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]

Roger K. Kirby
Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives
from the 101st district
Assumed office
2022
Preceded byCezar McKnight
Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives
from the 61st district
2015-2022
Preceded byLester P. Branham Jr.
Succeeded byCarla Schuessler
Personal details
Born (1960-04-20) April 20, 1960 (age 63)
Florence County, South Carolina, United States
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materFurman University

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 edit

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 edit

2014 SC House of Representatives edit

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

South Carolina House of Representatives District 61 General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Roger K. Kirby 5,570 62.9
Republican Raleigh Ward, Jr. 3,279 37.1
Total votes 8,849 100.0
Democratic hold

2016 SC House of Representatives edit

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

South Carolina House of Representatives District 61 General Election, 2016
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Roger K. Kirby (incumbent) 10,086 100.0
Total votes 10,086 100.0
Democratic hold

2018 SC House of Representatives edit

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

South Carolina House of Representatives District 61 General Election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Roger K. Kirby (incumbent) 7,246 98.5
Write-in 107 1.5
Total votes 7,353 100.0
Democratic hold

Honors and recognitions edit

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

Personal life edit

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]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "South Carolina Legislature Online - Member Biography". www.scstatehouse.gov. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  2. ^ "Roger K. Kirby - South Carolina Representative - Open States". openstates.org. Retrieved 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. ^ Alter, Brandon (June 28, 2022). ""Kirby claims victory, McKnight admits defeat for SC 101, but slim margin triggers recount"". The Post and Courier. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  6. ^ Christian, Matthew (February 26, 2022). ""Roger Kirby announces South Carolina House District 101 campaign"". SCNow. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  7. ^ Staff Reports (November 8, 2022). ""2022 South Carolina State House - District 101 Election Results"". USA Today. Retrieved 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. ^ "Roger Kirby's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  10. ^ Brown, Tonya (January 23, 2024). "Florence County lawmaker to give Democratic response to State of State address". WPDE-TV. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  11. ^ Davis, Kimberlei (January 24, 2024). "Rep. Kirby delivers Democratic response to State of the State Address". WACH-TV. Retrieved January 24, 2024.

External links edit