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Hugh Thompson Rice Jr. (born August 4, 1957) is an American lawyer and politician who served as the U.S. representative for South Carolina's 7th congressional district from 2013 to 2023. The district serves most of the northeastern corner of the state and includes Myrtle Beach, the Grand Strand, Florence, Cheraw, and Darlington. A Republican, Rice was first elected in 2012 and was a member of the freshman class chosen to sit at the House Republican leadership table. Rice was reelected in 2014, defeating Democratic nominee Gloria Bromell Tinubu in a rematch of the 2012 election.[1][2]

Key Information

Rice was one of ten Republicans to vote to impeach Donald Trump in the second impeachment of Donald Trump.[3][4] In January 2021, the South Carolina Republican Party censured him for voting for the impeachment.[5] In 2022, Trump endorsed a primary opponent for his seat.[6] Rice lost the Republican nomination in the June 14 primary to South Carolina state representative Russell Fry, garnering less than 25% of the vote.[7][8] He is also the only member of Congress who voted against certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election and in favor of Trump’s impeachment.

Early life and education

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Rice was born in Charleston, South Carolina, on August 4, 1957. He was four years old when his parents divorced, and his mother, a teacher, took him and his brother Clay to Myrtle Beach. Rice's first job was a busboy when he was 12, and he was variously a night shift fry cook, a grocery store bag boy, and miniature golf course manager while still in high school. Rice was 16 when his father died.[citation needed]

Rice was offered a scholarship to Duke University but enrolled at the University of South Carolina, where he earned a bachelor's degree (B.S.) and in 1979, a master's degree in accounting. In 1982, he earned a J.D. degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law.[citation needed]

Early career

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After college, Rice worked at the accounting/consulting firm of Deloitte & Touche in Charlotte, where he earned his CPA certificate. In 1985 he returned to Myrtle Beach to practice tax law with the law firm Van Osdell, then established his own practice, Rice & MacDonald, in 1997.[9] He was elected chair of the Horry County Council in 2010, serving until he resigned from the position on December 31, 2012, in order to take his seat in Congress.[10]

U.S. House of Representatives

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Elections

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2012

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Main article: 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina

Rice was elected to the U.S. House in 2012 as the first representative for the newly created 7th district. He defeated Jay Jordan, Randal Wallace, Dick Withington, James Mader, Chad Prosser, Katherine Jenerette, and Renee Culler in the June 12 Republican primary to advance to a runoff. In the June 26 runoff he defeated Andre Bauer. Rice defeated Gloria Bromell Tinubu in the November 6 general election.[2][11]

2014

[edit]
Main article: 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina

Rice was reelected in 2014, defeating Bromell Tinubu again, with 60.15% of the vote to her 39.85%.[1]

2022

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Main article: 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina § District 7

On June 14, 2022, Rice lost the Republican nomination to Russell Fry by a landslide.[7]

Tenure

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In December 2012, the House appointed Rice to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the Committee on the Budget and the Committee on Small Business of the 113th Congress.[12][13]

On January 8, 2013, Congressman Sam Graves appointed Rice chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax and Capital Access.[14]

On January 22, 2013, Rice was appointed to the following subcommittees: Highways and Transit, Water Resources and Environment, and Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. He said the appointments would allow him to work for the funding and construction of Interstate 73 as well as the dredging of the Georgetown Port.[15][16]

On November 11, 2013, Rice was appointed to the water resources conference committee, which helped resolve differences between the House and Senate versions of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2013. The version that passed the House would allow for the dredging of the Georgetown port, a $33 million project that would boost the local economy; Rice said, "I have made it my goal to do whatever it takes to champion South Carolina's ports."[17][18][19][20]

Rice has co-sponsored several pieces of legislation including Safe Schools Act of 2013, a bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act and health care-related provisions in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 and others.[21]

Rice has pushed changes to port funding[22][23] and offered victims help to replace Social Security cards and other federal documents after a massive fire destroyed 26 condo buildings in the Myrtle Beach area.[24]

On December 18, 2019, Rice joined all House Republicans in voting against impeaching Trump on both articles.

On January 13, 2021, Rice was one of ten Republicans who voted to impeach Trump a second time.[25] As late as two days before the impeachment debate, he opposed impeaching Trump.[26] But Rice told The Post and Courier that Trump's response to the storming of the Capitol changed his mind. He criticized Trump for neither offering condolences to those who were injured nor expressing regret about the two police officers who died. In a press release, Rice also upbraided Trump for his lack of contrition. Ultimately, Rice said, Trump's "utter failure" in the matter forced him to vote for impeachment.[27][28] He did so later that day, alongside nine other Republicans.[4]

On January 30, 2021, the South Carolina Republican Party voted to formally censure Rice for his impeachment vote.[29]

On May 19, 2021, Rice was one of 35 Republicans who joined all Democrats in voting to approve legislation to establish the January 6 commission meant to investigate the storming of the U.S. Capitol.[30]

On February 1, 2022, Trump endorsed state representative Russell Fry in the Republican congressional primary in retaliation for Rice's vote for impeachment. Trump said, "Congressman Tom Rice of South Carolina, the coward who abandoned his constituents by caving to Nancy Pelosi and the Radical Left, and who actually voted against me on Impeachment Hoax #2, must be thrown out of office."[31] In March, after a Trump rally in South Carolina where Fry had spoken, Rice responded, calling Trump "a would-be tyrant, because, like no one else I've ever met, he is consumed by spite."[6] "I took one vote he didn't like and now he's chosen to support a yes man candidate who has and will bow to anything he says."[6] "If you want a Congressman who supports political violence in Ukraine or in the United States Capitol...who supports a would-be tyrant over the Constitution...then Russell Fry is your candidate.”[6]

On June 5, 2022, Rice was interviewed on ABC and asserted that he had "no regrets" about his action. When the interviewer told him that, in his obituary, "the first sentence is going to be 'Tom Rice, who was a Republican member of Congress, voted to impeach Donald Trump'", Rice's reply was, "So be it," he said. "I'll wear it like a badge. So be it."[32]

Rice was interviewed by NBC News on June 13, 2022, and when asked about Trump's actions, he said, "He threw a temper tantrum that culminated with the sacking of the United States Capitol" and "It's a direct attack on the Constitution, and he should be held accountable".[8]

Political positions

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Foreign policy and defense

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In June 2021, Rice was one of 49 House Republicans to vote to repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002.[33][34]

Immigration

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Rice voted against the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020, which authorizes DHS to nearly double the available H-2B visas for the remainder of FY 2020.[35][36]

LGBT rights

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On July 19, 2022, Rice and 46 other Republican Representatives voted for the Respect for Marriage Act, which would codify the right to same-sex marriage in federal law.[37]

Committee assignments

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Caucus memberships

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Electoral history

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2022 U.S. House of Representatives 7th district Republican primary[44]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Russell Fry 43,509 51.1
Republican Tom Rice (incumbent) 20,927 24.6
Republican Barbara Arthur 10,481 12.3
Republican Ken Richardson 6,021 7.1
Republican Garrett Barton 2,154 2.5
Republican Mark McBride 1,676 2.0
Republican Spencer Morris 444 0.5
Total votes 85,212 100.0
2020 U.S. House of Representatives 7th district general election[45]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Rice 224,993 61.8
Democratic Melissa Ward Watson 138,863 38.1
Write-in 235 0.1
Total votes 364,091 100.0
Republican hold
2018 U.S. House of Representatives 7th district general election[46]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Rice 142,681 59.6
Democratic Robert Williams 96,564 40.3
Write-in 309 0.1
Total votes 239,554 100.0
Republican hold
2014 general election[47]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Rice 102,833 59.95
Democratic Gloria Bromell Tinubu 68,576 39.98
Independent Write-in 115 0.07%
Total votes 171,524 100
2012 U.S. House of Representatives 7th district Republican primary[48]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Andre Bauer 12,037 32.13
Republican Renee Culler 279 0.74
Republican Katherine Jenerette 1,457 3.89
Republican Jay Jordan 8,107 21.64
Republican Jim Mader 180 0.48
Republican Chad Prosser 3,824 10.21
Republican Tom Rice 10,252 27.36
Republican Randal Wallace 691 1.84
Republican Dick Withington 641 1.71
Total votes 37,468 100
2012 U.S. House of Representatives 7th district Republican primary runoff[49]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Rice 16,844 56.11
Republican Andre Bauer 13,173 43.89
Total votes 30,017 100
2012 U.S. House of Representatives 7th district general election[50]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Rice 153,068 55.51
Democratic Gloria Bromell Tinubu 114,594 41.56
Working Families Gloria Bromell Tinubu 7,795 2.83
Independent Write-in 281 0.10
Total votes 275,738 100

Personal life

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Rice and his family live in Myrtle Beach. He married his wife Wrenzie in 1982 and they have three sons.[51] He is an Episcopalian.[52]

In late May 2020, Rice announced that he refused to wear a face mask in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States while in Congress; in mid-June, he announced that he, his wife, and his son, had all been infected with COVID-19.[53]

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Tom Rice

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Hugh Thompson Rice Jr. (born August 4, 1957), commonly known as Tom Rice, is an American attorney, certified public accountant, and Republican politician who represented South Carolina's 7th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 2013 to 2023. Rice earned a B.S., a master's degree in accounting, and a J.D. from the University of South Carolina, after which he worked as a staff accountant at Deloitte before entering private practice as a tax specialist and founding his own law firm. Prior to his federal service, Rice chaired the Horry County Council from 2010 to 2012, where he focused on local economic development and fiscal management in a district encompassing Myrtle Beach and surrounding coastal areas. In Congress, he served on the House Ways and Means Committee, advocating for tax reform and spending restraint, consistent with conservative principles on limited government. His tenure became notably defined by his vote as one of ten House Republicans to impeach President Donald Trump in January 2021 for alleged incitement of insurrection following the Capitol riot, a decision he framed as a constitutional obligation despite widespread party opposition. This vote precipitated intense primary challenges and his electoral defeat in June 2022 to state Representative Nancy Mace, marking a significant intraparty rift over loyalty to Trump.

Early life and education

Upbringing in South Carolina

Hugh Thompson Rice Jr., known as Tom Rice, was born on August 4, 1957, in Charleston, South Carolina. At the age of four, Rice's parents divorced, after which his mother, a teacher, relocated with him and his brother Clay to Myrtle Beach in Horry County. He was raised primarily in Myrtle Beach, where his family settled following the divorce. Rice's early years in Myrtle Beach occurred during a period of growth for the coastal community, which transitioned from a seasonal resort destination to a more established residential area in the late 20th century, though specific details of his childhood experiences beyond the family relocation remain limited in public records. His upbringing in this South Carolina setting laid the foundation for his later residency and political involvement in the region.

Academic and early professional training

Rice earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the in 1979, followed by a Master of from the of in the same year, and a Juris Doctor from the of Law in 1982. Following his graduation from law school, Rice initially worked in accounting before entering tax law practice. In 1985, he joined the Van Osdell Law Firm in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where he focused on tax law. In 1997, he co-founded the Rice & MacDonald Law Firm, specializing in tax law, estate planning, and probate matters; he received certification as a specialist in these areas from the Supreme Court of South Carolina from 1994 to 2009.

Pre-political career

Prior to entering politics, Rice worked as a certified public accountant after earning a master's degree in accounting from the University of South Carolina, including employment at the firm Deloitte & Touche in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 1985, following his admission to the bar, Rice returned to Myrtle Beach to join the Van Osdell Law Firm, where he specialized in tax law until 1997. In that year, he co-founded the Rice & MacDonald Law Firm, serving as a partner; the practice continued to emphasize tax-related matters, and by 2007, Rice held a counsel position at the expanded Rice, MacDonald, & Hicks Law Firm. Rice's business activities included real estate holdings and investments managed through family entities such as the Rice Family LLC and companies like Rice Properties and Rice REI, with reported assets in Myrtle Beach-area properties and recreation facilities including memberships or stakes in the Dunes Golf & Beach Club and Myrtle Beach National Company as of 2012 financial disclosures. These ventures contributed to his estimated net worth exceeding $14 million by 2018, reflecting success in tax advisory and property management complementary to his legal expertise.

Local government and community service

Prior to his congressional service, Rice held the position of Chairman of the Horry County Council in South Carolina, elected in 2010 and serving until his resignation on December 31, 2012, to pursue a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. In this role, he focused on local fiscal management and economic development issues pertinent to the coastal Grand Strand region, including oversight of county budgets and infrastructure projects. Rice also participated in several civic and charitable organizations in Horry , demonstrating outside formal duties. He served as president of the Myrtle Haven , supporting efforts to the local homeless . Additionally, he contributed to the local and the Grand Strand Sertoma Club, focusing on development and service-oriented initiatives. Before assuming the council chairmanship, Rice helped organize protests against excessive , reflecting his emphasis on fiscal conservatism at the level.

Entry into national politics

2012 congressional campaign and election

Tom Rice, serving as chairman of the Horry County Council, entered the race for South Carolina's newly drawn 7th congressional district following the 2010 redistricting, which created an open Republican-leaning seat after incumbent Tim Scott shifted to the 1st district. Rice positioned himself as a fiscal conservative, emphasizing his experience as a certified public accountant and small business owner to advocate for reducing federal spending, enacting a balanced budget amendment, imposing congressional term limits, and repealing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The Republican primary on June 12, 2012, featured seven candidates, including Rice and former Lieutenant Governor André Bauer; Rice secured second place, advancing to a runoff against Bauer. In the runoff held on June 26, 2012, Rice prevailed with 16,844 votes (56.1 percent) to Bauer's 13,173 votes (43.9 percent). Rice faced Democrat Gloria Bromell Tinubu, who had won her party's runoff, in the general election on November 6, 2012. Rice won with 153,068 votes (55.5 percent) against Tinubu's 122,389 votes (44.4 percent), securing the seat for the 113th Congress. Early campaign finance reports showed Rice raising over $205,000 in contributions by April 2012, bolstering his competitive primary effort.

Subsequent reelection campaigns

In the 2014 general election held on November 4, Rice faced a rematch with his 2012 Democratic opponent, Gloria Bromell Tinubu, defeating her with 60.0 percent of the vote (102,833 votes) to her 40.0 percent (68,576 votes). The campaign focused on Rice's record on fiscal conservatism and local economic issues, with no significant primary challenge. Rice won uncontested Republican primaries in both 2016 and 2020, securing reelection in the , 2016, general election against Democrat Mal Hyman by 61.0 percent (176,468 votes) to 39.0 percent (112,744 votes), and in the , 2020, general election against Democrat Melissa Watson by 61.8 percent (224,993 votes) to 38.1 percent (138,863 votes). These victories reflected strong Republican turnout in the district, emphasizing Rice's support for tax cuts and infrastructure funding aligned with coastal priorities. The 2018 cycle marked Rice's closest reelection contest up to that point, beginning with a Republican primary on June 12 where he defeated challenger Larry Guy Hammond with 83.6 percent of the vote (38,346 votes). In the general election on November 6, Rice prevailed over Democrat Robert Williams, 59.6 percent (142,681 votes) to 40.3 percent (96,564 votes), amid national midterm dynamics but buoyed by his incumbency and emphasis on defense spending and disaster relief for hurricane-affected areas.

Congressional tenure

Committee assignments and legislative roles

During the 113th Congress (2013–2015), Rice received assignments to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the House Committee on the Budget, and the House Committee on Small Business. On the Small Business Committee, he chaired the Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax and Capital Access, where he led hearings on topics including cash accounting for small businesses and post-recession lending conditions. In November 2015, was appointed by the Republican to the on Ways and Means during the 114th (2015–2017), leveraging his background as a certified public accountant and business owner. He retained this assignment through the 117th (2021–2023), prioritizing oversight amid his district's economic reliance on , , and . On Ways and Means, contributed to legislative efforts on tax code revisions, including the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and scrutinized IRS operations. Rice's Ways and Means subcommittees included Oversight, where he served as Republican leader and pursued inquiries into IRS data handling and refund fraud prevention; Select Revenue Measures, focusing on tax administration reforms; and others addressing trade and worker support. These roles positioned him to influence revenue-raising measures and entitlement program solvency, though his support for certain provisions drew intraparty criticism from fiscal conservatives.

Fiscal and economic policy contributions

During his tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2013 to 2023, Tom Rice served on the House Budget Committee in the 113th Congress, where he contributed to efforts aimed at reducing federal deficits through spending reforms and revenue-neutral tax policies. Drawing on his background as a certified public accountant, Rice advocated for fiscally conservative measures, including support for House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan's proposals to balance the federal budget within a decade by capping discretionary spending and reforming entitlement programs. Rice was a proponent of comprehensive tax reform to simplify the code and lower rates, emphasizing that such changes would stimulate economic growth without increasing the deficit. In 2017, he endorsed and voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1), which reduced the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, lowered individual income tax rates across brackets, doubled the standard deduction, and eliminated the estate tax for estates under $11.2 million per individual, arguing these provisions would enhance competitiveness and job creation in districts like South Carolina's 7th. The legislation, passed on December 20, 2017, by a vote of 224-201, aligned with Rice's stated positions against tax rate increases and in favor of flatter, simpler taxation. On spending restraint, Rice frequently opposed large-scale omnibus appropriations, voting against measures that bypassed pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) rules or exceeded fiscal targets, as evidenced by his 85% lifetime score from Heritage Action for America, reflecting consistent resistance to unchecked federal expansion. He criticized bipartisan spending packages for contributing to rising national debt, which exceeded $30 trillion during his service, and pushed for reforms like congressional term limits to curb entrenched budgetary inefficiencies. While supporting targeted infrastructure investments tied to his district's needs, such as port and highway funding via the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rice prioritized deficit reduction over unchecked growth in non-defense discretionary outlays.

National security and foreign policy stances

Rice served on the House Committee on Appropriations, which oversees federal funding including defense expenditures, and generally supported maintaining strong military capabilities while emphasizing fiscal restraint. He voted in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2014 (H.R. 1960), which passed the House 315-108 on June 14, 2013, authorizing $608.2 billion in defense spending. In line with conservative budgetary priorities, however, he backed efforts to curb perceived excesses, including an amendment (H. Amdt. 254) to reduce the FY2023 NDAA by $37 billion, though it failed. On military engagements abroad, Rice expressed skepticism toward indefinite commitments, voting in June 2021 as one of 49 House Republicans to approve H.R. 256, repealing the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq, which passed 268-161 and aimed to limit executive war powers post-Iraq invasion. This stance aligned with a broader Republican critique of nation-building but contrasted with his support for targeted national security enhancements. In response to Russia's February 2022 invasion of , Rice publicly condemned the aggression, stating it warranted strong American backing for Ukraine's defense without direct U.S. military involvement. He voted for H.R. 7691, the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, providing $40 billion in emergency aid including weapons and intelligence support, which passed 368-57 on May 10, 2022. Rice also co-led a March 2022 letter with 27 other lawmakers urging the Treasury Department to intensify sanctions enforcement against Russian entities evading restrictions. Rice backed legislation addressing strategic competition with China, supporting the CHIPS and Science Act (H.R. 4346) to bolster U.S. semiconductor manufacturing and technological edge, enacted in August 2022 after passing the House 243-187. His overall foreign policy voting record earned a 20% lifetime score from Foreign Policy for America, reflecting limited alignment with interventionist priorities but consistent advocacy for alliance support in acute threats like Russian expansionism.

Social and domestic policy positions

Rice has consistently identified as pro-life, emphasizing the value of life from conception and opposing federal funding for abortions. He supported legislation requiring parental notification for minors seeking abortions and opposed measures expanding access to abortion services abroad through organizations like the United Nations Population Fund. In 2021, Rice voted against the Women's Health Protection Act, which sought to codify broad abortion rights by prohibiting state restrictions after fetal viability in most cases. On Second Amendment rights, Rice has advocated for strong protections against gun control measures that infringe on law-abiding citizens' rights, earning endorsements from the National Rifle Association during his campaigns. However, following the 2022 Uvalde school shooting, he broke with most Republicans to support the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which expanded background checks for buyers under 21, funded state red flag laws, and allocated resources for mental health and school safety—legislation he described as a targeted response to enhance community safety without broadly curtailing rights. Regarding healthcare, Rice opposed the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and voted multiple times for its repeal or replacement, including support for the 2017 American Health Care Act, which aimed to dismantle key provisions like individual mandates and expand state flexibility in Medicaid. He criticized the law for increasing premiums and federal deficits, arguing it centralized control unconstitutionally. On immigration and border security, Rice emphasized enforcement priorities, supporting the construction of border barriers and criticizing lax policies that he said encouraged illegal crossings and strained resources in border states. In 2019, after visiting the U.S.-Mexico border, he called for congressional action to address humanitarian crises, including expedited asylum processing and ending catch-and-release practices. He backed the Secure the Border Act of 2023, which sought to resume border wall construction and impose restrictions on parole programs. Rice opposed expansions of federal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals that he viewed as overriding religious liberties or biological realities, voting against the Equality Act in 2021, which would have amended the Civil Rights Act to include sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes, potentially conflicting with faith-based organizations' policies. He also voted against reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act in 2022 due to provisions extending protections to transgender individuals in single-sex facilities, citing concerns over privacy and safety. In education policy, Rice supported school choice initiatives, including voucher programs and charter school expansion, to empower parents in low-performing districts, aligning with Republican efforts to reduce federal overreach in K-12 education. He voted for the 2015 Every Student Succeeds Act, which devolved more authority from the Department of Education to states while maintaining accountability standards.

Key controversies

2020 election certification and January 6 events

During the joint session of Congress on January 6, 2021, convened to certify the 2020 presidential election results, Rice voted to sustain objections to the electoral votes submitted by Arizona and Pennsylvania, aligning with 121 House Republicans who sought to reject certification of those states' results pending further review of alleged procedural irregularities. These objections, raised under the Electoral Count Act, cited concerns including changes to voting rules, ballot handling, and voter turnout anomalies, though federal courts had previously dismissed related fraud claims for insufficient evidence across dozens of cases. The Arizona objection failed when the Senate voted 93-6 against it, and the Pennsylvania objection did not advance to a full vote in the Senate after the Capitol breach interrupted proceedings. Rice later described his votes as a mistake, stating in December 2021 that "in retrospect I should have voted to certify" because former President Trump bore responsibility for the riot that ensued, having encouraged the crowd and delayed de-escalation efforts. He acknowledged "real issues" with the election, particularly in South Carolina's 7th district where Democratic turnout exceeded historical norms by over 10 percentage points in some counties, but maintained that documented irregularities—such as unverified absentee ballots and chain-of-custody lapses—did not rise to the level of outcome-determinative fraud, consistent with state audits and federal validations that upheld Joe Biden's victory by 306-232 electoral votes. When protesters breached the Capitol at approximately 2:13 p.m., interrupting the session and leading to the evacuation of lawmakers, Rice remained inside the building amid the violence that injured over 140 officers and resulted in five deaths, including one from a medical emergency during the unrest. He recalled the chaos, including the discovery of pipe bombs near Republican and Democratic headquarters, and criticized Trump's response as inadequate, noting the president spent hours watching events unfold on television without immediate intervention despite pleas from allies. In subsequent statements, Rice attributed the breach to Trump's rally rhetoric earlier that day—where the former president urged supporters to "fight like hell"—and his failure to mobilize National Guard resources promptly, describing the inaction as a dereliction of duty that allowed the mob to ransack the building for over three hours. After security forces cleared the Capitol by evening, Rice supported resuming the certification, which concluded around 3:40 a.m. on January 7, formally confirming Biden's win.

Impeachment vote against Donald Trump

On January 13, 2021, U.S. Representative Tom Rice (R-SC) voted in favor of impeaching President Donald Trump on the single article of impeachment, which charged Trump with "incitement of insurrection" for his alleged role in the events preceding the January 6 Capitol breach. The House passed the resolution 232-197, with Rice joining all 217 voting Democrats and nine other Republicans in support, marking the first time a president was impeached twice and reflecting a rare bipartisan rebuke amid the post-riot fallout. Rice's decision stood out as he had previously endorsed Trump in 2016 and 2020, describing himself as having backed the president "through thick and thin." In explaining his vote, Rice cited Trump's repeated false claims of election fraud and his speech to supporters on , which Rice argued directly contributed to the violence that disrupted the electoral certification and resulted in deaths, including that of Capitol Brian Sicknick. He emphasized that the was not politically motivated but a constitutional , stating, "The president has committed an impeachable offense by inciting the crowd to march on the Capitol," and framing it as the principled conservative response to protect democratic institutions over personal loyalty. The vote drew swift backlash from Trump allies; on January 30, 2021, the South Carolina Republican Party censured Rice, accusing him of betraying conservative principles and the electorate by aligning with Democrats on what they termed a partisan effort to undermine Trump without due process or evidence of high crimes beyond rhetoric. Rice responded by defending his stance as upholding the oath to defend the Constitution against threats, regardless of party, and noted that impeachment managers had presented evidence of Trump's inaction during the riot and prior pressure on officials to alter election results. The Senate trial in February 2021 acquitted Trump 57-43, short of the two-thirds majority needed, with no Republicans voting to convict.

Primary challenge and electoral defeat

Rice's vote to impeach then-President Donald Trump on January 13, 2021, for incitement of insurrection following the January 6 Capitol riot provoked widespread condemnation from Trump loyalists, positioning him as a prime target for intraparty retribution. Trump, who had publicly vowed to campaign against the ten House Republicans who supported the second impeachment, endorsed state Representative Russell Fry as Rice's chief challenger, amplifying the contest's stakes as a test of Trump's lingering influence over the GOP base. Fry, a first-term legislator known for aligning with Trump's agenda, framed his campaign around rejecting "RINO" (Republican In Name Only) incumbents, directly tying Rice's impeachment support to accusations of disloyalty and insufficient conservatism on election integrity issues. The primary drew a crowded field of seven challengers besides Rice, including nonprofit executive Barbara Arthur and businessman Ken Richardson, reflecting organized efforts by conservative activists and Trump-aligned groups to unseat him. Rice defended his impeachment vote as a fulfillment of constitutional duty, arguing in interviews that failing to hold Trump accountable for what he described as an "attack on the seat of American democracy" would betray conservative principles of rule of law, though this stance failed to sway primary voters amid polarized sentiments over the 2020 election. Fundraising dynamics underscored the divide: Rice raised over $1.2 million, bolstered by national Republican donors opposed to Trump's dominance, while Fry leveraged Trump's endorsement and grassroots enthusiasm to mobilize low-turnout voters in the district's rural and coastal areas. On June 14, 2022, Fry decisively won the Republican primary with 51.1% of the vote (43,374 votes), surpassing the 50% threshold to avoid a runoff under South Carolina rules and securing the nomination outright. Rice finished second with 24.5% (20,846 votes), a margin of over 26 points that highlighted the erosion of his support among the district's Trump-favoring electorate.
CandidateVotesPercentage
Russell Fry43,37451.1%
Tom Rice (inc.)20,84624.5%
Barbara Arthur~10,500~12.3%
Others~10,500~12.1%
Total votes: approximately 85,000. Rice conceded the race that evening, later reflecting that the outcome validated his prediction of political cost but reaffirmed his lack of regret over the impeachment decision. Fry advanced to the general election, where he defeated Democrat Daryl Scott in November 2022, continuing the district's Republican hold. The primary loss marked Rice as the first of the ten pro-impeachment Republicans to fall in a reelection bid, signaling the potency of Trump-endorsed challenges in reshaping GOP primaries.

Post-congressional career

Return to private sector

After departing Congress on January 3, 2023, following his primary election loss, Tom Rice resumed his career in the private sector as a tax attorney and certified public accountant. Prior to his 2012 election to the House, Rice had co-founded and served as partner at Rice & MacDonald, P.A., a Myrtle Beach-based firm specializing in tax law and related accounting services, established in 1997 after his earlier tenure at the Van Osdell law firm. Rice's professional background includes earning a CPA certification following employment at Deloitte & Touche in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he worked in accounting and consulting before returning to South Carolina in 1985 to focus on tax practice. Biographical profiles maintain his association with Rice & MacDonald as ongoing, consistent with his expertise in tax planning, compliance, and business advisory services for individuals and mid-sized enterprises. The firm operates from 950 48th Avenue North, Suite 200, in Myrtle Beach, with a contact number of (843) 449-4493, though public details on his post-2023 caseload or specific client engagements remain limited.

Ongoing political commentary and affiliations

Following his defeat in the June 14, 2022, Republican primary election for South Carolina's 7th congressional district, Tom Rice has maintained his identification as a Republican while offering commentary critical of former President Donald Trump and the party's MAGA-aligned faction. Rice has defended his 2021 vote to impeach Trump over the January 6 Capitol attack, attributing his electoral loss to Trump's influence rather than voter rejection of his overall record. In interviews post-Congress, Rice conditioned any future support for Trump on an apology for inciting the January 6 events, stating in June 2022 that without such contrition, he could not back Trump in the 2024 presidential race. By October 25, 2024, Rice reiterated his opposition, declaring he would neither vote for Trump nor Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, instead seeking a third-party alternative due to policy disagreements with both. Rice has not formally affiliated with any organized anti-Trump Republican groups or PACs in recent years, though his positions align with figures opposing Trump's 2024 campaign, such as those listed among Republicans rejecting election denialism. His commentary emphasizes constitutional fidelity and , consistent with his congressional voting record, over to party leadership.

Personal life

Family and residences

Rice was born Hugh Thompson Rice Jr. on August 4, 1957, in Charleston, South Carolina. His family moved to the Myrtle Beach area in Horry County when he was four years old, where he has resided since. Rice and his family continue to live in Myrtle Beach. He married Wrenzie Rice, a real estate broker, and the couple has three sons: H.T., Jacob, and Lucas. The children were adults as of 2020.

Philanthropy and personal interests

Prior to entering Congress, Rice served as president of the Myrtle Beach Haven Homeless Shelter, focusing on providing support for the homeless in the Grand Strand area. He also held leadership positions as secretary and president of the Grand Strand Sertoma Club, a service organization dedicated to aiding those with hearing impairments and community service initiatives. Rice was president of the Ocean View Foundation, contributing to local charitable efforts, and maintained active membership in Trinity Episcopal Church, where he served on the vestry, as well as the YMCA and York Place, organizations supporting youth and family services. His community involvement extended to advisory roles, including the Horry County Probate Court Advisory Committee and as chairman of the Myrtle Beach Board of Zoning Variances, reflecting a commitment to local governance and welfare outside his professional career as a lawyer and accountant. Public records indicate limited disclosure of specific personal hobbies or recreational pursuits beyond these civic engagements, consistent with Rice's emphasis on professional and community obligations in available biographical details.

Electoral history

Overview of voting records and outcomes

Tom Rice represented South Carolina's 7th congressional district from January 2013 to January 2023, securing victory in five general elections amid the district's strong Republican tilt (rated R+8 by the Cook Partisan Voting Index). In his initial 2012 general election win, he defeated Democratic nominee Gloria Tinubu. Subsequent reelections in 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2020 saw him prevail with margins exceeding 20 percentage points each time, often capturing 60% or more of the vote against Democratic opponents. His tenure ended after a primary defeat on June 14, 2022, when challenger Russell Fry, endorsed by former President Donald Trump, won with 51% of the vote to Rice's 27%, amid backlash over Rice's votes on January 6 certification and Trump impeachment. Rice's voting record aligned closely with conservative priorities on fiscal and regulatory issues, earning a lifetime score of 81% from Heritage Action for America, a conservative advocacy group tracking adherence to limited-government principles. In the 117th Congress (2021–2023), his score rose to 85%, reflecting support for opposing the Inflation Reduction Act's spending provisions and the CHIPS and Science Act's industrial subsidies, while voting against expansive gun control measures like the Assault Weapons Ban. He backed the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, efforts to repeal Affordable Care Act mandates, and border security enhancements, though he occasionally supported bipartisan infrastructure funding and broke with party lines on select social and election-related votes, contributing to perceptions of moderation that factored into his primary loss.

References

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