Senator Margie Bright Matthews

Margie Bright Matthews is a Democratic State Senator representing District 45 in the South Carolina State Senate, which encompasses Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper counties. Born on February 10, 1963, in Walterboro, South Carolina, she is a dedicated public servant and attorney rooted in her community.

Matthews is an attorney and owner of Bright Matthews Law First, LLC, which she has operated since 1992. She is married to Patrick and has four daughters: Jessica, Patrice, Meredith, and Mattison. Her legislative focus includes justice, education, economic development, women's health, and transparency, with a commitment to equity, community empowerment, and bipartisan collaboration.

Education

Matthews earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Carolina in 1985 and a *Juris Doctor * from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1989.

Political Experience

Matthews was elected in a special election on October 20, 2015, to succeed the late Senator Clementa C. Pinckney. Since then, she has maintained her position through subsequent elections, winning re-election unopposed in 2016, defeating a challenger in 2020, and running unopposed in 2024.

Her committee assignments include Ethics, Finance, Labor, Commerce and Industry, Legislative Oversight, Medical Affairs, and Transportation. Matthews has been recognized for her service, receiving the Kennedy Profiles in Courage Award for her legislative work and leadership.