Roger K. Kirby Explained

Roger K. Kirby
State House:South Carolina
District:101st
Term Start:2022
Predecessor:Cezar McKnight
Birth Date:20 April 1960
Birth Place:Florence County, South Carolina, United States
Alma Mater:Furman University
Party:Democratic
State House2:South Carolina
Prior Term2:2015-2022
Successor2:Carla Schuessler
District2:61st
Predecessor2:Lester P. Branham Jr.

Roger K. Kirby (born April 20, 1960) is an American politician. He is the member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 101st District, serving in the House since 2015.[1] Kirby is a member of the Democratic party.[2] He is Assistant Minority Leader of the House.[3] Kirby serves on the Labor, Commerce and Industry as well as the Legislative Oversight Committee.[4]

SC House District 61 was held by Kirby since 2015, but after redistricting created a new geographic District, Kirby defeated Democratic incumbent Cesar McKnight[5] in the June 2022 Primary and went on to win SC House District 101 unopposed.[6] [7]

Kirby joined House members Todd Rutherford and Deon Tedder in forming the Freedom Caucus of South Carolina, in contrast to the conservative SC Freedom Caucus.[8]

Political career

Kirby is a former member of the South Carolina State House's Rules Committee, and served as a member on the Subcommittee on Wildlife, the Subcommittee on Health and Healthcare Industries, and the Regulations and Administrative Procedures Committee. He was Secretary of the Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee.[9]

Electoral history

2014 SC House of Representatives

Kirby was the only Democrat to run in 2014, so there was no Democratic primary.

2016 SC House of Representatives

Kirby was the only Democrat to run in 2016, so there was no Democratic primary.

2018 SC House of Representatives

Kirby was the only Democrat to run in 2018, so there was no Democratic primary.

Honors and recognitions

In January 2024, Kirby gave the Democratic response to the State of the State address.[10] [11]

Personal life

Kirby was born in Florence County and currently resides in Lake City. He attended Furman University, graduating in 1982. He is married to Pam Horton Kirby, with whom he has three children: Amy Lee, Mary Katherine, and Elizabeth Ann.[1] He is a realtor and appraiser, and he served as President of the Pee Dee Realtor Association in 2010.[1]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: South Carolina Legislature Online - Member Biography . www.scstatehouse.gov . April 2, 2020.
  2. Web site: Roger K. Kirby - South Carolina Representative - Open States . openstates.org . April 2, 2020.
  3. "Our Leadership". South Carolina House Democratic Caucus. 2022. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  4. "House Standing Committees". South Carolina Legislature. December 7, 2022. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  5. News: Alter . Brandon . June 28, 2022 . "Kirby claims victory, McKnight admits defeat for SC 101, but slim margin triggers recount" . The Post and Courier . November 16, 2022.
  6. News: Christian . Matthew . February 26, 2022 . "Roger Kirby announces South Carolina House District 101 campaign" . SCNow . November 16, 2022.
  7. News: Staff Reports . November 8, 2022 . "2022 South Carolina State House - District 101 Election Results" . USA Today . November 16, 2022.
  8. Williams, Lee (March 7, 2023). "Three legislators create "Freedom Caucus of South Carolina," members say caucus with similar name not doing its job". WOLO-TV. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
  9. Web site: Roger Kirby's Biography . Vote Smart . April 2, 2020.
  10. News: Brown . Tonya . January 23, 2024 . Florence County lawmaker to give Democratic response to State of State address . January 24, 2024 . WPDE-TV.
  11. News: Davis . Kimberlei . January 24, 2024 . Rep. Kirby delivers Democratic response to State of the State Address . January 24, 2024 . WACH-TV.