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Garry Smith (South Carolina Representative)

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Garry Smith
Prior offices:
South Carolina House of Representatives District 27
Years in office: 2002 - 2022
Successor:David Vaughan (R)
Elections and appointments
Last election
November 3, 2020
Education
Bachelor's
University of South Carolina, Aiken, 1979
Graduate
University of South Carolina, 1983
Contact

Garry Smith (Republican Party) was a member of theSouth Carolina House of Representatives, representingDistrict 27. He assumed office in 2002. He left office on November 14, 2022.

Smith (Republican Party) ran for re-election to theSouth Carolina House of Representatives to representDistrict 27. He won in the general election onNovember 3, 2020.

Biography

Smith earned his B.A. from the University of South Carolina-Aiken in 1979. He went on to receive his M.P.A. from the University of South Carolina in 1983. Smith has worked as the managing partner of Nin Tai Enterprises, Vice President of Burkhold Smith Planning & Management, and as a businessman. Smith served as Administrator for Bamberg County from 1988 to 1992. He then served as City Administrator of Simpsonville from 1992 to 1995.

Committee assignments

2021-2022

Smith was assigned to the following committees:

2019-2020

Smith was assigned to the following committees:

2017 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

South Carolina committee assignments, 2017
Operations and Management, Chair
Ways and Means

2015 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Smith served on the following committees:

South Carolina committee assignments, 2015
Operations and Management, Chair
Ways and Means

2013-2014

At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Smith served on the following committees:

South Carolina committee assignments, 2013
Ways and Means
Operations and Management, Chair

2011-2012

In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Smith served on the following committees:

South Carolina committee assignments, 2011
Judiciary
Operations and Management, Chair

2009-2010

In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Smith served on the following committees:

South Carolina committee assignments, 2009
Judiciary, Vice Chair
Operations and Management
Ways and Means

Issues

Department of Administration

In 2011, Rep. Smith sponsored a bill to create the Department of Administration in South Carolina. The department would not replace the state Budget and Control Board. Smith said that it would create hundreds of thousands of dollars in new, annually recurring costs while generating an undetermined amount of yearly savings.

Supporters of the bill said it would help correct an imbalance of power in state government that is weighted heavily toward the Legislature, and they point to the Budget and Control Board (BCB) as an example of that lopsidedness.[1] A government restructuring bill of a similar form passed theSouth Carolina State Senate that session and again in 2013, but no similar bill had become law as of mid-2013.[2]

Sponsored legislation

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according toBillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.

Elections

2022

See also:South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2022

Garry Smith did not file to run for re-election.

2020

See also: South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2020

General election

General election for South Carolina House of Representatives District 27

IncumbentGarry Smith won election in the general election for South Carolina House of Representatives District 27 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Garry Smith
Garry Smith (R)
 
96.5
 
16,482
 Other/Write-in votes
 
3.5
 
591

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 17,073
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia 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.

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Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. IncumbentGarry Smith advanced from the Republican primary for South Carolina House of Representatives District 27.

2018

See also:South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2018

General election

General election for South Carolina House of Representatives District 27

IncumbentGarry Smith won election in the general election for South Carolina House of Representatives District 27 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Garry Smith
Garry Smith (R)
 
96.7
 
10,994
 Other/Write-in votes
 
3.3
 
371

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 11,365
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia 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 South Carolina House of Representatives District 27

IncumbentGarry Smith defeatedFred Wall andIra Williams in the Republican primary for South Carolina House of Representatives District 27 on June 12, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Garry Smith
Garry Smith
 
75.3
 
2,709
Fred Wall
 
12.4
 
446
Image of Ira Williams
Ira Williams Candidate Connection
 
12.3
 
441

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified.

Total votes: 3,596
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia 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.

2016

See also:South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2016

Elections for theSouth Carolina House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on June 14, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The primary runoff election was held on June 28, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 30, 2016.

IncumbentGarry Smith ran unopposed in the South Carolina House of Representatives District 27 general election.[3][4]

South Carolina House of Representatives, District 27 General Election, 2016
PartyCandidateVote %Votes
    RepublicanGreen check mark transparent.pngGarry SmithIncumbent (unopposed)100.00%14,295
Total Votes14,295
Source:South Carolina State Election Commission



IncumbentGarry Smith ran unopposed in the South Carolina House of Representatives District 27 Republican primary.[5][6]

South Carolina House of Representatives, District 27 Republican Primary, 2016
PartyCandidate
    RepublicanGreen check mark transparent.pngGarry SmithIncumbent (unopposed)

2014

See also:South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2014

Elections for all 124 seats in theSouth Carolina House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 10, 2014. The general election was held onNovember 4, 2014. Thesignature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 30, 2014. IncumbentGarry Smith ran unopposed in the Republican primary and was unchallenged in the general election.[7][8][9]

2012

See also:South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2012

Smith ran unopposed in the Republican primary on June 12 and in the general election on November 6, 2012.[10][11]

South Carolina House of Representatives, District 27, General Election, 2012
PartyCandidateVote %Votes
    RepublicanGreen check mark transparent.pngGarry SmithIncumbent98.6%13,277
    Other Write-Ins1.4%184
Total Votes13,461

2010

See also:South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2010

Smith ran unopposed in the June 8 Republican primary forDistrict 27 of theSouth Carolina House of Representatives. Smith defeatedLaird Minor (L) in the general election on November 2[12].

South Carolina House of Representatives, District 27 (2010)
CandidatesVotesPercent
Green check mark transparent.pngGarry Smith (R)10,08186.94%
Laird Minor (L)1,47212.69%
Write-In430.37%

2008

See also:South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2008

On November 4, 2008, Smith won re-election unopposed to theSouth Carolina House of Representatives with 14,859 votes, representing District 27. 

Smith raised $13,204 for his campaign.[13]

South Carolina House of Representatives, District 27 (2008)
CandidatesVotes
Green check mark transparent.pngGary Smith (R)14,859

Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also:Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Garry Smith did not completeBallotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign finance summary


Ballotpedia LogoNote: 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 theFEC website. Clickhere for more on federal campaign finance law andhere for more on state campaign finance law.


Garry Smith campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2020South Carolina House of Representatives District 27Won general$15,874 N/A**
2018South Carolina House of Representatives District 27Won general$56,014 N/A**
2016South Carolina House of Representatives, District 27Won$23,082 N/A**
2014South Carolina State House, District 28Won$26,085 N/A**
2012South Carolina State House, District 28Won$31,000 N/A**
2010South Carolina State House, District 28Won$35,239 N/A**
2008South Carolina State House, District 28Won$13,204 N/A**
2006South Carolina State House, District 28Won$27,418 N/A**
2004South Carolina State House, District 28Won$35,615 N/A**
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Scorecards

See also:State legislative scorecards andState legislative scorecards in South Carolina

Ascorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of South Carolina scorecards, email suggestions toeditor@ballotpedia.org.




2022

In 2022, theSouth Carolina State Legislature was in session from January 11 to May 12.

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
Legislators are scored on business issues.


2021

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show].   

In 2021, theSouth Carolina State Legislature was in session from January 12 to May 13.

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
Legislators are scored on business issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.


2020

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show].   

In 2020, theSouth Carolina State Legislature was in session from January 14 to June 25. The state Senate reconvened September to September 3. Both chambers reconvened September 15 to September 24.

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
Legislators are scored on business issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.


2019

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show].   

In 2019, theSouth Carolina State Legislature was in session from January 8 through May 21.

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.


2018

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show].   

In 2018, theSouth Carolina State Legislature was in session from January 9 through May 10.

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
Legislators are scored on business issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.


2017

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show].   

In 2017, theSouth Carolina State Legislature was in session from January 10 through May 11.

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
Legislators are scored on business issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.


2016

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show].   

In 2016, theSouth Carolina State Legislature was in session from January 12 through June 2.

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
Legislators are scored on business issues.
  • South Carolina Club for Growth -House andSenate 2015-16 scorecard
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.


2015

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show].   

In 2015, theSouth Carolina State Legislature was in session from January 13 through June 4.

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
Legislators are scored on business issues.
  • South Carolina Club for Growth -House andSenate 2015-16 scorecard
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.


2014

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show].   

In 2014, theSouth Carolina State Legislature was in session from January 14 through June 6.

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
Legislators are scored by the Greenville Tea Party on their votes on bills "related to jobs, spending, and freedom."
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
  • South Carolina Club for Growth -House andSenate 2013-14 scorecard
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.


2013

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show].   

In 2013, theSouth Carolina State Legislature was in session from January 8 to June 20.

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
Legislators are scored by the Greenville Tea Party on their votes on bills "related to jobs, spending, and freedom."
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
  • South Carolina Club for Growth -House andSenate 2013-14 scorecard
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.


2012

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show].   

In 2012, theSouth Carolina State Legislature was in session from January 11 through June 7.

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
Legislators are scored by Palmetto Liberty on bills related to "limited government, the free market, and individual liberty and responsibility."
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.


2011

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2011, click [show].   

In 2011, theSouth Carolina State Legislature was in session from January 11 through June 2. On June 2, 2011, GovernorNikki Haley (R) attempted to call the legislature into an "emergency" special session to begin on June 7 to create the new South Carolina Department of Administration. A lawsuit was filed by Senate President Pro TemGlenn McConnell (R), in which he contended that Haley's call for a special session was unconstitutional, and that it violated the state Constitution's requirement of separation of powers among the governor, legislature and courts.[14] On June 6, the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled 3-2 against Governor Haley, stating that her order violated the Legislature's ability to set its calendar and agenda. The legislature met in a special redistricting session from June 14 - July 1.[15] The legislature re-convened July 26.[16]

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
Legislators are scored by Palmetto Liberty on bills related to "limited government, the free market, and individual liberty and responsibility."
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business and industry issues.
Legislators are scored by the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce on their votes on bills "that directly impact the business climate and competitiveness of the state."
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.

The Palmetto Liberty PAC Scorecard

See also:Palmetto Liberty Political Action Committee's Legislative Scorecard (2012)

The Palmetto Liberty Political Action Committee, a conservative, pro-limited government think tank inSouth Carolina, releases itsscorecard for South Carolina representatives and senators once a year. The scorecard gives each legislator a score based on how he or she voted in the two-year legislative term prior to the election on specific issues that the Palametto Liberty PAC thinks are anti-limited government. "Most of the votes shown on the score card are votes that we lost. Now we can identify the Legislators that caused us to lose these votes. These Legislators are the ones who need to be replaced if we are to achieve the vision of having the most free state in the nation."[17]

2012

Garry Smith received a score of 47% in the 2012 scorecard, ranking 6th out of all 124South Carolina House of Representatives members.[18] His score was followed by representativesWendy Nanney (40%),Lewis Pinson (40%), andAlan D. Clemmons (33%).[19]

Personal

Note: Pleasecontact us if the personal information below requires an update.

Smith and his wife, Brenda, have two children.

See also


External links

Candidate

South Carolina House of Representatives District 27

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  • Footnotes

    1. The Nerve, "Nothing for Certain with Administration Agency," April 1, 2011(dead link)
    2. South Carolina Policy Council, "Restructuring Update: déjà vu all over again?" April 12, 2013
    3. South Carolina State Election Commission, "Candidate listing for the 11/8/2016 statewide general election," accessed August 26, 2016
    4. South Carolina State Election Commission, "2016 Statewide General Election," accessed November 28, 2016
    5. South Carolina Election Commission, "Candidate Tracking," accessed March 31, 2016
    6. South Carolina State Election Commission, "Unofficial primary election results," accessed June 14, 2016
    7. South Carolina State Election Commission, "Election Results," accessed June 10, 2014
    8. South Carolina State Election Commission, "Official general election results," accessed November 13, 2014
    9. South Carolina State Election Commission, "2014 Election Information," accessed March 31, 2014
    10. AP.org, "South Carolina State Senate and State House Election Results," accessed November 7, 2012
    11. South Carolina State Election Commission, "2012 Candidates," accessed April 19, 2012
    12. www.enr-scvotes.org, "2010 General Election Results," accessed May 1, 2014
    13. Follow the Money, "2008 campaign contributions," accessed May 15, 2014
    14. The State, "High court rules against Haley," June 6, 2011
    15. The Sun News, "S.C. House to have special session in June," May 6, 2011
    16. The Island Packet, "S.C. Senate OKs new congressional districted anchored in Beaufort County," June 29, 2011
    17. The Palmetto Liberty Political Action Committee, "Voting Records," accessed April 11, 2014
    18. Palmetto Liberty Political Action Committee, "South Carolina Senate Score Card 2012," accessed April 11, 2014
    19. Palmetto Liberty Political Action Committee, "South Carolina Senate Score Card 2012," accessed May 15, 2014

    Political offices
    Preceded by
    -
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 27
    2002-2022
    Succeeded by
    David Vaughan (R)


    Leadership
    Speaker of the House:G. Murrell Smith
    Majority Leader:Davey Hiott
    Minority Leader:James Rutherford
    Representatives
    District 1
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    District 21
    Vacant
    District 22
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    District 26
    District 27
    District 28
    District 29
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    District 77
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    District 83
    District 84
    District 85
    District 86
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    Vacant
    District 89
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    District 92
    District 93
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    District 100
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    District 115
    District 116
    District 117
    District 118
    District 119
    District 120
    District 121
    District 122
    District 123
    District 124
    Republican Party (86)
    Democratic Party (36)
    Vacancies (2)


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