Bobby Harrell Explained

Birthname:Robert William Harrell Jr.
Bobby Harrell
Order:59th
Office:Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives
Term Start:June 21, 2005
Term End:October 23, 2014
Preceded:David Wilkins
Succeeded:Jay Lucas
State House1:South Carolina
State1:South Carolina
District1:114th
Term Start1:December 8, 1992
Term End1:October 23, 2014
Preceded1:John C. Rama
Succeeded1:Mary Tinkler
Birth Date:7 March 1956
Birth Place:Orangeburg, South Carolina
Spouse:Catherine Smith
Profession:Insurance agency owner
Party:Republican

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]

Early political career

Harrell 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.[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

Harrell 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

Promotion of economic development

Harrell 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

Harrell 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

In 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

See also: South Carolina Statehouse corruption investigation.

In 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]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Robert W. Harrell, Jr . South Carolina Legislature Online . March 12, 2013.
  2. Book: SC Legislative Manual 1995. SC. 1995.
  3. Web site: Legislative Salaries Per State . Empire Center . March 8, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090227141948/http://www.empirecenter.org/html/legislative_salaries.cfm . February 27, 2009 . dead .
  4. Web site: Charleston Auto, Home & Business Insurance - Bobby Harrell - Harrell Insurance Agency. www.harrell-insurance.com. 2015-10-09.
  5. Web site: Bobby Harrell and Hugh Leatherman biographies . https://archive.today/20130411232415/http://www.thestate.com/2010/03/07/1189629/bobby-harrell-biography.html . dead . April 11, 2013 . The State Newspaper . March 7, 2010 .
  6. Web site: O'Connor . John . GOP leaders target job hunt . South Carolina Senate Republican Caucus . July 30, 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111005115950/http://www.scra.org/docs/Econ%20Devel%20plan%20in%20SC%20Senate%20Repub%20Caucus.pdf . 2011-10-05 .
  7. Web site: Session 118 (2009–2010) – South Carolina Economic Development Competitiveness Act of 2010 . South Carolina Legislature Online . March 8, 2013.
  8. http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/nov/17/harrell-re-elected-speaker-house-prepares-difficul/ Harrell re-elected speaker, Charleston Post and Courier, November 17, 2010
  9. Web site: Wenger. Yvonne. January 10, 2010. Who's in charge?. subscription. live. June 9, 2021. Post & Courier. https://web.archive.org/web/20210609133556/https://www.postandcourier.com/politics/whos-in-charge/article_ef7e9991-fa6b-5ade-b585-bec85bca0d2c.html . 2021-06-09 .
  10. Web site: Bobby Harrell, 2010 Campaign Contributions . OpenSecrets.
  11. Web site: Bobby Harrell 2008 Campaign Contributions . OpenSecrets.
  12. News: Dudley . Renee . Harrell offers no details on self-reimbursement of $325,000 from campaign funds . . Charleston . September 24, 2012.
  13. News: Harrell's office says speaker reimbursed himself below market value for flights . . Charleston . October 17, 2012.
  14. Web site: 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 . 2023-03-24 . Post and Courier . en.
  15. Web site: Post-Harrell, SC House members say they want to see changes. Self. Jamie. The State. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20141025210109/http://www.thestate.com/2014/10/24/3766835/post-harrell-sc-house-members.html. 25 October 2014. 25 September 2014.
  16. Web site: Disqualified former House speaker ran a close second in District 114 race. Post and Courier. 2015-10-09.