Kevin Bryant | |
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92nd Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina | |
Assumed office January 25, 2017 |
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Governor | Henry McMaster |
Preceded by | Henry McMaster |
Member of the South Carolina Senate from the 3rd district |
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In office January 15, 2005 – January 23, 2017 |
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Preceded by | ??? |
Succeeded by | Vacant |
Personal details | |
Born |
Anderson, South Carolina, U.S. |
February 19, 1967
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Ann Bryant |
Education | University of Georgia (BS) |
Kevin L. Bryant (born February 19, 1967) is an American politician, pharmacist, and small business owner. A member of the Republican Party, Bryant became the 92nd Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina on January 25, 2017 after serving in the South Carolina Senate from 2005 to 2017.
Bryant is the son of Clifford W. and Gloria J. Bryant. He and his wife, Ann have three children. Bryant earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia. He is the president of Bryant Pharmacy and Supply.
Bryant was elected to the South Carolina Senate in 2004 to represent 3rd District based in Anderson County, South Carolina. He was re-elected in 2008, 2012 and 2016. Bryant is the chairman of the Invitations Committee. He also sits on the Agriculture and Natural Resources, Finance, General and Labor, Commerce and Industry committees.
Bryant made national news when he introduced legislation to extend the death penalty to child rapists. The legislation was signed into law by then Gov. Mark Sanford in 2006.
Bryant attracted controversy after posting an image on his official campaign website of Osama bin Laden and presidential candidate Barack Obama, with the caption saying "the difference between Obama and Osama is just a little B.S."
Bryant has also been an outspoken critic of government spending. In 2012, after Governor Nikki Haley vetoed funding for a rape crisis center, Bryant was one of only two senators who voted to sustain the veto.
Bryant is a founding member of the William Wallace Caucus, a group of conservative senators who favor a laissez-faire approach to government policy and were outspoken supporters of former Governor Mark Sanford. Bryant describes the group as a fictitious.
Bryant supports a Constitutional Amendment defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
Bryant does not believe in man-made global warming.
Bryant is a Creationist who believes the entire Universe was created in a literal 6 days approximately 6,000 years ago.