Henry McMaster

1947

Henry Dargan McMaster was born in Columbia, South Carolina

Born on May 27, 1947, he is the eldest son of John Gregg and Ida Dargan McMaster.

1969

Henry McMaster obtains a bachelor degree in history

While an undergraduate at the University of South Carolina, he was a member of Kappa Alpha Order and the South Carolina Student Legislature.

1973

McMaster is admitted to the Richland County Bar Association of the South Carolina Bar

After graduating from the University of South Carolina School of Law earlier that year, he was admitted to his county’s bar association.

1978

Henry gets married

He and his wife, Peggy McMaster, had two children together.

2015

McMaster is accused of campaign finance violation

On January 6th, the Ethics Commission of South Carolina accused him of accepting more than $50,000 over the state limit for campaign donations. He was ordered to repay the contributions and fined.

1986

Henry McMaster runs for the United States Senate

While he won the Republican primary, he lost the general election to four-term Democratic incumbent Ernest Hollings.

1990

McMaster runs for lieutenant governor of South Carolina

Again, he won the Republican primary but lost the general election to the Democratic incumbent.

1993

Henry is elected chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party

He was elected on May 8, 1993, and reelected by the State Republican Convention in 1996, 1998, and 2000.

2003

McMaster becomes the 50th attorney general of South Carolina

He won the race for attorney general of the state and was reelected in 2006, running unopposed.

2010

McMaster runs for governor, but loses primary

Finishing third in the Republican Primary, he was unable to secure the nomination bid.

2014

Henry becomes the lieutenant governor of South Carolina

On November 14, 2014, he was elected as the lieutenant governor of South Carolina.

2018

Henry McMaster wins reelection as Governor of South Carolina

After assuming office as governor in 2017, he was reelected to serve his first four-year term.

2022

McMaster secures Republican nomination for governor and wins general election

He secured the nomination in the June 14th primary and ran against Democratic nominee Joe Cunningham in the general election. McMaster won the popular vote by 58.1%.