Matt W. Leber is an American politician and Republican member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, representing District 116.[1] He is the Republican nominee for South Carolina State Senate District 41.[2]
Matt Leber | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 116th district | |
| Assumed office December 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Chardale Murray |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 5, 1973 Washington, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | S. Michelle Leber |
| Alma mater | Mitchell Community College |
| Website | https://www.leberforsenate.com/ |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
Early life and career edit
Prior to being elected to office, Leber, a combat veteran, served eight years as a paratrooper in the United States Army.[3]
Political career edit
Second Amendment edit
Leber supports the Second Amendment and has an A rating from the NRA.[4] In 2024, he voted for Constitutional Carry, also known as permitless carry, speaking out against Senate amendments applying increased penalties on non permit holders, calling them unconstitutional and stating, "we cannot have a different class of citizens in America."[5]
In 2023, when Charleston County banned firearms on over 11,000 acres of public land, Leber called on the Governor and state Attorney General to reverse the ban.[6][7]
Drug trafficking edit
Leber sponsored a bill criminalizing the trafficking of fentanyl and was instrumental in pushing it through the House Judiciary Committee.[8][9] Leber has repeatedly called for increased security along the US Mexico border to combat drug trafficking and has proposed measures to dissuade illegal aliens from coming to South Carolina.[10] During Leber's 2022 House race, State Representative Wendell Gilliard accused Leber of having participated in armed patrols on the US Mexico border and having "direct ties to the Three Percenters".[11]
Pro-life edit
Matt Leber describes himself as pro-life and voted for the Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act.[12][13]
Term Limits edit
Leber supports term limits.[14]
2022 South Carolina House race edit
See also: 2022 South Carolina House of Representatives election
In the 2022 general election for South Carolina House of Representatives District 116, Leber defeated Democratic incumbent Chardale Murray.[15]
Representative Leber serves as Chairman of the Freshman Caucus, on the House Judiciary Committee, and on the newly formed standing House Committee on Artificial Intelligence (AI).[16][17]
2024 South Carolina Senate race edit
See also: 2024 South Carolina Senate Election
In September, 2023, Leber announced his candidacy for South Carolina State Senate District 41.[18] In June, 2024, he defeated incumbent Senator Sandy Senn in the Republican Primary.[19]
2024 Presidential candidate endorsements edit
In April 2023, Leber was the first South Carolina lawmaker to endorse Vivek Ramaswamy in the 2024 presidential election.[20] Leber served as Ramaswamy's State Chair for South Carolina.[21] After Ramaswamy suspended his presidential campaign, Leber joined Ramaswamy in endorsing former President Donald Trump in the 2024 Republican Presidential Primary.[22]
References edit
- ^ Whalen, Emma (November 8, 2022). ""Charleston County Statehouse seats gain Republican newcomers"". The Post and Courier. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
- ^ https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/matt-leber-leads-sc-sen-district-41-gop-primary-by-31-votes-recount-likely/ar-BB1o3smw
- ^ "South Carolina Legislature Online - Member Biography". www.scstatehouse.gov. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
- ^ "Vote Smart | Facts For All". Vote Smart. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
- ^ "EXCLUSIVE: SC's new gun law could be headed to Supreme Court". iHeart. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
- ^ McBride, Molly (2023-08-29). "Charleston County Parks removes 'no concealable weapons allowed' signs". Retrieved 2024-05-22.
- ^ "Unlawful Firearm Signs to be Immediately Removed from Charleston County Parks | South Carolina Carry Inc". South Carolina Carry Inc. | Defending Gun Rights in South Carolina. 2023-08-23. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
- ^ "2023-2024 Bill 3503: Trafficking in Fentanyl". www.scstatehouse.gov. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
- ^ https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/bill-to-create-fentanyl-induced-homicide-charge-advancing-at-sc-state-house/ar-AA1ntjh0
- ^ "South Carolina Senate Race: 'Let His Criminal Record Speak For Itself' - FITSNews". 2024-03-27. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
- ^ Sinner, Holy City (2022-11-02). "Rep. Wendell Gilliard Calls on Authorities to Investigate State House Candidate's Alleged Extremist Ties". Holy City Sinner. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
- ^ "Meet Matt". www.leberforsenate.com. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
- ^ "2023-2024 Bill 474: Abortion - Fetal Heartbeat". www.scstatehouse.gov. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
- ^ Tillman, Scott (February 28, 2022). ""MATTHEW LEBER PLEDGES TO SUPPORT CONGRESSIONAL TERM LIMITS"". US Term Limits. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
- ^ Brack, Andy (November 12, 2022). ""GOP's grip on S.C. House tightens"". Charleston City Paper. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
- ^ Johnson, Dejon (2023-11-13). "House forms first-in-the-nation committee to study AI impact and policy development". WACH. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
- ^ "South Carolina Legislature Online - Member Biography". www.scstatehouse.gov. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
- ^ Byrd, Caitlin (2023-09-17). "Charleston Republican state senator gets challenger from GOP right flank over abortion ban". Post and Courier. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
- ^ https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/matt-leber-leads-sc-sen-district-41-gop-primary-by-31-votes-recount-likely/ar-BB1o3smw
- ^ "Vivek Ramaswamy Picks Up Support In South Carolina - FITSNews". 2023-04-29. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
- ^ Byrd, Caitlin (2023-08-20). "Vivek Ramaswamy 'unsurprised' he could be debate target for Ron DeSantis". Post and Courier. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
- ^ https://twitter.com/voteleber/status/1749609532131549388