Rick was born in Columbia, S.C. and raised in Lexington County where he attended public schools. He grew up spending many days behind the counter of his parent’s printing business. He earned a degree from the University of South Carolina, where, as a student, he was elected president of USC College Republicans.
Though Rick has worked in small business all his life, he was drawn to public service at an early age. At age 23, voters elected him to serve in the South Carolina House of Representatives. He was later chosen to serve as House Republican Majority Leader-the youngest person in the nation to hold that position.
Rick helped lead the passing of the two largest tax cuts in State history. Serving voters from 1988 to 2004, he was given the Friend of the Taxpayer Award by the S.C. Association of Taxpayers every year, and was regularly endorsed by the NRA.
Soon after the birth of their first child, Rick and his wife, Amy, moved to the Town of Lexington. Their daughter, Caroline, is six years old and attends Midway Elementary. Their son, Trace, will soon be two.
Rick is a small business owner with a proven record of public service. He knows the best way to create new jobs and turn the economy around in our community is to give tax relief to the families and businesses of South Carolina.