Joshua Brett Kimbrell (born December 18, 1984) is an American aviation leasing operator and politician. He is also a former Christian talk radio host.
Josh Kimbrell | |
---|---|
Member of the South Carolina Senate from the 11th district | |
Assumed office November 9, 2020 | |
Preceded by | Glenn G. Reese |
Personal details | |
Born | Spartanburg, South Carolina, U.S. | December 18, 1984
Political party | Republican |
Spouse |
Liliya Kimbrell (m. 2017) |
Children | 2 |
Alma mater | North Greenville University (B.A.) Gardner–Webb University |
Profession | Radio personality |
Kimbrell has served as a member of the South Carolina Senate from the 11th District (Spartanburg) since his 2020 election.[1] He is a member of the Republican Party.[2]
S.C. Senate
editIn 2020, Kimbrell defeated incumbent Democrat Glenn G. Reese, who had held the seat in the South Carolina Senate's 11th District since 1991.
In June 2021, Kimbrell sponsored a bill in the state senate that would "allow mental health professionals to refuse to provide care that violates their religious beliefs."[3] During the 2022 session, Kimbrell also introduced a budget proviso to ban "prurient" books in children's library sections at public libraries, though some librarians and other lawmakers said the language was too vague to enforce without banning a wide variety of books.[4][5]
Endorsements
editKimbrell supported Florida Governor Ron Desantis in the 2024 Republican Party presidential primaries, traveling with him to Iowa as a surrogate for the campaign.[6][7] When Desantis withdrew from the race and endorsed former President Donald Trump, Kimbrell switched his endorsement to Trump.[8]
Personal life
editIn October 2014, Kimbrell was arrested and charged with sex crimes against his 3-year-old son.[9] After being held in jail without bail, the charges were dropped due to insufficient evidence in February 2015.[10]
Electoral history
editYear | Office | Type | Party | Main opponent | Party | Votes for Kimbrell | Result | Swing | Ref. | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total | % | P. | ±% | |||||||||||||
2018 | U.S. House of Representatives | Rep. primary | Republican | William Timmons | Republican | 7,465 | 11.13% | 4th | N/A | Lost | N/A | [11] | ||||
2020 | S.C. Senate | General | Republican | Glenn G. Reese[a] | Democratic | 26,117 | 55.34% | 1st | N/A | Won | Gain | [12] |
Notes
edit- ^ Incumbent seeking re-election.
References
edit- ^ "South Carolina Legislature Online - Member Biography". www.scstatehouse.gov. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
- ^ "South Carolina State Sen. Josh Kimbrell - Biography | LegiStorm". www.legistorm.com. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
- ^ "SC considers extending religious objections to therapists". AP. 21 June 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- ^ "Library leaders fight proposal on banned books". Post and Courier. 5 May 2022. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ "SC Senate lawmakers consider cutting off aid to libraries that allow kids access to 'prurient material". News 19. 29 April 2022. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ Barton, Tom (December 28, 2023). "Ron DeSantis enlists South Carolina senator to undercut Nikki Haley in Iowa". The Gazette. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
- ^ Contorno, Steve (December 28, 2023). "DeSantis enlists help to make closing case to Iowans – and to undercut Haley in the Hawkeye State". CNN. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
- ^ Shutt, Jennifer (January 21, 2024). "Florida's DeSantis withdraws from Republican presidential race, endorses Trump". South Carolina Daily Gazette. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
- ^ "Christian Talk radio host accused of sex crime against 3-year-old". WYFF. 16 October 2014. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
- ^ Dykes, David. "Solicitor dismisses criminal sexual conduct charge against Upstate radio host". The Greenville News. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
- ^ "2018 Statewide Primaries: U.S. House of Representatives, District 4 - REP". South Carolina Election Commission. 2018-06-21. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
- ^ "2020 Statewide General Election: State Senate, District 11". South Carolina Election Commission. 2021-06-30. Retrieved 2024-07-07.