🔥 Trending Henry McMaster: Who is the South Carolina Governor?

Henry Dargan McMaster is an American politician and attorney who has been serving as the 117th Governor of South Carolina since January 24, 2017 ¹⁵. He is a member of the Republican Party ¹.

Early Life and Education

Born on May 27, 1947, in Columbia, South Carolina, McMaster's father, John Gregg McMaster, also served in public office as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives ²⁴. Henry McMaster pursued his higher education at the University of South Carolina, where he earned a bachelor's degree in history in 1969 ²⁸. He later obtained his law degree from the same university ⁸. During his undergraduate studies, he was involved in the Kappa Alpha Order and the South Carolina Student Legislature ².

Political Career

McMaster's political career includes several significant roles before becoming governor:

• Attorney General of South Carolina: He served as the 50th Attorney General from 2003 to 2011 ¹.
• Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina: Prior to his governorship, he was the 91st Lieutenant Governor from 2015 to 2017 ¹.

He assumed the office of Governor of South Carolina on January 24, 2017, succeeding Nikki Haley, who resigned to become the United States Ambassador to the United Nations ⁶. McMaster was elected to a full term as governor in November 2018 and re-elected in November 2022 ⁵⁶. His current term is set to end on January 13, 2027 ⁴.

Governorship and Priorities

As governor, McMaster has focused on economic development and growth, educational excellence, and environmental stewardship ⁵. He is also noted for his support of Donald Trump and the "MAGA" political movement ⁷. His tenure has involved significant decisions, including appointing a replacement for the late U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham ⁷.