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DeutschMichael Gambrell
Michael Gambrell | |
|---|---|
| Member of the South Carolina Senate from the 4th district | |
| Assumed office May 24, 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Billy O'Dell |
| Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 7th district | |
| In office December 5, 2006 – May 24, 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Ronnie Townsend |
| Succeeded by | Jay West |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Michael Wayne Gambrell January 10, 1958 Belton, South Carolina |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Renee V. Gambrell (m. 1990) |
| Parent(s) | Aaron and Robbie Gambrel |
| Alma mater | Clemson University (BS, 1980) |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
Michael Wayne Gambrell (born January 10, 1958) is an American politician. Since 2016, Gambrell has represented S.C. Senate District 4 (Abbeville, Anderson, & Greenwood Counties) in the South Carolina Senate.[1] Formerly, he was a South Carolina House of Representatives from the 2nd District, serving from 2007 until 2016. He is a member of the Republican Party.[2]
Political Career[edit]
S.C. House of Representatives[edit]
Gambrell served in the SC House of Representatives from 2006 through 2016, representing the 7th district.
In 2015, in the wake of the Charleston church shooting, Governor Nikki Haley called on the state legislature to open debate about the removal of the Confederate flag from the grounds of the South Carolina Capitol. Gambrell was in the minority of members who voted against opening debate.[3] In July 2015, Haley signed a bill into law authorizing the flags removal.[4][5]
S.C. Senate[edit]
Elections[edit]
In 2016, Republican Rockey Burgess challenged Gambrell in the primary.[6] After Gambrell defeated him, he went on to win his first full term in an uncontested general election.[7]
2016 special election[edit]
After the passing of William H. O'Dell, a special election was held to fill his vacant seat.[8][9] Five people participated in the Republican primary: Gambrell, Rockey Burgess, Willie Day, Tripp Padgett, and Park Powell. After a runoff against Burgess, Gambrell was elected to finish O'Dell's term.[6][10]
2016 election[edit]
In the general election just a few months after the special election, Gambrell was challenged again by Rockey Burgess.[6] Gambrell won again, and was reelected after an uncontested general election.[11]
2020 election[edit]
Democrat Jose Villa challenged Gambrell in 2020, running on Medicaid expansion and education and criminal just reform. Gambrell defeated Villa and was reelected to the Senate for a second term.[12][13]
2024 election[edit]
In 2024, Gambrell will run unopposed. He will be reelected to his third full term.[14]
Tenure[edit]
Since 2016, Gambrell has represented the S.C. Senate District 4. Following redistricting after the 2020 US Census, S.C. Senate District 4 covers Abbeville, Anderson, and Greenwood Counties.
In 2022, Gambrell voted for the Fetal Heartbeat Act, legislation that banned abortion in the state after six-weeks.[15]
Personal Life[edit]
Gambrell is self-employed at M&R Enterprises.[1]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "South Carolina Legislature Online - Member Biography". www.scstatehouse.gov. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
- ^ "Michael Gambrell". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
- ^ "South Carolina lawmakers weigh in on removal of Confederate flag from state Capitol grounds". WYFF. 2015-06-24. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
- ^ Chappell, Bill (July 9, 2015). "South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley Signs Confederate Flag Bill Into Law". NPR. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- ^ "South Carolina Confederate Battle Flag Removal Bill Signing Ceremony | C-SPAN.org". www.c-span.org. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
- ^ a b c "Gambrell wins SC Senate District 4 runoff election primary". WYFF. 2016-04-06. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
- ^ "South Carolina 4th District State Senate Results: Michael Gambrell Wins". The New York Times. 2017-08-01. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
- ^ The Associated Press (January 12, 2016). "SC Senate remembers Billy O'Dell, who died in office". Spartanburg Herald Journal. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
- ^ "Upstate Sen. William O'Dell passes away at the age of 77". WISTV. 2016-01-07. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
- ^ "Gambrell takes SC Senate seat of the late Billy O'Dell". Spartanburg Herald Journal. May 24, 2016. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
- ^ "South Carolina 4th District State Senate Results: Michael Gambrell Wins". The New York Times. 2017-08-01. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
- ^ Dominguez, Damian (2020-11-03). "Gambrell reelected to state Senate District 4". Index-Journal. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
- ^ Brown, Kirk (March 30, 2020). "South Carolina elections: Here's who is running for office in Anderson County". Independent Mail. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
- ^ Brams, Sophie (2024-03-19). "Here's who has filed to run for the South Carolina legislature in 2024". WCBD News 2. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
- ^ Ablon, Matthew (2022-06-28). "Who voted for, against South Carolina's Fetal Heartbeat Act?". WCNC. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
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