Kevin L. Bryant

Kevin L. Bryant (born February 19, 1967) is an American politician, pharmacist, and businessman. A member of the Republican Party, Bryant served as the 92nd lieutenant governor of South Carolina from January 25, 2017 (after serving in the South Carolina Senate from 2005 to 2017) to January 9, 2019. He lost the Republican gubernatorial nomination in 2018 to Governor Henry McMaster.

Kevin Bryant
92nd Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina
In office
January 25, 2017 – January 9, 2019
GovernorHenry McMaster
Preceded byHenry McMaster
Succeeded byPamela Evette
President pro tempore of the South Carolina Senate
In office
January 25, 2017[lower-alpha 1]
Preceded byHugh Leatherman
Succeeded byHugh Leatherman
Member of the South Carolina Senate
from the 3rd district
In office
January 15, 2005 – January 25, 2017
Preceded byBob Waldrep
Succeeded byRichard Cash
Personal details
Born (1967-02-19) February 19, 1967
Anderson, South Carolina, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)
Ann Barinowski
(
m. 1989)
EducationUniversity of Georgia (BS)

Background

Bryant is the son of Clifford W. and Gloria J. Bryant. Bryant has managed, with his brothers and father, Bryant Pharmacy & Supply, an independent pharmacy located in Anderson. He and his wife, Ann have three children. The family have attended a non-denominational New Testament fellowship, where Bryant has served as a deacon. Bryant earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia. He is the president of Bryant Pharmacy and Supply.

South Carolina Senate

Bryant was elected to the South Carolina Senate in 2004 to represent 3rd District based in Anderson County, South Carolina. He was re-elected in 2008, 2012 and 2016. Bryant is the chairman of the Invitations Committee, and he also sits on the Agriculture and Natural Resources, Finance, General and Labor, Commerce and Industry committees.

Bryant, a Republican, considers himself one of the most right-wing politicians in the state.[1] He made national news when he introduced legislation to extend the death penalty to child rapists. The legislation was signed into law by then Governor Mark Sanford in 2006.[2]

In 2008, Bryant attracted controversy after posting an image on his official campaign website of Osama bin Laden and presidential candidate Barack Obama, with the caption saying "the difference between Obama and Osama is just a little B.S."[3][4]

Additionally, Bryant is an outspoken critic of government spending;[5] he is a founding member of the William Wallace Caucus, a group of conservative senators who favor a laissez-faire approach to government policy and were fervid supporters of former Governor Mark Sanford.[6][7] Bryant opposes same-sex marriage and supports a Constitutional amendment that would outlaw the practice,[8] and he believes that man-made global warming is a myth.[9]

Bryant is a Creationist who believes the entire Universe was created in a literal 6 days approximately 6,000 years ago.[10]

Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina (2017–2019)

Nikki Haley resigned as Governor of South Carolina on January 24, 2017 to become United States Ambassador to the United Nations. Henry McMaster, the lieutenant governor, automatically became governor at such time. Since Hugh Leatherman, the Senate president pro tempore, refused to become lieutenant governor per the South Carolina Constitution, Bryant was appointed to fill the pro tempore position on January 25, and ascended to the role of lieutenant governor.[11]

2018 gubernatorial election

Bryant ran for governor in the 2018 Republican Primary. He placed fourth behind Henry McMaster, John Warren, and Catherine Templeton. Bryant finished the race with 6.7% of the vote. [12] After his defeat, he endorsed businessman John Warren.[13]

South Carolina Gubernatiorial Primary (Republican), 2018
Candidate Votes %
Henry McMaster 155,072 42.3
John Warren 102,006 27.8
Catherine Templeton 78,432 21.4
Kevin L. Bryant 24,699 6.7
Yancey McGill 6,349 1.7

Notes
  1. Bryant assumed the position of lieutenant governor through briefly serving as president pro tempore of the South Carolina Senate on January 25, 2017, which then allowed him to automatically succeed to the lieutenant governorship upon confirmation.
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References
  1. "'I am the right': South Carolina Lt. Gov. Kevin Bryant joins 2018 governor's race | News". postandcourier.com. July 28, 2017. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  2. "WIS speaks with therapists opposed to death penalty for repeat child molesters - wistv.com - Columbia, South Carolina". Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
  3. S.C. senator links bin Laden, Obama on blog USA Today, July 21, 2008
  4. Vacation and Funny Picture Kevin Bryant for Congress, July 18, 2008
  5. "palmettopublicrecord.org". Retrieved January 24, 2017.
  6. FITS. "Back Row Boys No Longer - FITSNews". Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
  7. Bryant, Sen Kevin L. (June 8, 2006). "new address: www.kevinbryant.com: William Wallace "Caucus"". Retrieved January 24, 2017.
  8. "issues". Retrieved January 24, 2017.
  10. Shen, Aviva (April 2, 2014). "Creationist Lawmakers Derail Third Grader's Campaign To Honor The Woolly Mammoth". Retrieved January 24, 2017.
  11. "Kevin Bryant becomes lieutenant governor after Senate vote". Greenvilleonline.com. January 25, 2017. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  12. Almukhtar, Sarah; Bloch, Matthew; Lee, Jasmine C. (June 12, 2018). "South Carolina Primary Election Results" – via NYTimes.com.
  13. http://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/election/article213157169.html
Political offices
Preceded by
Henry McMaster		 Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina
2017–2019		 Succeeded by
Pamela Evette
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