In September 2023, "The Sister Senators" were chosen for a special award. They received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award. This award honors people who show great courage. The award ceremony took place in October 2023. It was held at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.
Senator Matthews has also organized community events. These events provide help and support for pregnant women. She believes in offering full healthcare solutions. Her work shows her dedication to protecting and advancing women's rights in South Carolina.
