ABOUT
The South Carolina House Republican Caucus consists of all the Republican members of the State House of Representatives. Heading into the 2022-2024 session, the GOP holds 88 of the 124 House seats.
The members elect new leadership following the general election of all members every two years. In December 2022, the House elected Davey Hiott of Pickens – the 13th Republican Caucus leader and the 8th Republican Majority Leader.
History
A Decade of Progress
In 1981 Republicans held only 18 seats in the 124-member House. In December 1994, the South Carolina House made history by becoming the first legislative body in the South to be controlled by Republicans since Reconstruction ended in 1876. At that time, Rep. David Wilkins of Greenville became the first Republican Speaker of the South Carolina House in more than 118 years.
Since then, voters across the South and West have handed over control of one or both of their legislative bodies to the GOP.
Here in Columbia, the GOP has guided the state through two decades of progress on a conservative agenda that has reshaped South Carolina.
In December 2014, Speaker, Rep. Jay Lucas, was elected followed by our current Speaker, Rep. G. Murrell Smith, who was elected in April 2022.
Republican House Speakers
2022-present
G. Murrell Smith
Sumter
2014-2022
James H. “Jay” Lucas
Hartsville
2005-2014
Robert W. “Bobby” Harrell Jr.
Charleston
1994-2005
David H. Wilkins
Greenville
Republican Majority Leaders
2022-present
Davey Hiott
Pickens
2016-2022
J. Gary Simrill
York
2012-2016
Bruce W. Bannister
Greenville
2008-2012
Kenneth A. “Kenny” Bingham
Cayce
2004-2008
James H. “Jim” Merrill
Charleston
2001-2004
Richard M. “Rick” Quinn Jr.
Columbia
1997-2000
Robert W. “Bobby” Harrell Jr.
Charleston
1995-1996
Annette Young
Summerville
Republican Minority Leaders
1993-1994
H. Howell Clyborne, Jr.
Taylors
1989-1992
Terry Haskins
Greenville
1979-1988
T. Moffat Burriss
Columbia
1977-1978
H. Ray Ham
West Columbia
1975-1976
John K. Earle
Greenville