HISTORY

A Decade of Progress

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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.

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Since then, voters across the South and West have handed over control of one or both of their legislative bodies to the GOP.

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Here in Columbia, the GOP has guided the state through two decades of progress on a conservative agenda that has reshaped South Carolina.

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 The members elect new leadership following the general election of all members every two years. In 2022, the House Republican Caucus elected Davey Hiott of Pickens, and re-elected him in 2024 to serve through 2026 as Majority Leader. Brandon Newton of Lancaster County was elected Assistant Majority Leader.