William Timmons (politician)

Last updated

Sarah Anderson
​
(m. 2019)​
William Timmons
William Timmons, official portrait, 116th Congress.jpg
Member of the U.S.HouseofRepresentatives
from South Carolina's 4th district
Assumed office
January 3, 2019
Education George Washington University (BA)
University of South Carolina (MA, JD)
New York University (MS)
Website House website
Military service
AllegianceFlag of the United States.svg  United States
Branch/serviceFlag of the United States Air Force.svg  United States Air Force
Years of service2018–present (South Carolina Air National Guard)
Rank Captain
Unit United States Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps

William Richardson Timmons IV (born April 30, 1984) is an American attorney, entrepreneur, and politician serving as the U.S. representative for South Carolina's 4th congressional district since 2019. His district is in the heart of the Upstate and includes Greenville, Spartanburg, and most of their suburbs. A member of the Republican Party, Timmons served as the South Carolina state senator from 2016 to 2018. [1] [2]

Contents

Early life and education

A native of Greenville, Timmons attended George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs, where he earned a degree in international affairs and political science. He earned a Juris Doctor and a master's degree in international studies from the University of South Carolina.

Timmons is a lifelong member of Christ Church in Greenville, and serves as a Captain in the South Carolina Air National Guard.

Timmons graduated from New York University in May 2021 with a Master of Science in Cybersecurity Risk and Strategy.

Early career

Timmons spent four years working for the 13th Circuit solicitor's office. In this role, he focused on serving victims of domestic violence and helped create a central court for all domestic violence cases in Greenville County. [3]

Timmons owns Swamp Rabbit CrossFit and Soul Yoga, and previously operated the law firm Timmons & Company, LLC.

In 2016, Timmons challenged longtime state senator Mike Fair in the Republican primary for a Greenville-area district. He finished first in the primary with 49.5% of the vote, fewer than 100 votes shy of winning the nomination outright. [4] He then defeated Fair in the runoff with 65% of the vote [5] and faced no major-party opposition in the general election. [6]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2018

Timmons was elected to replace retiring Republican incumbent Trey Gowdy in South Carolina's 4th congressional district. His campaign slogan was "Washington is broken." [7] [8] On June 10, Timmons placed second in a 13-candidate primary–the real contest in this heavily Republican district–receiving 19.2% of the vote. On June 28, 2018, Timmons defeated former state senator Lee Bright in the runoff with 54.2% of the vote. He did not have to give up his state senate seat to run for Congress; South Carolina state senators serve four-year terms that run concurrently with presidential elections.

Timmons defeated Brandon Brown in the November general election with 59.5% of the vote. [9] [10] He became one of the youngest U.S. representatives from South Carolina since 1972. [11]

2020

Timmons defeated Democratic nominee Kim Nelson with 61.6% of the vote. [12]

2022

In a four-candidate Republican primary, Timmons prevailed with 52.7% of the vote; [13] he was the only candidate on the general election ballot as his Democratic opponent dropped out in August. [14]

2024

Main article: 2024 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina

Timmons faces State Representative Adam Morgan in the Republican Primary, and has been endorsed by 2024 Republican presumptive nominee for President, Donald Trump. [15] Morgan, chair of the SC Freedom Caucus, has been endorsed by US Representative Matt Gaetz. [16] Timmons will face the winner of the Constitution Party primary, Michael Chandler or Mark Hackett and the Democratic Party presumptive nominee Spartanburg County Democratic Party Chair Kathryn Harvey. [17]

Tenure

Timmons was sworn into office on January 3, 2019, amid a government shutdown. He cosponsored legislation to require Congress to balance the budget, defund Planned Parenthood, support Gold Star Families, strengthen national defense, and promote school choice. [18]

Timmons serves on the Financial Services Committee, where he introduced legislation seeking to counter China's efforts to expand its 5G influence in countries receiving assistance from international financial institutions. He was elected by his classmates to represent the freshman class on the Republican Steering Committee. [19]

He introduced legislation proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to limit the number of consecutive terms that a member of Congress may serve (H.J.Res.86). [20]

Timmons supported President Donald Trump during his first impeachment, saying of the process, "It is very, very, very broken" (referring to his 2018 campaign slogan "Washington is broken"). He added that he thought the process would be fair in the Senate and called the opposition to impeachment "bipartisan." [21]

In December 2020, Timmons was one of 126 Republican members of the House of Representatives to sign an amicus brief in support of Texas v. Pennsylvania , a lawsuit filed at the United States Supreme Court contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election, in which Joe Biden defeated [22] Trump. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case on the basis that Texas lacked standing under Article III of the Constitution to challenge the results of an election held by another state. [23] [24] [25]

In January 2021, Timmons announced he would object to the certification of Biden as president. [26] When Congress reconvened after the storming of the United States Capitol, Timmons voted to object to the Electoral College results. [27]

Timmons was among the 71 Republicans and 46 Democrats who voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 in the House. The bill, to enact spending cuts and raise the debt ceiling until January 2025, still was signed into law. [28]

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

Electoral history

South Carolina's 4th congressional district, 2022 [31]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican William Timmons 165,607 90.81
N/AWrite-Ins16,7589.19
Total votes182,365 100.0
Republican primary results, 2022
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican William Timmons 24,800 52.69
Republican Mark Burns 11,21423.83
Republican Michael Mike LaPierre8,02917.06
Republican George Abuzeid3,0246.42
Total votes47,067 100.0
South Carolina's 4th congressional district, 2020 [32]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican William Timmons 222,126 61.61
Democratic Kim Nelson133,02336.89
Constitution Michael Chandler5,0901.41
N/AWrite-Ins3110.09
Margin of victory83,70223.4
Total votes360,550 100.0
Republican hold
South Carolina's 4th congressional district, 2018 [33]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican William Timmons 145,321 59.57
Democratic Brandon Brown89,18236.56
American Guy Furay9,2033.77
N/AWrite-Ins2440.10
Margin of victory56,13923.01
Total votes243,950 100.0
Republican hold
Republican primary runoff results, 2018
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican William Timmons 37,096 54.29
Republican Lee Bright 31,23645.71
Total votes68,332 100.0
Republican primary results, 2018
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Lee Bright 16,742 24.95
Republican William Timmons 12,885 19.21
Republican Dan Hamilton 12,49418.62
Republican Josh Kimbrell 7,46511.13
Republican James Epley5,3868.03
Republican Stephen Brown5,0787.57
Republican Shannon Pierce2,4423.64
Republican Mark Burns 1,6622.48
Republican Claude Schmid1,4142.11
Republican Dan Albert5100.76
Republican John Marshall Mosser4570.68
Republican Justin David Sanders3540.53
Republican Barry Bell2000.3
Total votes67,089 100.0
South Carolina State Senate, District 6 general election, 2016
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican William Timmons 31,732 85.10
Constitution Roy G. Magnuson5,55614.90
Total votes37,288 100.0
South Carolina State Senate, District 6 Republican primary runoff, 2016
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican William Timmons 6,244 65.30
Republican Michael Fair3,31834.70
Total votes9,562 100.0
South Carolina State Senate, District 6 Republican primary, 2016
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Michael Fair 3,578 36.30
Republican William Timmons 4,880 49.51
Republican Johnny Edwards1,39914.19
Total votes9,857 100.0

Personal life

On July 17, 2019, Timmons married his wife, Sarah, on the balcony of the U.S. Capitol. Senator Tim Scott officiated. [34]

In response to posts on social media, Timmons acknowledged in July 2022 that he and his wife were working on their marriage after "going through tough times" in recent months. He said other allegations were false and mostly defamatory and asked for "privacy and prayers." He told his constituents "don't be distracted" and emphasized that his personal life does not affect his congressional service. [35]

Sarah filed for marital separation in mid-November 2022. In a statement provided to The Greenville News , the couple said they "will continue to remain close friends" and "respectfully ask for privacy". [36] Divorce proceedings can begin a year after separation per South Carolina law. [37]

Timmons is a Protestant. [38]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nancy Mace</span> American politician (born 1977)

Nancy Ruth Mace is an American politician who has been the U.S. representative for South Carolina's 1st congressional district since 2021. Her district includes much of the state's share of the East Coast, from Charleston to Hilton Head Island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob Inglis</span> American politician (born 1959)

Robert Durden Inglis Sr. is an American politician who was the U.S. representative for South Carolina's 4th congressional district from 1993 to 1999 and again from 2005 to 2011. He is a moderate member of the Republican Party. Inglis was unseated in the Republican primary runoff in 2010 by a landslide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ralph Norman</span> American politician (born 1953)

Ralph Warren Norman Jr. is an American real estate developer and politician who has served as the U.S. representative for South Carolina's 5th congressional district since 2017. His district includes most of the South Carolina side of the Charlotte metropolitan area, along with outer portions of the Upstate and Midlands. A member of the Republican Party, Norman served as the South Carolina state representative for the 48th district from 2005 to 2007 and from 2009 to 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Carolina's 4th congressional district</span> U.S. House district for South Carolina

South Carolina's 4th congressional district is a congressional district in upstate South Carolina bordering North Carolina. It includes parts of Greenville and Spartanburg counties. The district includes the two major cities of Greenville and Spartanburg.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trey Gowdy</span> American news anchor and politician (born 1964)

Harold Watson "Trey" Gowdy III is an American television news presenter, former politician and former federal prosecutor who served as the U.S. representative for South Carolina's 4th congressional district from 2011 to 2019. His district included much of the Upstate region of South Carolina, including Greenville and Spartanburg.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Duncan (politician)</span> American politician (born 1966)

Jeffrey Darren Duncan is a United States representative for South Carolina's 3rd congressional district since 2011. His district comprises nine counties, two of these counties being manufacturing centers for the state. On January 17, 2024, Duncan announced that he would not run for re-election. Duncan previously served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 2002 to 2010 when he retired to run for the U.S. House of Representatives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Rice</span> American politician (born 1957)

Hugh Thompson Rice Jr. is an American lawyer and politician who served as the U.S. representative for South Carolina's 7th congressional district from 2013 to 2023. The district serves most of the northeastern corner of the state and includes Myrtle Beach, the Grand Strand, Florence, Cheraw, and Darlington. A Republican, Rice was first elected in 2012 and was a member of the freshman class chosen to sit at the House Republican leadership table. Rice was reelected in 2014, defeating Democratic nominee Gloria Bromell Tinubu in a rematch of the 2012 election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina</span> Elections

The 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina were held on November 8, 2016, to elect the seven U.S. representatives from the state of South Carolina, one from each of the state's seven congressional districts. The elections coincided with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate and various state and local elections. The primaries were held on June 14.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Burns (pastor)</span> American evangelical Christian

John Mark Burns is an American evangelical minister, televangelist and political candidate who is the pastor of the Harvest Praise & Worship Center in South Carolina. He was an early supporter of Donald Trump during the 2016 United States presidential election and by 2023 was a board member of Pastors for Trump. Burns unsuccessfully ran for the United States House of Representatives in South Carolina's 4th congressional district in 2018 and 2022. He is co-founder of the NOW Television Network.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 South Carolina gubernatorial election</span> Election

The 2018 South Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 2018, to elect the Governor of South Carolina. Incumbent Republican Governor Henry McMaster, who took office after Nikki Haley resigned to become U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, ran for election to a full term. The primary was held on June 12, with the Democrats nominating State Representative James E. Smith Jr. McMaster failed to win a majority of the vote, and then defeated John Warren in the Republican runoff on June 26. In the general election, McMaster defeated Smith, winning election to a full term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina</span>

The 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina were held on November 6, 2018, to elect the seven U.S. representatives from the state of South Carolina, one from each of the state's seven congressional districts. The elections coincided with a gubernatorial election, as well as other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Cunningham (American politician)</span> American politician (born 1982)

Joseph Kendrick Cunningham is an American politician who was the U.S. representative for South Carolina's 1st congressional district from 2019 to 2021. The district includes much of South Carolina's share of the Atlantic Coast, from Charleston to Hilton Head Island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina</span>

The 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina were held on November 3, 2020, to elect the seven U.S. representatives from the state of South Carolina, one from each of the state's seven congressional districts. The elections coincided with the 2020 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina</span>

The 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina were held on November 3, 2020, to elect the 13 U.S. representatives from the state of North Carolina, one from each of the state's 13 congressional districts. The elections coincided with the 2020 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 South Carolina gubernatorial election</span> Election for Governor of South Carolina

The 2022 South Carolina gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 2022, to elect the governor of South Carolina. Incumbent Republican Governor Henry McMaster ran for re-election for a second full term in office and secured the Republican nomination in the June 14 primary. Joe Cunningham, former United States Representative from South Carolina's 1st congressional district, was the Democratic nominee. McMaster won the general election with 58% of the vote — a larger margin than in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 United States Senate election in South Carolina</span>

The 2022 United States Senate election in South Carolina was held on November 8, 2022, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of South Carolina. Incumbent senator Tim Scott won reelection to a second full term, defeating state representative Krystle Matthews. This was the third consecutive election for this seat where both major party nominees were black.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russell Fry (politician)</span> American politician (born 1985)

Russell William Fry is an American politician and lawyer serving as the U.S. representative for South Carolina's 7th congressional district since 2023.

William H. Bailey is an American politician. He is a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 104th District, serving since 2018. He is a member of the Republican party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina</span>

The 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina were held on November 8, 2022, to elect the seven U.S. representatives from the state of South Carolina, one from each of the state's seven congressional districts. The elections coincided with other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina</span>

The 2024 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina will be held on November 5, 2024, to elect the seven U.S. representatives from the State of South Carolina, one from each of the state's congressional districts. The elections will coincide with the 2024 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate, and various state and local elections. The primary elections are scheduled for June 11, 2024.

References

  1. ↑ "William Timmons". Ballotpedia. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
  2. ↑ "William Timmons". SC State House website. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
  3. ↑ "William Timmons for Congress".
  4. ↑ "Our Campaigns - SC State Senate 06 - R Primary Race - Jun 14, 2016". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Our Campaigns - SC State Senate 06 - R Runoff Race - Jun 28, 2016". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Our Campaigns - SC State Senate 06 Race - Nov 08, 2016". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  7. ↑ Lovegrove, Jamie (May 5, 2018). "In crowded GOP primary to replace Trey Gowdy, conservatives vie for Trump voters". The Post & Courier. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
  8. ↑ Lovegrove, Jamie (December 18, 2019). "SC's 7 congressmen split along party lines as House votes to impeach Trump". The Post and Courier. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
  9. ↑ "South Carolina Election Results: Fourth House District". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved December 8, 2018.
  10. ↑ contact@scytl.com, scytl. "Election Night Reporting". www.enr-scvotes.org. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
  11. ↑ Brown, Kirk (November 6, 2018). "William Timmons moves into Trey Gowdy's seat in SC's 4th Congressional District". The Greenville News. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
  12. ↑ "2020 Statewide General Election Night Reporting - Results". South Carolina Election Commission. November 10, 2020. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  13. ↑ "2022 Statewide Primaries". South Carolina Election Commission. June 20, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  14. ↑ Hussion, Patrick (November 2, 2022). "South Carolina: Candidates for U.S. 4th Congressional District". WYFF . Retrieved November 6, 2022. Timmons is the only candidate on the ballot ... Independent write-in candidate, Lee Turner, is staging a strong campaign.
  15. ↑ Moss, Savannah (March 1, 2024). "Former president Donald Trump endorses William Timmons for Congress for second time". Greenville News. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  16. ↑ Moss, Savannah (April 17, 2024). "Matt Gaetz to campaign for Adam Morgan, 'Congress needs more America First warriors'". The Greenville News. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  17. ↑ Savannah Moss, and Samantha Swann (April 1, 2024). "Candidate filings close. Who's on ballot? Contested races in Upstate in June, November". The Greenville News. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  18. ↑ "Rep. Timmons Cosponsors his First Legislation". Timmons U.S. House website (Press release). January 28, 2019. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  19. ↑ "Timmons Introduces Bill to Counter China's Efforts to Expand 5G Influence". Timmons U.S. House website (Press release). February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  20. ↑ "H.J.Res.86 – Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to limit the number of consecutive terms that a Member of Congress may serve". congress.gov. Library of Congress. March 5, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  21. ↑ Lovegrove, Jamie (December 18, 2019). "SC's 7 congressmen split along party lines as House votes to impeach Trump". The Post and Courier. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
  22. ↑ Blood, Michael R.; Riccardi, Nicholas (December 5, 2020). "Biden officially secures enough electors to become president". AP News . Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  23. ↑ Liptak, Adam (December 11, 2020). "Supreme Court Rejects Texas Suit Seeking to Subvert Election". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  24. ↑ "Order in Pending Case" (PDF). Supreme Court of the United States. December 11, 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  25. ↑ Diaz, Daniella (December 11, 2020). "Brief from 126 Republicans supporting Texas lawsuit in Supreme Court". CNN . Archived from the original on December 12, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  26. ↑ Brown, Kirk (January 4, 2021). "SC congressmen join GOP effort to oppose Biden election results, but not Sen. Tim Scott". Greenville News. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  27. ↑ Brown, Kirk (January 7, 2021). "Duncan, Timmons and 3 other SC congressmen voted to object to Electoral College results". Greenville News. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  28. ↑ Gans, Jared (May 31, 2023). "Republicans and Democrats who bucked party leaders by voting no". The Hill . Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  29. 1 2 "William Timmons Committees and Caucuses". U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  30. ↑ "Member List". Republican Study Committee. Archived from the original on January 1, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  31. ↑ "Official Results: U.S. House of Representatives, District 4". South Carolina Election Commission. November 17, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  32. ↑ "Unofficial Results". 2020 Statewide General Elections November 3, 2020. South Carolina Election Commission. November 10, 2018. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  33. ↑ "Unofficial Results". 2018 Statewide General Elections November 6, 2018. South Carolina Election Commission. November 10, 2018. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  34. ↑ LaFleur, Elizabeth (August 2, 2019). "Rep. William Timmons marries on Senate balcony as Sen. Tim Scott officiates". Greenville News. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  35. ↑ Houck, Taggart (July 19, 2022). "South Carolina Congressman William Timmons addresses rumors on social media regarding his personal life". WYFF-TV . Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  36. ↑ Connor, Eric (November 21, 2022). "Wife of Upstate SC congressman Timmons files for divorce". The Post and Courier . Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  37. ↑ Chhetri, Devyani (November 18, 2022). "Congressman William Timmons and wife Sarah Timmons file for separation". Greenville News. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  38. ↑ "Religious affiliation of members of 118th Congress" (PDF). Pew Research Center. January 3, 2023. p. 11.
South Carolina Senate
Preceded by Member of the South Carolina Senate
from the 6th district
2016–2018		Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded byMember of the U.S. House of Representatives
from South Carolina's 4th congressional district
2019–present		Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States representatives by seniority
281st		Succeeded by
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.