Nick Theodore
Encyclopedia
Nick Andrew Theodore was a State representative from 1963 to 1966 and 1970 to 1978, a South Carolina
state senator from 1967 to 1968 and 1981 to 1986, and the Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina from 1987 to 1995. He is a member of the Democratic Party
.
Theodore attended the University of Georgia
and graduated in 1952 from Furman University
with a bachelor of arts
. He spent a total of 24 years serving in the South Carolina state legislature
before being elected in 1986 to the office of Lieutenant Governor. He served two full terms in that post under Republican
Governor Carroll Campbell
.
Ironically, it was fellow Greenville
resident Campbell who, in 1978, had defeated Theodore in an election to the United States House of Representatives
from South Carolina's 4th congressional district
, one of famed political strategist Lee Atwater
's first major triumphs. Despite this history, and the differences in their political philosophies and party affiliations, Campbell and Theodore worked together quite effectively during their two terms in office, and remained friendly with each other.
At the conclusion of Campbell's two terms in office, Theodore ran for Governor in 1994, defeating Charleston
Mayor
Joseph P. Riley, Jr.
to secure the Democratic nomination. Theodore lost to Campbell's protégé David Beasley
, however, in the general election.
Four years later in 1998 he tried to regain his former post as Lt. Governor but lost in the general election to incumbent Bob Peeler (R).
In 2002, Theodore came out of a quasi-retirement to accept an interim appointment to the South Carolina Public Service Commission
, ending in 2004. In 2006, his son, Drew Theodore, became the Democratic nominee for the statewide office of Comptroller General.
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
state senator from 1967 to 1968 and 1981 to 1986, and the Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina from 1987 to 1995. He is a member of the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
.
Theodore attended the University of Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
and graduated in 1952 from Furman University
Furman University
Furman University is a selective, private, coeducational, liberal arts college in Greenville, South Carolina, United States. Furman is one of the oldest, and more selective private institutions in South Carolina...
with a bachelor of arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
. He spent a total of 24 years serving in the South Carolina state legislature
South Carolina General Assembly
The South Carolina General Assembly, also called the South Carolina Legislature, is the state legislature of the U.S. state of South Carolina. The legislature is bicameral and consists of the lower South Carolina House of Representatives and the upper South Carolina Senate. Altogether, the General...
before being elected in 1986 to the office of Lieutenant Governor. He served two full terms in that post under Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Governor Carroll Campbell
Carroll A. Campbell, Jr.
Carroll Ashmore Campbell, Jr. was a U.S. Republican Party politician who served as 112th Governor of South Carolina from 1987 to 1995.-Early life:He was born in Greenville, South Carolina, the oldest of six children...
.
Ironically, it was fellow Greenville
Greenville, South Carolina
-Law and government:The city of Greenville adopted the Council-Manager form of municipal government in 1976.-History:The area was part of the Cherokee Nation's protected grounds after the Treaty of 1763, which ended the French and Indian War. No White man was allowed to enter, though some families...
resident Campbell who, in 1978, had defeated Theodore in an election to the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from South Carolina's 4th congressional district
South Carolina's 4th congressional district
The 4th Congressional District of South Carolina is a congressional district in upstate South Carolina bordering North Carolina. It includes all of Greenville, Spartanburg and Union counties and a part of Laurens county. The district is characterized by the two major cities of Greenville and...
, one of famed political strategist Lee Atwater
Lee Atwater
Harvey LeRoy "Lee" Atwater was an American political consultant and strategist to the Republican Party. He was an advisor of U.S. Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush and Chairman of the Republican National Committee.-Childhood and early life:...
's first major triumphs. Despite this history, and the differences in their political philosophies and party affiliations, Campbell and Theodore worked together quite effectively during their two terms in office, and remained friendly with each other.
At the conclusion of Campbell's two terms in office, Theodore ran for Governor in 1994, defeating Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
Joseph P. Riley, Jr.
Joseph P. Riley, Jr.
Joseph P. Riley, Jr. is an American politician who is the long-time Mayor of Charleston, South Carolina. He is the longest serving mayor in the United States that is still living and in office.-Biography:...
to secure the Democratic nomination. Theodore lost to Campbell's protégé David Beasley
David Beasley
David Muldrow Beasley is a Republican who served one term as the 113th Governor of South Carolina from 1995 until 1999....
, however, in the general election.
Four years later in 1998 he tried to regain his former post as Lt. Governor but lost in the general election to incumbent Bob Peeler (R).
In 2002, Theodore came out of a quasi-retirement to accept an interim appointment to the South Carolina Public Service Commission
South Carolina Public Service Commission
The South Carolina Public Service Commission regulates the utility and transportation companies in South Carolina-External links:*...
, ending in 2004. In 2006, his son, Drew Theodore, became the Democratic nominee for the statewide office of Comptroller General.