Henry Dargan McMaster is the 117th Governor of South Carolina, serving statewide since January 2017. Born on May 27, 1947, in Columbia, South Carolina, he became the state's longest-serving governor and the oldest person to assume the office upon his inauguration at age 69. McMaster ascended to the governorship following Nikki Haley's appointment as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, then won full terms in 2018 and 2022. Notable achievements include leading "Operation Jackpot" as U.S. Attorney, resulting in over 100 drug smuggling convictions; prioritizing prosecutions for domestic violence and internet predators as Attorney General; expanding grand jury jurisdiction; cutting small business taxes by $317 million and returning over $1 billion to taxpayers; supporting veterans and first responders with pay raises and bonuses; and managing COVID-19 with limited measures that preserved economic growth and record surpluses.

Education

McMaster earned a bachelor's degree in history from the University of South Carolina in 1969, where he was a member of Kappa Alpha Order and the South Carolina Student Legislature, and a law degree from the same university.

Political Experience

• Appointed U.S. Attorney for South Carolina by President Ronald Reagan .
• Chaired the South Carolina Republican Party , leading to Republican majorities in the state House and Senate.
• Elected Attorney General , reelected in 2006.
• Elected Lieutenant Governor , leading senior citizen initiatives that earned AARP recognition.