Legislative Update From The Senate

Senator David L. Thomas (R), a devoted family man and resident of Fountain Inn, South Carolina, has served in the South Carolina Senate for 20 years.  He is currently the Chairman of the Senate Banking & Insurance Committee, and is also a member of the Senate Finance, Corrections & Penology, Rules, and Medical Affairs Committees.

His dedication to the 8th District in Greenville County shines through his outstanding record in the Senate.  An outspoken reformer, Thomas led the fight for landmark welfare reform and is spearheading legislation for residential property tax relief.  His most recent accomplishment came in the 2003 legislative session with the passage of the Predatory Lending Act.

As Chairman of Banking & Insurance, he has been instrumental in the passage of insurance legislation, to include getting uninsured drivers off the street and the formation of insurance captives.  He is also working on the issue of health insurance and the uninsured.

A proven conservative with a bi-partisan approach to getting things done, Thomas founded The Litter Task Force, which was organized in 1999, ultimately becoming Palmetto Pride, the Governor’s Council on Beautification and Litter.

His political career began in 1979 when he successfully ran for Greenville City Council in 1979.  Four years later, Thomas was voted Mayor Pro Tempore.  During this time Thomas established himself as a strong leader willing to take tough stands.  In 1984, Thomas successfully ran for State Senate, winning both a primary and general election. 

A native of South Carolina, Senator Thomas received a BA from UNC-Charlotte, a Masters of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, a Master of Arts from Texas Christian University, and a law degree from the University of South Carolina.  He has been married to his wife Fran since 1984, and is currently practicing law at Moore, Taylor & Thomas in Greenville, SC.