Berkeley County Senator Announces Bid for Congress

S.C. State Senator Larry Grooms, R-Berkeley County, announced his bid for South Carolina's First Congressional District.

The district has been vacated by Tim Scott, who was appointed to U.S. Senate after former Sen. Jim DeMint resigned. Grooms joins a growing field of Republican candidates jockeying for a win during this year's special election.

The GOP primary is set for March 19. 

Grooms made his announcement Thursday at Scout Boats in Summerville. 

“Washington is threatening our jobs, our families and our way of life. Now more than ever we need a strong, principled conservative who will fight against Washington’s high taxes, endless debt, and constant attacks on our freedom," Grooms said in a statement. "If we do not stand up and fight, we leave a terrible legacy for our children — a legacy of endless debt, a lower standard of living and an ever-intrusive federal government. I will not let that happen, even if it means standing up to the leadership of my own party.”

Grooms was first elected to state senate in 1997 and represents portions of Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties.

Senator Grooms wrote South Carolina’s illegal immigration bill and the landmark interstate compact legislation to halt the federal Affordable Care Act in the state.  

Senator Grooms was recently named the Champion of Free Enterprise by the South Carolina Business and Industry Political Education Committee and the Legislator of the Year by the South Carolina Citizens for Life. He has received dozens of leadership awards over the years, including the 100 percent Business Advocate Award from the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce; the Senate Legislative Champion Award (for outstanding leadership in the defense of faith, family, and freedom) from the Palmetto Family Council; the Taxpayer Champion Award from the Club For Growth; and the Friend to the Taxpayer Award from the South Carolina Association of Taxpayers.

During the 2012 S.C. Presidential Primary, Grooms originally backed Texas Gov. Rick Perry but then switched his endorsement to former Pennsylvania legislator Rick Santorum. 

Grooms was one of the first politicians in the area to express interest in the congressional seat. 

Click here to learn more about Grooms on his campaign's website.