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Henry Dargan McMaster (born May 27, 1947) is an American politician and attorney serving since 2017 as the 117th governor of South Carolina. A member of the Republican Party, he served from 2003 to 2011 as the 50th attorney general of South Carolina and from 2015 to 2017 as the 91st lieutenant governor of South Carolina, under Governor Nikki Haley.

Key Information

Born in Columbia, South Carolina, McMaster gratuated from University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts. After earning a Juris Doctor from University of South Carolina School of Law, McMaster worked for U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond in private legal practice and as a federal prosecutor. Appointed United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina by President Ronald Reagan in 1981, he gained attention for investigating South Carolina marijuana smugglers in Operation Jackpot. McMaster was the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate in South Carolina in 1986, losing to incumbent Democrat Fritz Hollings.[1] He was then defeated for lieutenant governor of South Carolina by Democrat Nick Theodore in 1990.

McMaster chaired the South Carolina Republican Party from 1993 to 2002.[2] He was elected attorney general in 2002 and reelected in 2006. In 2010, McMaster ran for governor but lost to Nikki Haley in the Republican primary. In 2011, Haley appointed him to the South Carolina Ports Authority. McMaster was then elected lieutenant governor of South Carolina under Haley's governorship in 2014. McMaster succeeded to the office of governor in 2017 when Haley resigned to become U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. He won a full four-year term in the 2018 gubernatorial election after narrowly winning a runoff for the Republican nomination and defeating Democratic nominee James E. Smith Jr. in the general election. He won reelection against Democratic nominee Joe Cunningham in 2022.[3]

On January 29, 2025, McMaster was recognized as South Carolina's longest-serving governor.[4][5][6] He is also the third-longest serving incumbent governor in the United States. On April 17, 2025, President Trump appointed McMaster to the Homeland Security Advisory Council.[7]

Early life

[edit]

McMaster was born on May 27, 1947, in Columbia, South Carolina.[8] He is the eldest son of John Gregg and Ida Dargan (Pet) McMaster. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of South Carolina in 1969, and was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order fraternity.[9] In 1973, he received a Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law, where he served on the editorial board of the South Carolina Law Review. Later that year, he was admitted to the Richland County Bar Association of the South Carolina Bar. He served in the United States Army Reserve, receiving an honorable discharge in 1975.[8]

Upon graduation from law school, McMaster worked as a legislative assistant to U.S. senator Strom Thurmond in Washington, D.C., until 1974, when he joined the firm of Tompkins and McMaster. McMaster practiced law for almost 29 years, both as a federal prosecutor and in private practice, representing clients in the state and federal courts, trial and appellate.[10]

On April 13, 1993, Thurmond's 22-year-old daughter Nancy was killed by a drunk driver while jaywalking in Columbia, South Carolina. The driver, Corinne Koenig, immediately phoned McMaster, her attorney, and he was present at the scene as Nancy Thurmond was transported to the hospital. After learning the victim's identity, McMaster realized he had a conflict of interest and withdrew from the case.[11]

Early political career

[edit]
McMaster's law firm on Pendleton St. in Columbia, SC

United States attorney

[edit]

Upon Thurmond's recommendation, President Ronald Reagan nominated McMaster as United States attorney for the District of South Carolina in 1981—Reagan's first nomination for U.S. attorney. The Senate confirmed McMaster on May 21, 1981.[12] He headed the South Carolina Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee from 1981 to 1985.

During his tenure, McMaster created the federal drug task force Operation Jackpot to investigate South Carolina marijuana smugglers.[13] Operation Jackpot ultimately arrested more than 100 people for crimes related to marijuana and hashish trafficking. McMaster held numerous press conferences during the operation and gained publicity through interviews and comments. His actions were criticized as political, with journalist Lee Bandy writing, "no one can recall any other U.S. attorney being so public-relations conscious" and noting that McMaster had held more press conferences and news releases than all his predecessors combined.[14] McMaster completed his term as U.S. attorney on December 31, 1985.

Election bids and state appointments

[edit]

In 1986, after considering races for South Carolina lieutenant governor and attorney general, McMaster won the spirited Republican primary for the United States Senate against Henry Jordan, 27,696 votes (53.4%) to 24,164 (46.6%). McMaster lost the general election in a landslide to four-term Democratic incumbent Fritz Hollings, 463,354 votes (63.1%) to 261,394 (35.6%). He only managed to carry Lexington County.

In 1990, McMaster ran for lieutenant governor. He defeated Sherry Shealy Martschink in the Republican primary, 49,463 votes (51.46%) to 46,660 (48.54%), but again lost to the Democratic incumbent. He received 309,038 votes (41.19%) to Nick Theodore's 440,844 (58.75%).

In 1991, Governor Carroll A. Campbell Jr. appointed McMaster to the state's Commission on Higher Education, and the South Carolina Senate confirmed him. He also served on the board of directors of the nonprofit South Carolina Policy Council from 1991 to 2003, serving as board chairman from 1992 to 1993.[15] McMaster left the Ports Authority in 2015.[16]

South Carolina Republican Party chair

[edit]

On May 8, 1993, McMaster was elected chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party.[17] He was reelected by the State Republican Convention in 1996, 1998 and 2000. In this capacity, he also served as a member of the Republican National Committee from 1993 to 2002. Under McMaster's chairmanship, the Republican Party captured the governorship, several statewide offices and (with party switches) the State House of Representatives in 1994, and finally captured control of the powerful State Senate in 2000. Under McMaster, the South Carolina GOP also ran highly contentious and successful presidential primaries in 1996 (won by Bob Dole) and 2000 (won by George W. Bush).[citation needed] On March 28, 2002, McMaster announced his resignation as party chairman so that he could run for attorney general.[18]

Attorney General of South Carolina (2003-2011)

[edit]
Henry McMaster's official portrait, 2005

McMaster placed first in the Republican primary for attorney general, with 126,164 votes (42.41%), ahead of State Senator and former judge Larry Richter and attorney Jon E. Ozmint. He defeated Richter in the runoff, 162,014 votes (55.8%) to 128,271 (44.2%). In the general election, McMaster defeated Democratic attorney and former director of the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services Stephen K. Benjamin, 601,931 votes (55.5%) to 482,560 (44.5%) in the 2002 South Carolina attorney general election. He was reelected in 2006, unopposed in both the Republican primary and the general election.

Run for governor; Ports Authority

[edit]

In 2010, McMaster ran for governor, but finished third in the Republican primary with 71,187 votes (16.94%), ahead of Lieutenant Governor André Bauer's 52,324 (12.45%) but behind U.S. representative Gresham Barrett's 91,461 (21.76%) and state representative Nikki Haley's 205,360 (48.86%). He immediately endorsed Haley, who had been the front-runner throughout the race and defeated Barrett in the runoff by a landslide.[19]

In 2011, Haley appointed McMaster to the South Carolina Ports Authority, succeeding Harry Butler Jr. and was replaced by Kurt D. Grindstaff.[20]

Campaign finance violation

[edit]

On January 6, 2015, the Ethics Commission of South Carolina accused McMaster of accepting about $70,000 in donations to his 2010 campaign for governor, exceeding South Carolina's limit for donations by $51,850.[21] The commission released documents stating that McMaster accepted these extra funds to help settle campaign debt.[21][22] In September 2015, the commission refused to dismiss the complaint and McMaster's attorney indicated McMaster was likely to settle.[23] In March 2016, the commission ordered McMaster "to repay $72,700 in excess campaign contributions from his 2010 run for governor and pay a $5,100 fine."[24]

Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina (2015-2017)

[edit]

McMaster filed to run for lieutenant governor of South Carolina on March 27, 2014.[25] He received 44% of the vote in a four-way Republican Party primary, forcing a runoff between him and Mike Campbell, son of former governor Carroll A. Campbell Jr.[26] McMaster defeated Campbell with 63.6% of the vote[27] and faced Democratic state representative Bakari Sellers in the general election. During the campaign, Sellers challenged McMaster to renounce his 30-year membership in Columbia's Forest Lake Country Club, a private country club alleged to exclude black members; in response, McMaster's campaign manager said that the club "[had] no policies of racial discrimination" and that McMaster "would not be a member if it did."[19][28][29] On November 4, 2014, McMaster was elected lieutenant governor with 58.8% of the vote.[30] Upon his inauguration, he succeeded Democrat Yancey McGill.[a]

McMaster was elected on a separate ticket from Governor Haley, the last time a lieutenant governor was elected in this manner; as of 2018, candidates for governor and lieutenant governor run on the same ticket.[31] During the 2016 presidential campaign, McMaster was an early and avid supporter of Donald Trump. He claimed to be the first elected politician in the United States to support Trump. After Trump won the Republican nomination, McMaster delivered the nominating speech at the Republican National Convention.[32]

Governor of South Carolina (2017-present)

[edit]

Appointment and elections

[edit]
McMaster meeting with John F. Kelly, the United States secretary of homeland security, in February 2017.
McMaster (center) visits the South Carolina National Guard Air and Ground Expo at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, May 2017
McMaster briefs press on South Carolina's emergency response to Hurricane Dorian, 2019
President Donald Trump and Henry McMaster rollout the first Boeing 787-10 at the factory in Charleston, South Carolina.

On November 23, 2016, President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate Haley as Ambassador to the United Nations.[33] On January 24, 2017, the Senate confirmed Haley. Later that day, she resigned as governor and McMaster assumed the governorship. Inaugurated at the age of 69 years and 8 months, McMaster is the oldest person ever to assume the office of governor in South Carolina.[34] During the 2024 Republican Party presidential primaries, Trump said he nominated Haley in order for McMaster to become governor.[35] McMaster served the remainder of Haley's term, which expired in January 2019.

McMaster placed first in the June 2018 Republican gubernatorial primary with 155,072 votes.[36] But since he received 42.3% of the vote, less than a majority, he faced John Warren in a runoff. On June 26, McMaster won the runoff with over 53% of the vote.[37] McMaster chose businesswoman Pamela Evette as his running mate over incumbent lieutenant governor Kevin L. Bryant, who ran against McMaster for the gubernatorial nomination.[38] Trump endorsed McMaster. McMaster defeated Democratic nominee James Smith in the general election with 54% of the vote.[39]

McMaster ran for reelection in 2022 and secured the Republican nomination in the June 14 primary. He defeated the Democratic nominee, Joe Cunningham, in the general election.[40][3]

Endorsements

[edit]

McMaster has endorsed Lindsey Graham in the 2026 United States Senate race, and is serving in a leadership capacity on Graham's campaign team.[41]

Policies

[edit]

Abortion

[edit]

McMaster opposes abortion. On February 18, 2021, he signed a bill into law that would ban most abortions.[42] The next day, a federal judge suspended the law until June 2022.[42] After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, McMaster said he "looks forward to the day we don't have abortions," and that he would sign any anti-abortion bill that came across his desk.[43]

In 2023, McMaster signed the Heartbeat bill into law, prohibiting abortion after a heartbeat is detected (usually six weeks into pregnancy).[44] The next day, courts blocked the law; McMaster and Republican lawmakers appealed to the South Carolina Supreme Court.[45] On August 23, 2023, the state supreme court overrode the block, restoring the stricter prohibition.[46]

Fiscal policies

[edit]
McMaster speaking in February 2017

On February 6, 2017, McMaster's first major action as governor was to request $5.18 billion from President Trump for South Carolina's infrastructure. Trump made no public statement about McMaster's request. Later in February, McMaster announced, "[the] state government is going to have to go on a diet as far as spending." On May 9, 2017, he vetoed a bill that would have raised the state's gas tax by 12 cents—the largest tax increase in state history—but the South Carolina General Assembly overrode his veto the following day.[47][48] McMaster said the state had "plenty of money in the system to do all the work on the roads if we would just apply it to the roads that need the work...It's not necessary to put yet another tax on the people of South Carolina."[49] In 2023, McMaster appointed Democrat Brian J. Gaines as Comptroller General in a recess appointment.[50]

McMaster, a strong ally of Donald Trump, greets the president as he arrives in South Carolina

Firearms

[edit]

McMaster is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the National Rifle Association, and legislation that gives citizens easy access to firearms.[51] When students led a walkout to protest gun violence and call for stricter gun control a month after the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, McMaster called the walkout "shameful" and said it was a "tricky move" orchestrated by "left-wing groups" that were using the students as "tools" to further their agenda.[52] Student activist David Hogg, who survived the Parkland shooting, criticized McMaster, saying in a tweet that "future voters will not reelect you and outlive you too."[52] In 2021, McMaster signed a bill that allows South Carolina's citizens to open carry a firearm with a concealed weapons permit, which required holders to pass a training course and background check.[53] But that requirement was eliminated after McMaster signed legislation in 2024 that allows permit-less open carry. The law also reduced the minimum age for handgun ownership from 21 to 18 and increased penalties for unlawful uses of firearms.[54]

Immigration

[edit]

In 2018, McMaster offered to send troops from the South Carolina National Guard to assist Texas in combating illegal immigration and drug trafficking. This came after Trump called for the deployment of thousands of soldiers along the Mexico–United States border, in which border states such as Arizona and New Mexico also participated.[55] In 2023, after a request for assistance by Texas governor Greg Abbott following the expiration of Title 42, McMaster authorized the deployment of South Carolina National Guard troops to Texas.[56] He called the troop mobilization an attempt to "stop the drug cartels, criminals, and terrorists from entering our country to peddle their poison".[57]

Labor unions

[edit]

In 2024, McMaster joined five other Republican governors (Kay Ivey, Brian Kemp, Tate Reeves, Bill Lee, and Greg Abbott) in a statement opposing the United Auto Workers unionization campaign.[58][59][60]

LGBTQ+ issues

[edit]

In 1993, as chair of the South Carolina Republican Party, McMaster criticized a bill cosponsored by Senator Fritz Hollings, a Democrat, that would prohibit workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation. McMaster said, "I want to know why he sponsored the gay-rights bill that allows homosexuals to be recruited to teach in schools, among other things." In 2006, as attorney general, McMaster successfully led the fight to ban same-sex marriage in South Carolina. He also said that South Carolina should "secede" over Don't Ask, Don't Tell.[61][62] In an October 2022 gubernatorial debate, McMaster said that if the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Obergefell v. Hodges, he would enforce South Carolina's preexisting legislation that banned same-sex marriage.[63][64][65] In 2022, he signed a bill that requires student athletes from elementary school to college to play on the team that corresponds to the gender listed on their birth certificates.[66][67]

COVID-19 pandemic

[edit]
See also: COVID-19 pandemic in South Carolina
McMaster and President Donald Trump.

Like most governors during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States in 2020, McMaster declared a state of emergency. On April 20, 2020, McMaster drew criticism for reopening beaches and retail stores five days after South Carolina experienced its highest number of new positive COVID-19 tests,[68] but he did include additional social distancing requirements in his executive order.[69] McMaster said the economy was stalled because of the pandemic and that he anticipated having the economy "humming" by June 2020.[70] By early June, McMaster reopened the majority of the state, though schools remained closed and businesses were required to follow social distancing procedures.[71] Many schools and universities across the country canceled graduation ceremonies,[72] but McMaster urged South Carolina schools to hold ceremonies in a manner that abided by social distancing requirements.[73] He delivered the commencement address at West Florence High School's graduation ceremony and sang "Mull of Kintyre" while playing his guitar.[74]

On June 10, state epidemiologist Linda Bell said that COVID-19 was worse in June than it was when the state was closed in March and April. On average, the number of cases in early June was five to six times higher than in March and April. McMaster said, "it is up to the people to determine what kind of precautions need to be followed," indicating that he would not place any more restrictions on businesses and public facilities.[75][76] Bell accused McMaster of intentionally misleading the public about her stance on reopening the economy; she claimed that his staff was "somewhat manipulative"[77] and made it appear that she and other scientists backed his plan to reopen the economy when she did not.[77]

By late June and early July, confirmed cases in South Carolina had risen by as much as 2,000% compared to March and April.[78] Despite pleas from lawmakers and other state officials, McMaster declined to enact a statewide requirement to wear masks, saying that such an order would be unenforceable.[79] Consequently, dozens of municipalities enacted their own mask requirement ordinances, including Columbia, Forest Acres, Greenville, Charleston, Lexington, and most large cities and towns.[80] Bell criticized McMaster's decision and said a statewide mask requirement would be more effective. McMaster responded that a statewide requirement would give a “false sense of security to South Carolinians."[79] Attorney General Alan Wilson noted that ordinances and laws requiring masks are not illegal.[80] On July 10, as the state's COVID-19 cases exceeded 50,000 and nearly 900 deaths,[81] McMaster issued an executive order prohibiting businesses from selling alcohol after 11 p.m. in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus among younger people.[82]

On July 15, McMaster said in an address that South Carolina schools should give parents the option to send students to in-person classes in September 2020. He instructed Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman to reject any school's reopening plan if it did not allow in-person learning.[83][84] Groups such as the Palmetto State Teachers Association, the S.C. Education Association, and SC for Ed criticized McMaster's order, saying that it "would needlessly jeopardize the health and safety of our state's 800,000 students and more than 50,000 teachers."[85] Several school districts, including Greenville County School District, the state's largest, denounced the order.[86] Spearman, a Republican elected independently of McMaster, also disapproved of his order.[84]

On July 29, McMaster signed an executive order requiring face masks for employees and patrons in all South Carolina restaurants and bars and prohibiting any restaurant from operating at more than 50% capacity, seating tables less than six feet apart, or allowing people to congregate at a bar.[87] By October, McMaster lifted most restrictions and unveiled SC CARES Act grants, a $65 million program aimed at helping small businesses and minority-owned businesses affected by COVID-19.[88]

On December 22, the governor's office announced that McMaster and wife had both tested positive for COVID-19.[89]

In 2021, McMaster said he would block the federal government from sending people door-to-door to promote vaccinations.[90] In September 2021, he criticized federal vaccine requirements, saying, "Biden and the radical Democrats [have] thumbed their noses at the Constitution."[91] McMaster pledged to fight Biden "to the gates of hell" over the vaccine requirement.[92]

George Floyd protests

[edit]
See also: George Floyd protests

In response to the murder of George Floyd in Minnesota, protests flared across the nation. In South Carolina, protests occurred in Columbia, Greenville, and Charleston. Greenville's protests were largely peaceful, but there were some instances of violence in Columbia and Charleston. In Columbia, police cars were torched, shots were fired at police, and businesses were vandalized. In Charleston, protesters stopped traffic on Interstate 26 and the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge.[93] Like President Trump, McMaster said that state and local governments were being too lenient on rioters and looters and was critical of Charleston's initial response. He said to Trump, "We've got to take people out, give them justice, make it more than just the cost of doing business to come into one town, get arrested, pay bond."[94] McMaster mobilized the South Carolina National Guard to be dispatched, if necessary, to halt riots and looting. At Trump's request, he also sent members of the National Guard to Washington, D.C. to aid in larger-scale protests.[95]

Allegations and investigations

[edit]

Corruption investigation

[edit]
See also: South Carolina Statehouse corruption investigation

In 2017, McMaster, the University of South Carolina, BlueCross BlueShield, Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin, and a number of prominent state legislators were connected to Richard Quinn and Associates, a firm he employed for political consulting.[96][97] Quinn was named as part of a larger corruption probe Special Prosecutor David Pascoe conducted within the South Carolina General Assembly, which first ensnared then-Speaker Bobby Harrell, who resigned and pleaded guilty to public corruption charges in 2014.[98] McMaster has not been implicated in Pascoe's corruption probe, but four state legislators have been indicted as part of it as of May 2017.[99]

McMaster's connections to Richard Quinn and Associates caused him difficulty in the South Carolina legislature when he attempted to replace two members of the South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) Board of Directors whose terms had expired. At the time of McMaster's replacement nominations, the SCPA paid Quinn a consulting fee of $8,100 per month.[100] State lawmakers delayed the vote on McMaster's two nominees for two weeks, citing the ongoing corruption probe that had pulled in three Republican legislators.[101][102] Both nominees were confirmed after the SCPA voted to cease employing Quinn.[103][104] McMaster likewise ceased to use Quinn in advance of his 2018 gubernatorial campaign.[105]

Nukegate

[edit]
See also: Nukegate scandal

McMaster was in office when it was announced that SCANA and Santee Cooper were abandoning the expansion of the Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Generating Station in 2017. The event has been nicknamed the Nukegate scandal.[106][107] Following the retirement of Santee Cooper's chairman, McMaster appointed Charlie Condon as a replacement.[108] McMaster favors the sale of the utility, which he has called a "rogue agency" due to its independence and financial problems.[109]

Adams v. Henry McMaster

[edit]

McMaster is a longtime advocate of private education. In 2020, as part of the Governor's Emergency Education Relief (GEER) and the CARES Act, federal funds were distributed to support education in states amid the COVID-19 pandemic. McMaster announced that he sought to use $32 billion, or two thirds, of South Carolina's $48 billion allotment on private school vouchers, and that 5,000 grants to private schools would be made with the federal relief money.[110] His decision received harsh criticism from educators and politicians around the state.[111] The Palmetto State Teachers Association stated that the money could have been better used for South Carolina's nearly 1,000,000 students in public education instead of 5,000 students in private schools. SC for Ed, a teachers' advocacy group, called the decision "disappointing."[111][112]

McMaster's supporters argued that parents should have a choice about where to send their children. On July 22, 2020, McMaster's decision was halted by court order after educators sued him for failing to uphold a principle of the South Carolina Constitution: "No money shall be paid from public funds nor shall the credit of the State or any of its political subdivisions be used for the direct benefit of any religious or other private educational institution."[113][114] McMaster's attorneys argued that the decision to use emergency funds for private schools should be decided by the voters or the South Carolina General Assembly, not a court order.[114] On October 7, in the case Adams v. Henry McMaster, the South Carolina Supreme Court unanimously struck down McMaster's decision, citing a violation of the state constitution.[115] On October 23, McMaster filed a petition to the court to review the ruling.[116]

Comments about Democrats

[edit]

In May 2023, McMaster angered Democrats after saying at a convention at River Bluff High School: "I look forward to the day that Democrats are so rare, we have to hunt them with dogs." Democrats demanded an apology and compared the comments to slave catchers who would use dogs to hunt escaped slaves.[117][118] A spokesperson for McMaster said that he "has been making this joke at GOP conventions for years, and everyday South Carolinians understand that it's a joke."[119]

Kidnapping plot allegations

[edit]
See also: Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot

On October 8, 2020, a federal indictment against six men associated with the Wolverine Watchmen, a Michigan-based militia group, was unsealed. The indictment charges the men with plotting to kidnap Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer and violently overthrow Michigan's government.[120] A search warrant unsealed on October 28 revealed that the suspects had also discussed targeting McMaster during the early stages of their planning. One of the suspects was arrested in Columbia at the time the plot was uncovered, but there was no indication that he had plans of going after McMaster.[121][122]

Conservation and preservation

[edit]

McMaster has been an advocate of preserving the Gullah culture, an African American ethnic group who predominantly live in South Carolina's Lowcountry region.[123] In 2022, he declared the first week in August to be Gullah/Geechee appreciation week,[124] and awarded the Order of the Palmetto award to Queen Quet, the chieftess of the Gullah/Geeche nation.[125] McMaster has also called for the preservation of South Carolina's environmental landscapes from "over-development, mismanagement, flooding, erosion or from storm damage."[126] He argued that such conservation would preserve South Carolina's culture and the economic revenue generated from such landscapes.[127]

Veto record

[edit]
McMaster sworn in to his second full term, January 11, 2023.

As of May 21, 2025, McMaster has signed nearly 1,000 bills, vetoed 36, and had 24 vetoes overridden.[128][129]

McMaster's Legislative Record
Legislative Action
 Total
Bills Signed
 976
Bills Vetoed
 36
7
Vetoes Sustained by Legislature
 10
Vetoes Overridden by Legislature
 24

Personal life

[edit]

Family

[edit]

McMaster has been married to Peggy McMaster (née Anderson) since 1978. They have two adult children and reside in Columbia, South Carolina. He owns an English Bulldog named Mac. McMaster and his family attend First Presbyterian Church in Columbia.[130]

Properties

[edit]

McMaster and his wife own several houses and rental apartments in the Columbia area. One home they own is the McCord House, which was constructed in 1849 and used as a Union headquarters during the Civil War.[131][132] McMaster typically leases or rents these homes to University of South Carolina students; they are his largest source of income.[133] According to the Post and Courier, tenants have complained that the properties are unsafe and unsanitary. Images of roaches, outdated utilities, mold, bedbugs, mice, and bats validated the claim. Tenants have also complained about mold and having to wait months for pest control. When asked about the issues, McMaster denied the homes were unfit for renting. A spokeswoman for his campaign said, "Of course they are livable. No one would rent them if they were not."[133] In 2016, McMaster's tax return showed that he received $7.7 million in rent on such houses and apartments between 2006 and 2015; he paid a little over $500,000 for upkeep, maintenance, and cleaning. McMaster has also reportedly paid over $16,000 in fines for ordinance violations.[134] He has suggested that the fines were accrued because tenants trashed the properties.[133]

Electoral history

[edit]
Main article: Electoral history of Henry McMaster

McMaster ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in 1986, for lieutenant governor in 1990, and for governor in 2010. He was elected attorney general in 2002 and 2006, lieutenant governor in 2014, and governor in 2018 and 2022.

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Henry McMaster

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Henry Dargan McMaster (born May 27, 1947) is an American attorney and Republican politician who has served as the 117th since January 24, 2017. A native of , McMaster earned a in from the in 1969 and a from the same institution in 1973. His public service career spans over four decades, including roles as chairman of the from 1985 to 2002, for the District of from 1981 to 1985, and from 2003 to 2011. McMaster ascended to the governorship upon the resignation of to become U.S. to the , serving as from 2015. He won full terms in 2018 and 2022, defeating Democratic challengers amid South Carolina's economic expansion and his advocacy for tax reductions, including signing the state's largest cut in history to lower the top rate from 7% toward 6%. As , McMaster has prioritized economic development, attracting investments like expansions, and led responses to natural disasters such as . During his tenure as , he focused on combating and online child predation. McMaster's governance has emphasized and intervention, including resistance to expansive mandates and support for religious liberty protections in agencies. An early endorser of in 2016, he has maintained alignment with federal conservative policies while navigating state-specific issues like judicial reforms following scrutiny of qualifications. His administration has faced partisan critiques over vetoes of legislative pet projects and budget priorities, but has been credited with sustaining South Carolina's post-recession growth trajectory.

Early Life and Education

Family Background and Upbringing

Henry Dargan McMaster was born on May 27, 1947, in , to John Gregg McMaster Jr., an attorney who served two terms in the beginning in 1944, and Ida Dargan McMaster. He was the second of six sons raised in a family with deep roots in the state. McMaster's father, born in Florence, South Carolina, in 1914, also held the position of code commissioner from 1953 to 1954 and practiced in Columbia until his death at age 100 in 2015; the elder McMaster's legal career and provided a model of that influenced his sons. The family resided in Columbia throughout his childhood, where his five brothers—all of whom later lived there as adults—grew up alongside him in a marked by professional accomplishment and local prominence. Details of McMaster's early years highlight a typical Southern upbringing in the mid-20th-century capital city, including shared experiences with the family's five bulldogs; he has recalled his first memory as crawling across the porch to ride atop one of the dogs. The McMaster brothers maintained a strong fraternal bond, with multiple members initiated into the fraternity, reflecting family traditions of loyalty and Southern heritage.

Academic and Formative Experiences

McMaster received a degree in history from the in 1969. During his undergraduate years, he participated in the fraternity and the Student Legislature, activities that engaged him in leadership and mock governmental processes. He then pursued legal studies at the University of South Carolina School of Law, earning a degree in 1973 while serving on the editorial board of the South Carolina Law Review. This role involved reviewing and editing scholarly legal articles, honing his analytical skills in constitutional and state law matters. Overlapping with his academic pursuits, McMaster enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves in 1969, serving until 1975 with an honorable discharge; his assignment in the provided practical exposure to and discipline. Following graduation, he worked as a to U.S. Senator in , assisting with policy research and constituent services, which introduced him to national Republican politics and federal legislative operations.

Service as U.S. Attorney

Henry McMaster was nominated by President on March 23, , to serve as for the District of , upon the recommendation of U.S. Senator . He became the first U.S. Attorney appointed by Reagan nationwide and received unanimous confirmation from the U.S. Senate. McMaster assumed the role in , focusing on federal prosecutions in areas such as drug trafficking, corruption, and within the state's single judicial district. During his tenure, which lasted until 1985 upon completion of his four-year term, McMaster headed the Coordinating Committee, facilitating collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies on enforcement priorities. This position emphasized coordination for multi-jurisdictional investigations, aligning with Reagan administration goals to strengthen federal prosecutorial efforts against interstate crimes. A hallmark of McMaster's service was leading , a multi-agency probe into international drug smuggling networks operating along South Carolina's coast. The operation, involving the U.S. and local authorities, targeted marijuana importation from via shrimp boats and resulted in over 100 arrests and convictions, disrupting smuggling routes that had evaded prior detection. These outcomes demonstrated effective use of federal resources to dismantle cross-border criminal enterprises, contributing to broader national anti-drug initiatives in the early 1980s.

State-Level Roles and Party Leadership

Following his tenure as United States Attorney, McMaster returned to private legal practice in , while maintaining involvement in Republican politics. In 1986, he sought the Republican nomination for , advancing to a runoff against incumbent U.S. Representative Carroll Campbell but ultimately losing with 46% of the vote in the primary runoff on June 10, 1986. McMaster was elected chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party on March 27, 1993, succeeding Howard H. Hoechst Jr., and served in that role until December 2002. He was re-elected by the state Republican convention in 1996, 1998, and 2000, marking the longest tenure as state party chair to that point. During his leadership, the party achieved historic gains, securing Republican majorities in both chambers of the for the first time since Reconstruction, with the House flipping in 1994 and the Senate in 2001. These victories were attributed to effective recruitment of candidates, fundraising increases, and mobilization efforts amid national Republican momentum from the 1994 congressional elections. As party chairman, McMaster emphasized organizational reforms, including enhanced voter outreach in rural and suburban areas, which contributed to the election of Republican in 1994—the first GOP governor in since Reconstruction. He also navigated internal party challenges, such as debates over and social issues, while building coalitions with business leaders to support pro-growth policies. McMaster resigned as chairman in late 2002 to pursue the attorney general position, endorsing his successor, Karen Floyd, in a transition that maintained party unity. His leadership was credited with transforming the GOP from a minority party into a dominant force at the state level, setting the stage for sustained Republican control.

Tenure as Attorney General

Election and Key Prosecutions

McMaster was elected as South Carolina's 50th in the November 5, 2002, general election, defeating Democratic nominee Steve Benjamin by receiving 601,931 votes to Benjamin's 482,560, capturing 55.48% of the popular vote. He assumed office on January 15, 2003, and was reelected in 2006, serving until January 11, 2011. During his tenure, McMaster prioritized criminal prosecutions in areas including , internet predation against children, and . In response to the 2003 collapse of HomeGold Financial and affiliated Carolina Investors—a $250 million scheme that defrauded thousands of investors—McMaster expanded the state grand jury's jurisdiction to include via legislation he supported, then led investigations resulting in indictments and convictions of key executives. This included charges against six top officials of the entities, with one former state official receiving a four-year sentence for related . McMaster established the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force following the 2004 enactment of the Criminal Solicitation of a Minor law, which he championed to facilitate prosecutions of online child predators. The task force secured 101 convictions by September 2009, with 98 defendants receiving prison sentences, and achieved 200 arrests by November 2010 through sting operations targeting individuals soliciting minors for sexual activity. He also directed increased prosecutions for criminal , contributing to higher conviction rates, and extended authority to environmental crimes and gang violence to bolster enforcement against organized criminal activity. While McMaster's office pursued civil recoveries, such as a $45 million settlement in 2009 with over off-label marketing of the Zyprexa that overcharged state programs, his criminal focus emphasized accountability for white-collar and violent offenders where prior efforts had faltered.

Policy Priorities and Reforms

During his tenure as South Carolina Attorney General from 2003 to 2011, Henry McMaster prioritized aggressive prosecution of criminal , allocating resources to enhance enforcement and prevention efforts. He proposed a $2.2 million increase specifically for CDV prosecutions and initiated a program to support victims, while expanding training initiatives that included outreach to pastors and community leaders to recognize and report abuse. McMaster also led a statewide crackdown on internet predators, coordinating operations that resulted in arrests such as the sting apprehending an out-of-state offender targeting minors . This initiative harnessed prosecutorial and investigative resources to disrupt exploitation networks. A key reform under McMaster involved expanding the jurisdiction of the State to encompass environmental crimes, gang-related activities, and , broadening its authority to investigate complex, multi-jurisdictional offenses previously limited in scope. This legislative change, which he advocated and helped enact, enabled more effective statewide prosecutions. In securities enforcement, McMaster utilized the expanded powers to pursue high-profile cases, including a 36-month investigation into the Carolina Investors that targeted the top executives and froze assets in related $17 million frauds. These actions resulted in convictions carrying potential penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment and $50,000 fines per count under state securities laws. McMaster supported legislative efforts to impose the death penalty for child rape, arguing in 2006 that such measures would withstand constitutional scrutiny and deter severe offenses against minors.

Lieutenant Governorship

Ascension and Responsibilities

Henry McMaster was elected as the 92nd on November 4, , defeating Democratic state representative with 58.75% of the vote (726,821 votes to Sellers' 508,807). The election marked the last statewide race in where the and were chosen independently, as voters approved a in 2018 to require joint tickets starting in 2026. McMaster assumed office on January 14, 2015, succeeding Republican , who had served as interim after Glenn McConnell's resignation. As , McMaster's primary constitutional duties included presiding over the State , where he served as its president and cast tie-breaking votes when necessary. He also headed the Lieutenant Governor's Office on Aging, coordinating social, economic, and health support services for the state's elderly population through partnerships with local councils and federal programs. In this role, McMaster emphasized protecting seniors' access to essential services amid 's growing retiree demographic, which comprised over 16% of the population by 2015. Additionally, the position entailed readiness to succeed the in cases of vacancy, death, , or , a responsibility McMaster fulfilled on January 24, 2017, upon Nikki Haley's to become U.S. Ambassador to the .

Notable Actions and Positions

As from January 2015 to January 2017, Henry McMaster presided over the state Senate, casting tie-breaking votes on legislation as needed, and directed the Lieutenant Governor's Office on Aging to address the needs of the state's expanding elderly population. In this capacity, he prioritized expanding social, economic, and health support services for seniors, including advocacy for improved access to caregiving networks and community programs, efforts that culminated in the Office on Aging receiving the South Carolina Andrus Award for Community Service in 2016. McMaster maintained staunchly conservative positions during his tenure, advocating for abstinence-first sex education as official policy in public schools to emphasize personal responsibility and reduce teen pregnancies, while criticizing approaches for potentially encouraging promiscuity. He also pushed for the Personhood Act to grant legal rights to unborn children from fertilization, aligning with pro-life principles rooted in biological definitions of human life, though the measure faced repeated legislative hurdles due to concerns over its impact on fertilization and contraception. In foreign policy alignment, McMaster became the highest-ranking U.S. state official to endorse Donald Trump's 2016 presidential candidacy, speaking at a January 2016 rally in to praise Trump's outsider status and as antidotes to failures. This early support, amid Trump's primary challenges, underscored McMaster's preference for disruptive reform over in national leadership.

Governorship

Appointment and Electoral Victories

Henry McMaster became on January 24, 2017, upon the resignation of incumbent , who had been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Permanent Representative to the . As since 2015, McMaster automatically succeeded to the office under the state and was sworn in as the 117th that evening in the State House rotunda, with state legislators, family, and supporters present. His ascension marked the first time in over two decades that a had left office mid-term for a federal position. Seeking a full term in the 2018 election, McMaster won the Republican primary on June 12 against four challengers, including business executives Catherine Templeton and John Warren, advancing with a plurality of the vote. In the general election on November 6, he defeated Democratic state Representative James Smith, capturing 54 percent of the vote (809,976 votes) to Smith's 46 percent (703,637 votes) amid high turnout driven by competitive U.S. and congressional races. McMaster was inaugurated for his first elected term on January 9, 2019, pledging focus on economic growth and education. McMaster secured renomination unopposed in the June 14, 2022, Republican primary. He won a second full term in the general election on November 8, defeating Democratic former U.S. Representative Joe Cunningham by 58 percent (988,501 votes) to 42 percent (719,439 votes), a margin of over 16 points that represented the widest victory for a gubernatorial candidate in the state since 1986. This outcome reflected strong Republican performance in amid national midterm trends favoring the party.

Economic Policies and Growth Achievements

Governor has implemented pro-business policies emphasizing tax reductions and regulatory restraint to foster economic expansion in . In 2022, he signed legislation enacting the state's largest cut, reducing the top personal income tax rate from 7% to 6% over five years, beginning with an initial drop to 6.5%. These measures, coupled with 's right-to-work status and competitive business climate, have attracted significant corporate investments. Under McMaster's tenure since 2017, has announced over $39.1 billion in new capital investments and more than 90,000 jobs. In 2024 alone, the state secured $8.19 billion in investments, including $1.3 billion in the automotive sector and a $1 billion expansion by in Charleston County, promising over 5,500 new jobs. Expansions by established manufacturers like , which has invested $1.3 billion in its Ridgeville plant since 2015, have further bolstered the manufacturing base. Economic indicators reflect robust growth, with recording the nation's highest GDP increase of 1.7% in the first quarter of 2025 and fourth-highest growth at 9.1%. The state's unemployment rate stood at 4.1% in May 2025, and job growth has outpaced the national average in recent years. These outcomes stem from sustained efforts to prioritize low taxes and business recruitment, positioning as a leader in and advanced industries.

Fiscal Management and Budget Priorities

McMaster's fiscal approach as emphasizes relief for residents and businesses, balanced by investments in core state functions such as , public safety, and , funded through rather than or hikes. In his January 13, 2025, 2025-2026 executive budget proposal, he recommended $41.6 billion in total funds, including acceleration of the personal income rate cut from 6.2% to 6%, projected to return approximately $224 million to taxpayers annually. The plan prioritized $100 million for teacher pay raises to reach a $50,000 starting , full funding for school resource officers in every public school, and $200 million for Hurricane Helene disaster recovery, while avoiding new spending mandates. Building on prior reforms, McMaster signed the 2022 H. 5285 tax package, which schedules a phased reduction of the top individual income tax rate from 7% to 6% over five years, initiating with a drop to 6.5% effective January 1, 2023, and further to 6.4% in 2024. The FY 2025-2026 enacted budget, signed June 4, 2025, incorporated these cuts alongside $140 million in additional tax relief, achieving 80% alignment with McMaster's proposals and reflecting revenue growth from South Carolina's 2.5% GDP increase in 2024. To enforce spending restraint, McMaster frequently employs line-item vetoes; for the FY 2025-2026 budget, he vetoed 11 provisions totaling $10.5 million, targeting non-essential pork-barrel projects while preserving core allocations for and . Earlier, his FY 2023-2024 proposal allocated $500 million to the state rainy day fund, bolstering reserves to over $1 billion by mid-2023 amid post-pandemic revenue surges. Initial FY 2025-2026 surplus estimates of $1.8 billion from unexpected revenues were later clarified by a January 15, 2025, State Treasury forensic review as nonexistent due to prior-year accounting reallocations, confirming no funds were missing or misappropriated but underscoring the need for precise revenue forecasting. This episode highlighted McMaster's commitment to transparency, as the state maintained balanced operations without dipping into reserves.

Social and Cultural Policies

McMaster has pursued policies emphasizing the protection of unborn life, traditional family structures, and religious liberties. In May 2023, he signed the Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act (H.3549), which prohibits abortions after the detection of a fetal heartbeat—typically around six weeks of gestation—with limited exceptions for cases of rape or incest reported within the first 12 weeks and threats to the mother's life or major bodily function. This measure, enacted following the U.S. Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision, positioned South Carolina among states restricting elective abortions early in pregnancy, reflecting McMaster's stated commitment to safeguarding fetal life from conception where viable. On gender-related issues, McMaster signed legislation in May 2024 banning gender-transition procedures for minors, including blockers, therapies, and surgeries, with the defining such interventions as prohibited for those under 18 except in limited medical contexts unrelated to . He also approved a 2022 measure (H.4608) barring females from participating in female school teams, aligning with arguments prioritizing biological sex differences in competitive athletics to ensure fairness for female athletes. In October 2022, McMaster expressed support for defining marriage as between one man and one woman, stating he would back a state-level prohibition should the Supreme Court revisit . McMaster has advanced religious freedom protections, including a 2018 shielding faith-based foster care agencies from requirements to violate their doctrines, such as placing children with same-sex couples, which withstood legal challenges from groups like the ACLU. In June 2022, he enacted the Religious Freedom Act (H.3105), preventing state emergencies from mandating closures of houses of or discriminating against religious gatherings compared to secular ones, a response informed by restrictions. These actions underscore a policy framework prioritizing institutional religious exercise over competing nondiscrimination mandates. In cultural matters, McMaster has opposed obscene materials in public spaces; in November 2021, he directed investigations into "pornographic and obscene" content in schools and libraries, framing it as a safeguard against age-inappropriate exposure. Regarding Second Amendment rights, often intertwined with cultural views on and autonomy, he signed the Constitutional Carry Act (H.3594) in March 2024, permitting adults 18 and older who are legally eligible to possess firearms to carry concealed or openly without permits or training mandates, expanding access in line with states affirming inherent rights.

Public Safety and Law Enforcement

During his tenure as Attorney General from 2003 to 2011, Henry McMaster prioritized prosecutions related to criminal , coordinating resources from and prosecutors to address the issue statewide. He also led efforts to combat child internet predators through targeted crackdowns and extended protections against public . McMaster pursued high-profile cases, including the prosecution of six individuals for investment fraud in one of the largest such actions during his time in office. As governor since 2017, McMaster has advocated for enhanced support to personnel, including pay raises for officers, , and firefighters as part of broader commitments to public servants. In 2024, he signed Senate Bill 969 into law, increasing the subsistence deduction for officers to improve financial incentives and retention. He secured funding in 2025 to place a in every public school, emphasizing child safety and coordination with local agencies. McMaster has directed state solicitors to notify the attorney general before reducing charges against individuals accused of violent crimes, aiming to prevent lenient plea deals for serious offenses. McMaster has supported tougher penalties for repeat offenders, urging the General Assembly in his 2024 to enact graduated punishments for illegal gun possession amid rising concerns over . Under his governorship, South Carolina's murder rate fell 5.9% from 2022 to 2023, with overall murders decreasing 4.3%, continuing a trend of declining for the third consecutive year at nearly 6% reduction statewide. However, the state maintained one of the nation's higher overall crime rates, ranking ninth-highest per capita in 2024 data. On , McMaster has consistently backed its implementation, signing the Shield Statute in May 2023 to protect execution-related information and enabling as an option after acquiring necessary drugs. In 2021, he approved legislation requiring inmates to choose between the or firing squad due to pharmaceutical shortages for injections, facilitating the resumption of executions after a decade-long pause. He has denied clemency in prominent cases, such as that of Richard Moore in 2022, asserting the penalty's role in upholding justice for heinous crimes. McMaster established a Task Force to address South Carolina's persistently high rate of women killed by men, ranking second nationally, building on his earlier prosecutorial focus. He has linked bolstering to broader goals, including prevention and federal partnerships like collaborations to remove criminal noncitizens. In July 2025, he enacted the Hands-Free and Act to reduce roadway fatalities through stricter mobile device prohibitions.

Immigration and Border Policies

Governor Henry McMaster has advocated for stringent enforcement of immigration laws and enhanced border security measures during his tenure as governor. He has criticized federal policies under the Biden administration for incentivizing by failing to enforce existing laws, leading to increased burdens on state resources. In May 2023, McMaster directed the deployment of National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border in to assist with securing the southern border amid rising illegal crossings. This action aligned with broader Republican gubernatorial efforts, including participation in the American Governors' Border Strike Force announced in April 2022, which mobilized state resources to counter open border policies. McMaster signed legislation in 2024 establishing the Enforcement Unit within the () to enforce state and federal laws. This unit supports street-level , including pursuits of agreements under the federal 287(g) program, which deputizes local officers to identify and process removable noncitizens during routine policing. In October 2025, he joined U.S. Senator in promoting expanded local-federal cooperation, emphasizing financial incentives for participation in to deter illegal presence in the state. To prevent sanctuary jurisdictions, McMaster announced in October 2017 an initiative embedding in state law requirements for local cooperation with federal authorities, ensuring no municipalities adopt policies limiting such collaboration. mandates E-Verify usage by employers to confirm legal work authorization, a policy McMaster has upheld to curb unauthorized employment. In response to federal placements of unaccompanied migrant minors, McMaster directed the Department of Social Services in 2021 to assess capacity and issued an limiting acceptance to protect state welfare systems from overload. Nationally, he led 25 fellow Republican governors in a December 2024 statement endorsing President-elect Donald Trump's plans for mass deportations of criminal noncitizens and border fortification, citing prior state mobilizations of and Guard units to mitigate federal inaction. Earlier, in January 2024, he co-signed a governors' letter backing ' border security operations against illegal entries.

Education and Workforce Development

McMaster signed Act 213 into law on May 18, 2018, mandating the implementation of a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) in school districts starting in the 2019–20 school year to address early learning and literacy challenges through tiered interventions. In February 2022, he directed the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to review public school services, resulting in the number of school-based counselors doubling by January 2024. His administration supported 2022 reforming the education funding formula to simplify allocation and prioritize outcomes, followed by the October 25, 2023, launch of an online tracking per-pupil expenditures and district performance. Advocating for , McMaster endorsed the 2023 Education Scholarship Trust Fund program, which the ruled unconstitutional on September 11, 2024, prompting his call for legislative clarification. He signed a revised Education Scholarship Trust Fund Act on May 7, 2025, enabling state-funded scholarships for K-12 students to access private schooling or specialized programs, alongside the Educator Assistance Act to bolster teacher recruitment and retention. Budgets under his governorship have allocated recurring funds for teacher salary increases, targeting a $50,000 minimum starting pay, and school safety enhancements, including $46 million for trained resource officers. In workforce development, McMaster created the Office of Statewide Workforce Development in 2024 to coordinate for high-demand sectors, appointing its inaugural director on December 10, 2024. On August 28, 2025, he proclaimed September as Workforce Development Month, emphasizing investments in apprenticeships, technical education, and job fairs through partnerships with the Technical College System, which enrolls over students annually in skills programs aligned with industry needs. These efforts build on state initiatives to equip workers for , including expansions in and advanced .

Environmental and Infrastructure Initiatives

Under Henry McMaster's administration, has prioritized infrastructure investments to support economic expansion, including a proposed allocation of $500 million from state surplus funds in January 2024 to repair deteriorating bridges amid . In his Fiscal Year 2025-2026 executive budget announced on January 13, 2025, McMaster recommended $100 million for the South Carolina Infrastructure Investment Program to fund critical transportation projects. Key initiatives include the I-95 Widening and Improvements Project, the largest in South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) history, which broke ground on August 14, 2025, in Jasper County and features additional lanes, a new bridge, and interchange upgrades to enhance freight movement and safety. Bridge replacement efforts have advanced through federal and state coordination, such as the July 17, 2024, award of $175 million from the Federal Highway Administration to SCDOT for replacing four I-95 bridges in Clarendon, Sumter, and Florence counties. McMaster issued Executive Order 2025-22 on June 17, 2025, to expedite the replacement of the Old Vaucluse Road I-20 overpass in Aiken County, streamlining permitting and procurement processes. Pavement preservation has expanded, with the SCDOT Commission approving a 2026 plan on May 22, 2025, adding 732 miles to over 7,700 miles of ongoing or completed roadway improvements since 2017, when SCDOT's construction capacity stood at $2.7 billion. On energy infrastructure, McMaster signed the South Carolina Energy Security Act (H. 3309) on June 18, 2025, to bolster power generation and transmission capacity in response to rapid economic growth and rising demand, emphasizing reliable baseload sources over intermittent renewables. This followed Executive Order 2023-18 on June 9, 2023, creating the PowerSC interagency working group to assess and expand energy resources for economic development. Earlier, as attorney general, McMaster extended state grand jury jurisdiction to environmental crimes, enhancing enforcement against pollution without imposing broad regulatory burdens. Environmental initiatives under McMaster focus on resource stewardship integrated with economic priorities, including the September 24, 2024, Executive Order establishing the WaterSC working group to develop a state water plan addressing supply, quality, and usage across agencies and stakeholders. In his February 7, 2024, State of the State address, he proposed $33 million to preserve unique natural environments alongside cultural and historical sites. McMaster has publicly affirmed commitments to land protection, as stated at Sustain SC's Conservation Summit on April 25, 2025, while opposing policies that prioritize climate alarmism over verifiable infrastructure needs, amid South Carolina's 16% greenhouse gas emissions increase from 1990 to 2022 driven by industrial expansion.

Crisis Response and Emergency Management

Henry McMaster has coordinated South Carolina's responses to multiple natural disasters and public health emergencies through declarations of states of emergency, activation of the South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD), and mobilization of the National Guard. His administration emphasizes proactive preparation, interagency collaboration, and rapid deployment of resources to minimize impacts. In response to in September 2018, McMaster declared a on September 8, enabling the activation of the and preparation for coastal evacuations. He urged residents in low-lying areas to evacuate, particularly along the coast, and coordinated with federal agencies for post-storm recovery, including flood mitigation in the region where significant inland flooding occurred. The storm caused widespread power outages and river flooding, but state efforts focused on and infrastructure assessment, with Guard units assisting in affected counties. For Hurricane Dorian in August-September 2019, McMaster issued a on August 31, prompting early evacuations from barrier islands and the deployment of over 1,000 personnel for support operations. The hurricane grazed the coast as a Category 2 storm, leading to tornadoes and , but preparations including sandbagging and traffic management reduced casualties. President Trump approved federal aid for 11 counties at McMaster's request, supplementing state recovery efforts. During the , McMaster declared a in March 2020 and temporarily ordered non-essential businesses closed from March 31 to April 28, after which became one of the first states to fully reopen. He extended emergency powers through multiple to manage hospital capacity and supply chains but avoided prolonged lockdowns, defending the approach in January 2021 as minimizing economic disruption while addressing health risks. By September 2020, the state reported over 132,000 cases and 3,077 deaths, with ongoing measures including vaccine distribution coordination. McMaster's administration has also responded to inland flooding events, such as declaring emergencies for 2024 floods to facilitate local aid and federal declarations. Reciprocally, South Carolina has deployed SCEMD teams and Task Force 1 to assist other states, including Texas floods in July 2025 and Alaska storms in October 2025, reflecting a policy of mutual aid.

Foreign Policy and National Security Stances

McMaster was appointed by President to the on April 17, 2025, and chaired its first meeting on July 2, 2025, in , to provide guidance on homeland security priorities to Department of Homeland Security Secretary . The council focuses on threats including border security, cybersecurity, and disaster preparedness, reflecting McMaster's role in advising on federal responses to domestic vulnerabilities with implications. In his January 29, 2025, , McMaster advocated for expanded nuclear energy development in to enhance U.S. energy resilience, arguing it would deter foreign challenges to by ensuring reliable domestic power supplies. This stance aligns with broader Republican emphases on as a strategic asset against adversaries. McMaster has expressed firm support for , signing H. 4482 into law on May 23, 2024, which adopts the (IHRA) definition of antisemitism for state enforcement, stating that " has long stood with and with our Jewish community." Following the October 7, 2023, attacks, he issued a declaring October 8-14, 2023, as Solidarity Week, reaffirming U.S. and state commitment to 's defense. On October 13, 2023, he joined 18 other Republican governors in a letter urging President to adopt a more assertive posture against , emphasizing the need to eliminate the group as a threat. He reiterated this position on the second anniversary of the attacks, October 7, 2025, calling for remembrance of victims and continued solidarity with . In April 2017, McMaster endorsed the American Jewish Committee's opposition to the (BDS) movement targeting . Regarding , McMaster co-signed a December 4, 2023, letter with 16 other Republican governors pressing the Biden administration to halt Chinese entities' purchases of U.S. near installations, citing risks to from potential and influence operations. During a June 24, 2024, speech at Germany's Tag der Industrie conference, he addressed escalating U.S.- tensions, linking them to policies and a potential second Trump administration's approach.

Campaign Finance Allegations

In 2014, the Ethics Commission initiated an investigation into Henry McMaster's 2010 gubernatorial campaign, alleging 51 counts of violations related to accepting contributions exceeding state limits after his primary loss. The probe focused on approximately $72,700 in post-election donations from individuals and entities that surpassed the $3,500 per-election cycle cap per contributor under then-applicable law, which prohibited such excess funds from being retained by the campaign. McMaster's campaign had continued soliciting and accepting these funds to retire debts from the unsuccessful bid, a practice the commission deemed non-compliant despite arguments that the contributions aided deficit reduction. A formal hearing on the charges was scheduled for July 2015, amid McMaster's transition to following his 2014 election victory. On March 16, 2016, the Ethics Commission ordered McMaster to repay the $73,000 in excess contributions to donors and imposed a $5,100 fine equivalent to 10% of the violations' value, marking a resolution without escalation to criminal proceedings. McMaster agreed to the settlement, stating it aligned with his intent for full legal compliance, and completed payments by early 2017 prior to ascending to the governorship. No further campaign finance allegations against McMaster have been substantiated in subsequent elections or gubernatorial campaigns, including his 2018 and 2022 runs, where disclosures complied with updated state reporting requirements post-ethics reforms. Critics, including some conservative outlets, have noted the incident as emblematic of lax enforcement in South Carolina's pre-reform ethics environment, though McMaster's administration later advocated for strengthened oversight amid statewide scandals. The resolution underscored ongoing debates over post-election limits, with no evidence of personal enrichment or intent to evade disclosure.

Investigations into Administration

In January 2025, a review commissioned by the State Treasurer's Office concluded that a reported $1.8 billion surplus in state funds, announced in mid-2024, resulted from an accounting error rather than actual revenue or misappropriated money. The review, conducted by external firm , identified discrepancies in inter-agency fund transfers and reporting between the Comptroller General's Office and other entities, attributing the issue to unrecorded liabilities and overstated assets rather than . This determination prompted the of State George on January 23, 2025, amid criticism over his office's prior certification of state . The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission subsequently initiated an investigation into the state's misreporting of financial data in bond disclosures, focusing on compliance with securities regulations for municipal issuers. McMaster stated that the report confirmed no funds were missing or stolen, emphasizing the absence of intentional while noting the need for improved accounting protocols. By March 2025, related probes and audits had incurred over $8 million in taxpayer costs. The South Carolina Election Commission faced multiple probes during McMaster's tenure, including a South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) investigation launched in March 2024 into unspecified allegations of misconduct, initiated at the request of the state Attorney General's Office. This scrutiny contributed to high turnover, culminating in the October 2025 arrest of former Executive Director Howard Knapp on charges of embezzlement and misconduct in office, stemming from his alleged improper use of state vehicles for personal purposes between 2023 and 2025. Knapp, who had been fired earlier in 2025 amid broader commission instability, faced felony counts that highlighted internal management lapses in a key executive-branch agency responsible for election administration. McMaster intervened in related federal litigation over voter data sharing with the U.S. Department of Justice, arguing for state sovereignty in election integrity matters, though he publicly affirmed confidence in the commission's overall functionality despite the disruptions. These events occurred against a backdrop of lawsuits challenging the agency's voter roll maintenance practices, but no evidence linked the governor directly to the alleged misconduct. Other state-level inquiries under McMaster's administration primarily involved responses to external referrals rather than originating from within the executive branch. For instance, in February 2021, McMaster removed the director of the State Accident Fund and directed the State Inspector General to probe a specific amid concerns over mismanagement, though the investigation focused on operational irregularities rather than systemic . Broader state oversight bodies, such as the Office of Inspector General, continued routine examinations of fraud, waste, and abuse allegations across executive agencies, but no major indictments or findings implicated core administration officials in coordinated wrongdoing. Partisan critiques, including those from Democratic groups in , alleged patterns of mismanagement early in McMaster's governorship, but these lacked substantiation from independent probes and centered on legislative rather than executive actions.

Judicial and Policy Disputes

In 2020, the ruled against Governor Henry McMaster in Adams v. McMaster, invalidating his authorizing Safe Access to Flexible Education (SAFE) grants that redirected public funds to private schools amid school closures. The court held that the program violated Article XI, Section 4 of the state constitution, which prohibits the use of public funds for the direct benefit of private educational institutions, as the grants effectively subsidized private tuition without legislative approval. McMaster's administration faced multiple federal and state court challenges to its COVID-19 policies. In Mihal v. McMaster, the ACLU of South Carolina sued on behalf of non-essential state employees, arguing that McMaster's April 2021 executive order mandating their return to in-person work exceeded gubernatorial authority and violated statutory limits on executive power during emergencies. The lawsuit contended that the order usurped legislative prerogatives without adequate public health justification, though it did not result in a permanent injunction. Similarly, in Voltz-Loomis v. McMaster, the ACLU sought expedited releases or transfers of high-risk incarcerated individuals to mitigate COVID-19 spread in prisons, claiming deliberate indifference to constitutional rights under the Eighth Amendment; the suit prompted temporary releases but highlighted tensions over executive discretion in corrections policy. Reproductive policy disputes have centered on McMaster's defense of state restrictions. He signed the 2023 Heartbeat Act, banning most abortions after cardiac activity detection (around six weeks), which faced lawsuits alleging vagueness and overbreadth; in February 2025, McMaster's office responded that the law provides clear exceptions for life-threatening conditions and , rejecting claims of unconstitutional ambiguity. In Planned Parenthood South Atlantic v. McMaster, the in May 2025 addressed challenges to the 2021 and 2023 acts, affirming that they do not permit abortions beyond six weeks except in specified cases, rejecting Planned Parenthood's interpretation allowing later procedures. McMaster also supported executive and legislative efforts to exclude from funding, culminating in a June 2025 U.S. victory in Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, which reversed a and upheld to deny funds to the organization based on its non-compliance with eligibility criteria. McMaster has intervened in election-related litigation, including a 2025 state court case over the release of data to the U.S. Department of Justice. A circuit judge granted his motion to participate, allowing defense of state sovereignty against perceived federal overreach in accessing records for voter roll reviews. Separately, in August 2022, McMaster sued the Biden administration's OSHA over workplace vaccine mandates, seeking to protect South Carolina's state-plan autonomy; the U.S. later limited OSHA's authority in a related multi-state challenge. Judicial reform efforts arose from controversies over magistrate qualifications and oversight. Following 2021 investigations revealing unqualified or politically appointed magistrates handling serious cases, McMaster urged legislative changes to enhance training, background checks, and removal processes, signing a 2024 law adjusting judicial selection but calling for deeper reforms to address systemic issues in the state's civil justice system, which has been ranked a "judicial hellhole" due to high litigation abuse. In The Senate v. McMaster (2018), the state Supreme Court resolved ambiguity in a statute on pro rata fund distributions, siding with the governor's interpretation and avoiding broader political questions on executive spending authority.

Public Statements and Political Criticisms

McMaster has consistently advocated for restrictive abortion policies in public addresses. In February 2018, he issued a statement supporting the South Carolina Personhood Act, which sought to define life as beginning at fertilization, emphasizing the need to protect the unborn from the moment of conception. On May 25, 2023, he signed the Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act into law, prohibiting most abortions after approximately six weeks of pregnancy when a heartbeat is detectable, and described the measure as a moral imperative to safeguard fetal life. These positions align with his repeated calls in State of the State addresses for legislative action to limit abortions, including confidence in the constitutionality of heartbeat bans despite ongoing legal challenges. In immigration policy statements, McMaster has criticized federal Democratic approaches. During his January 19, 2022, , he condemned President Biden's reversal of Trump-era border measures on his first day in office, arguing that halting wall construction and altering enforcement priorities contributed to increased illegal crossings and strained state resources. He has supported enhanced security, including deploying units federally when requested, as in August 2025 amid urban unrest, framing such actions as necessary to uphold law and order against perceived lax federal responses. Regarding , McMaster defended South Carolina's relatively permissive response strategy in his January 13, 2021, , highlighting low case rates and economic reopening as evidence of balanced governance over stringent lockdowns favored by some critics. He rejected accusations of inaction, attributing state outcomes to voluntary compliance and targeted measures rather than mandates, though Democratic opponents, including the , claimed his approach mirrored insufficient federal efforts under President Trump and endangered . A notable controversial statement occurred at a May 2023 South Carolina Republican Party convention, where McMaster remarked that Democrats resemble dogs—"nice one-on-one, but dangerous in a pack"—and expressed anticipation for a future when they are "so rare, we have to hunt them with dogs." The comment drew widespread criticism from Democrats, who demanded an apology citing its evocation of historical racial , such as slavery-era tracking of escaped individuals with dogs; McMaster's office responded by clarifying it as hyperbolic political without intent to incite harm, but the backlash persisted, with outlets like labeling it inflammatory. Such has fueled accusations from left-leaning groups of fostering division, though supporters viewed it as pointed partisan banter amid electoral competition. McMaster's public endorsements and statements have bolstered his alignment with former President Trump, including joint appearances and praise for Trump's policies on and security, as seen in 2023 campaign events. Critics from within the GOP, such as during primary challenges, have occasionally faulted him for perceived moderation on spending or reforms, but these have been overshadowed by broader Democratic critiques of his fiscal vetoes and resistance to federal aid expansions like the American Rescue Plan, which he argued distorted state priorities. In responses to 2025 protests, including "No Kings" demonstrations, he emphasized peaceful assembly while warning against violence, positioning state forces to maintain order.

Personal Life

Family and Relationships

Henry McMaster has been married to Peggy McMaster (née McAbee) since March 18, 1978. The couple met while McMaster worked as a legislative assistant to U.S. Senator in , and they wed at First Baptist Church in . Peggy McMaster, who grew up in as the daughter of Thomas Wales McAbee and Mary Rogers McAbee, graduated from the with a degree in and ; she previously worked as a for and owned a in Columbia. McMaster and his wife have two adult children: son Henry Dargan McMaster Jr. and daughter Mary Rogers McMaster. The son married Virginia Roach in August 2018, and the daughter married Sam Herskovitz in March 2019 at the Governor's Mansion. The family includes four grandchildren and resides in Columbia with their English bulldog, Mac. McMaster's father, John Gregg McMaster, a and former judge, lived to age 100 and died in ; he notably influenced his son's early legal career by sharing stories from his own courtroom experiences. No other significant personal relationships or marital history beyond this are publicly documented in available records.

Residences and Private Interests

As governor, Henry McMaster resides in the at 800 Richland Street in Columbia, a historic structure built in 1855 originally as a residence for officers of the and now serving as the official home for the state's first family. The mansion functions both as a private residence and a site for public events, with McMaster noting its historical significance and accessibility for tours as key aspects of his experience there. Prior to and alongside his public roles, McMaster and his wife have owned multiple private properties in the Columbia area, including rental apartments on the 1700 block of Blanding Street, houses on Senate Street, Marion Street, and a historic residence on Gibbes Court, as well as the McCord House. The family also maintains a beach house in Pawleys Island, which generates rental income, and McMaster personally owns a 1.3-acre lot adjacent to the family property there, where rezoning efforts have been pursued to preserve its residential character. McMaster's private professional interests center on his pre-gubernatorial career as an attorney, spanning over 40 years in private practice, federal and state prosecution, and founding his own in Columbia, where he handled cases in both state and federal courts. His personal hobbies include playing guitar and reading history, reflecting a longstanding interest in South Carolina's past.

Electoral History

McMaster first entered statewide electoral in the 2010 Republican primary for , receiving 71,494 votes (16.93 percent) and placing third behind (47.53 percent) and Gresham Barrett (21.48 percent), failing to advance to the runoff. In 2014, McMaster secured the Republican nomination for after defeating Mike Campbell in the June 24 primary runoff. He won the general election against Democrat , garnering 726,821 votes (58.75 percent) to Sellers's 508,807 (41.12 percent). Following his 2017 ascension to the governorship upon Nikki Haley's resignation, McMaster won renomination in the 2018 Republican primary with a plurality of approximately 42 percent, then prevailed in the June 26 runoff against John Warren (52.5 percent to 47.5 percent). In the general election, he defeated Democrat James Smith Jr., receiving 54.01 percent of the vote to Smith's 45.33 percent in the closest gubernatorial contest in since 1994. McMaster was unopposed in the 2022 Republican primary for and won a full second term in the general election against Democrat Joe , securing 988,109 votes (58.06 percent) to Cunningham's 689,689 (40.58 percent), with the remainder to minor candidates—the widest margin for an incumbent in the state's modern .
ElectionOfficeParty Primary Vote (%)General Election Vote (%)
2010Governor (R Primary)16.93% (3rd place)N/A
2014Lt. GovernorRunoff winner58.75% (winner)
2018GovernorPrimary: ~42%; Runoff: 52.5% (winner)54.01% (winner)
2022GovernorUnopposed58.06% (winner)

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