16 Facts About Bobby Harrell

Two years after Bobby Harrell was elected, he was appointed to serve on the Ways and Means Committee in 1994.

Bobby Harrell has served as Chairman of the Economic Development and the Public Education Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee.

Bobby Harrell earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina.

Bobby Harrell opened an insurance agency representing State Farm Insurance in 1980.

In 2010, after his father died, Bobby Harrell combined his agency with that of his father in Bobby Harrell Square, a shopping center owned by the family.

Bobby Harrell previously owned Palmetto State Pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceutical repackaging company that he sold in 2012.

Bobby Harrell is credited with negotiating the deal on behalf of the House that brought Boeing to Charleston to build the 787 Dreamliner.

Bobby Harrell was instrumental in bringing Southwest and JetBlue as carriers to the Charleston Airport.

Bobby Harrell ran unopposed as Speaker in 2006 and 2008, and 2012.

In 2010, Bobby Harrell had a token opponent for Speaker when Ralph Norman challenged Bobby Harrell for the Speaker's office.

In September 2012, The Post and Courier reported that Bobby Harrell had reimbursed himself more than $325,000 from his campaign war chest since 2008 but had produced no receipts or itemized invoices accounting for the spending.

Bobby Harrell informed The Post and Courier that all his expenses were legitimate and the reimbursements were less than the fair market value.

Bobby Harrell provided receipts to an Associated Press reporter who reported that the receipts and invoices were in order.

In October 2014 Bobby Harrell pleaded guilty to six counts of misusing campaign money; he was fined $30,000 and required to pay $94,000 to the State's general fund, received three years of probation, was required to resign his office and was barred from public office for three years.

Democratic nominee Mary Tinkler received the most votes for the seat, but Bobby Harrell still carried Dorchester County even with signs in the polling places stating that he had withdrawn from the election.

Bobby Harrell has been married to his wife Cathy since July 1979 and they current reside in Charleston, SC.