Chad Connelly | |
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Chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party | |
In office May 7, 2011 – June 8, 2013 |
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Preceded by | Karen Floyd |
Succeeded by | Matt Moore |
Personal details | |
Born |
Bruce Chadwick Connelly August 22, 1963 Prosperity, South Carolina, U.S. |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Dana Connelly; four children |
Alma mater | Clemson University |
Occupation | Engineer |
Religion | Southern Baptist |
Website | www.connellyfor.us |
Bruce Chadwick Connelly (born August 22, 1963) served as chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party from May 2011 until June 2013, when he resigned to take a senior role at the Republican National Committee.
He is currently a candidate for U.S. Representative for South Carolina's 5th congressional district.
He graduated from Clemson University, where he earned a degree in civil engineering in 1985.
He began his career as an engineer but later started his own business.
He was elected chairman on May 7, 2011. He had previously occupied various positions in the party including chairman of the Newberry County Republican Party and delegate to the 2004 Republican National Convention. In the run-up to the 2012 Republican primary season, Connelly argued against an early primary in Florida. Ultimately, South Carolina held its primary on January 21, ten days before the primary in Florida. On May 4, 2013, Connelly was re-elected to a second two-year term.
He is the author of Freedom Tide (), which he describes as "a book dedicated to inspiring Americans about [their] heritage".
He is the founder and president of the Foundation for American Restoration, a Christian-based political group and was a frequent speaker at Tea Party events. He is a regular commentator on Fox News Channel, MSNBC, CNN, CNBC, and NPR as well as many other outlets in the United States. He serves on the board of the school choice and limited government advocacy group South Carolinians for Responsible Government as well as on the boards of the Palmetto Family Council and the South Carolina Citizens for Life.