Robert William Harrell Jr. (born March 7, 1956) is an American politician and member of the Republican Party who served as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, representing the 114th District, from 1992 to 2014, serving as the Speaker of the House from 2005 to 2014.[1]
Bobby Harrell | |
|---|---|
 Harrell, second from the right, with other South Carolina leaders | |
| 59th Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives | |
| In office June 21, 2005 – October 23, 2014 | |
| Preceded by | David Wilkins |
| Succeeded by | Jay Lucas |
| Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 114th district | |
| In office December 8, 1992 – October 23, 2014 | |
| Preceded by | John C. Rama |
| Succeeded by | Mary Tinkler |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Robert William Harrell Jr. March 7, 1956 Orangeburg, South Carolina |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Catherine Smith |
| Children | Trey Harrell, Charlotte Harrell |
| Alma mater | University of South Carolina |
| Profession | Insurance agency owner |
Early political career
editHarrell was the chairman of his Freshman Caucus in 1993.[1] Two years after Harrell was elected, he was appointed to serve on the Ways and Means Committee in 1994.[citation needed][2] Later, he was elected to serve as Majority Leader from 1997 to 1999 when he became the Ways and Means Committee Chairman in 1999. He has also served as Chairman of the Economic Development and the Public Education Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee.[1] In South Carolina, State Legislators serve as part-time employees making only $10,400/year.[3]
Business career
editHarrell earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina.[1] He opened an insurance agency representing State Farm Insurance in 1980. In 2010, after his father died, Harrell combined his agency with that of his father in Harrell Square, a shopping center owned by the family. He and his wife Cathy opened an independent insurance agency, Harrell Insurance Agency in 2014. They now represent over 100 companies such as Progressive, Liberty Mutual, Travelers, Nationwide, Allstate and many more.[4] He previously owned Palmetto State Pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceutical repackaging company that he sold in 2012.[5]
Political career
editPromotion of economic development
editHarrell is credited with negotiating the deal on behalf of the House that brought Boeing to Charleston to build the 787 Dreamliner. He was also instrumental in bringing Southwest and JetBlue as carriers to the Charleston Airport.
In 2008, Harrell, legislative leaders and business executives formed the Knowledge Sector Council. In an effort to support South Carolina’s growing knowledge-based economy, the public/private Council was created to encourage research universities, economic development entities, private businesses and state agencies to work together in expanding jobs and economic opportunity.[6]
In 2010, Harrell sponsored the S.C. Economic Development Competitiveness Act.[7]
Election as Speaker of the House
editHarrell ran unopposed as Speaker in 2006 and 2008, and 2012. In 2010, Harrell had a token opponent for Speaker when Ralph Norman challenged Harrell for the Speaker’s office. Harrell was re-elected, defeating Norman who only drew five votes of support – including his own vote – among the 124 House members.[8] As Speaker of the House, Harrell effectively controlled policy in South Carolina alongside Hugh Leatherman and Glenn F. McConnell during Governor Mark Sanford's administration.[9]
Political contributions
editIn 2010, Harrell received the largest amount of political contributions – $47,425, or nearly 22 percent – from lawyers and lobbyists, according to OpenSecrets.[10] The next-largest amount, $30,100, came from health professionals.[10] In 2008, Harrell received $361,053 in contributions. The largest contributing industries were real estate ($29,825), and lawyers and lobbyists ($28,000).[11]
Campaign contributions and receipts
editIn September 2012, The Post and Courier reported that Harrell had reimbursed himself more than $325,000 from his campaign war chest since 2008 but had produced no receipts or itemized invoices accounting for the spending.[12] Harrell informed The Post and Courier that all his expenses were legitimate and the reimbursements were less than the fair market value.[13]
Harrell provided receipts to an Associated Press reporter who reported that the receipts and invoices were in order.
In October 2014 Harrell pleaded guilty to 6 counts of misusing campaign money; he was fined $30,000 and required to pay $94,000 to the State’s general fund, received three years of probation, was required to resign his office and was barred from public office for three years.[14][15]
Even though he had left office, and was not seeking office, it was too late to remove his name from the ballot in the 2014 elections. Democratic nominee Mary Tinkler received the most votes for the seat, but Harrell still carried Dorchester County even with signs in the polling places stating that he had withdrawn from the election.[16]
Personal Life
editHarrell has been married to his with Cathy since July 1979 and they current reside in Charleston, SC. They have 2 children, [1] Trey & Charlotte, as well as 2 grandchildren.
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "Robert W. Harrell, Jr". South Carolina Legislature Online. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
- ^ SC Legislative Manual 1995. SC. 1995.
- ^ "Legislative Salaries Per State". Empire Center. Archived from the original on February 27, 2009. Retrieved March 8, 2013.
- ^ "Charleston Auto, Home & Business Insurance - Bobby Harrell - Harrell Insurance Agency". www.harrell-insurance.com. Retrieved 2015-10-09.
- ^ "Bobby Harrell and Hugh Leatherman biographies". The State Newspaper. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved March 7, 2010.
- ^ O'Connor, John (July 30, 2008). "GOP leaders target job hunt" (PDF). South Carolina Senate Republican Caucus. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-10-05.
- ^ "Session 118 (2009–2010) – South Carolina Economic Development Competitiveness Act of 2010". South Carolina Legislature Online. Retrieved March 8, 2013.
- ^ Harrell re-elected speaker, Charleston Post and Courier, November 17, 2010 [dead link]
- ^ Wenger, Yvonne (January 10, 2010). "Who's in charge?". Post & Courier. Archived from the original on 2021-06-09. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
- ^ a b "Bobby Harrell, 2010 Campaign Contributions". OpenSecrets.
- ^ "Bobby Harrell 2008 Campaign Contributions". OpenSecrets.
- ^ Dudley, Renee (September 24, 2012). "Harrell offers no details on self-reimbursement of $325,000 from campaign funds". The Post and Courier. Charleston.
- ^ "Harrell's office says speaker reimbursed himself below market value for flights". The Post and Courier. Charleston. October 17, 2012.
- ^ Borden, Jeremy. "Bobby Harrell pleads guilty to 6 counts, resigns from House seat No details on reimbursements Harrell repaid self from campaign fundsHarrell planning to plead guilty Palmetto Sunrise: Harrell's hearing and looming resignation". Post and Courier. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
- ^ Self, Jamie. "Post-Harrell, SC House members say they want to see changes". The State. Archived from the original on 25 October 2014. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
- ^ "Disqualified former House speaker ran a close second in District 114 race". Post and Courier. Retrieved 2015-10-09.
External links
edit- South Carolina Legislature – Speaker Robert W. Harrell Jr. – official SC Legislature website
- Project Vote Smart – Representative Robert 'Bobby' W. Harrell Jr. (SC)[permanent dead link] profile
- Robert W. Harrell Jr. campaign contributions – Follow the Money
- Appearances on C-SPAN
