Thad Viers
Encyclopedia
Thad T. Viers is a Republican South Carolina
State Representative
for District 68. He lives in Myrtle Beach.
, off of Highway 814 in Ammons mobile home park
. Thad is short for Thaddeus (of the Twelve apostles). Thad has a younger brother also named after one of the Twelve apostles named Bartholomew (Bart for short). In high school, he started a teenage Republican club before becoming an office intern for the late U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond
. In 1995, Thad graduated from Socastee High School
and then matriculated to The Citadel (military college)
to pursue a Marine Corps
commission, where he was awarded a three year academic scholarship. He was injured and discharged. In 1999, he went to work at the Heritage Foundation
where he served with Jack Spencer
, now a senior fellow. After the completion of the ABM Missile Treaty Project, Thad returned to South Carolina to become the District Field Representative for former U.S. Congressman Henry Brown
. He was also a Business Development Consultant
. He graduated from University of South Carolina School of Law
in 2007.
and the South Carolina Citizens for Life. He has signed the Americans for Tax Reform
“Taxpayer Protection Pledge.”
.
for an unconstitutional law requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets within the city limits.
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 Representative
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...
for District 68. He lives in Myrtle Beach.
Early life, education, and early political career
Viers was born in 1978 to Brenda and the Bill Viers. Thad Viers grew up in Socastee, South CarolinaSocastee, South Carolina
Socastee is a census-designated place in Horry County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 14,295 at the 2000 census.-History:...
, off of Highway 814 in Ammons mobile home park
Ammons
Ammons may refer to:* Albert Ammons , American jazz pianist* A.R. Ammons , American author and poet* Cliff Ammons , Louisiana state representative* Gene Ammons , American jazz saxophonist...
. Thad is short for Thaddeus (of the Twelve apostles). Thad has a younger brother also named after one of the Twelve apostles named Bartholomew (Bart for short). In high school, he started a teenage Republican club before becoming an office intern for the late U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond
Strom Thurmond
James Strom Thurmond was an American politician who served as a United States Senator. He also ran for the Presidency of the United States in 1948 as the segregationist States Rights Democratic Party candidate, receiving 2.4% of the popular vote and 39 electoral votes...
. In 1995, Thad graduated from Socastee High School
Socastee High School
Socastee High School is a large, three-story public high school with about 1,400 students located in Socastee, South Carolina right next to Socastee Elm., USA, in the Myrtle Beach metro area. It is run by Horry County Schools. The school's mascot is the Brave and the school colors are black and...
and then matriculated to The Citadel (military college)
The Citadel (military college)
The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, also known simply as The Citadel, is a state-supported, comprehensive college located in Charleston, South Carolina, USA. It is one of the six senior military colleges in the United States...
to pursue a Marine Corps
Marine corps
A marine is a member of a force that specializes in expeditionary operations such as amphibious assault and occupation. The marines traditionally have strong links with the country's navy...
commission, where he was awarded a three year academic scholarship. He was injured and discharged. In 1999, he went to work at the Heritage Foundation
Heritage Foundation
The Heritage Foundation is a conservative American think tank based in Washington, D.C. Heritage's stated mission is to "formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong...
where he served with Jack Spencer
Jack Spencer
Jack Spencer is a self-taught American photographer.Spencer was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi and his first love was music, performing in rock bands making a recording. He is probably best known for his series, Native Soil that featured deep sepia tones combined with deep-South imagery...
, now a senior fellow. After the completion of the ABM Missile Treaty Project, Thad returned to South Carolina to become the District Field Representative for former U.S. Congressman Henry Brown
Henry Brown
Henry Brown may refer to:* Henry "Box" Brown , American slave who had himself mailed in a box to freedom* Henry Billings Brown , U.S. Supreme Court Justice, 1891–1906* Henry E. Brown, Jr. , U.S...
. He was also a Business Development Consultant
Business development
A subset of the field of commerce, business development comprises a number of techniques and responsibilities which aim at:1. Researching new types of business/products/services with an emphasis on identifying gaps in the mitigation of needs of potential clients .2. Attracting new customers3...
. He graduated from University of South Carolina School of Law
University of South Carolina School of Law
The University of South Carolina School of Law, also known as South Carolina Law or SC Law, is one of the professional schools of the University of South Carolina. South Carolina Law was founded in 1867 in Columbia, South Carolina and is the only public and non-profit law school in the state of...
in 2007.
Elections
In 2002, incumbent Republican State Representative Murrell Smith was redistricted into another district, leaving the 68th House District open. In the Republican primary run-off, Viers defeated Helen Smith 52%-48%. He won the general election with 70%. He won re-election in 2004 (70%), 2006 (91%), 2008 (65%), and 2010 (98%).Tenure
He was only one of seven members of the House to vote against the state taking stimulus money from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. In 2011, he won the South Carolina Association of Taxpayers “Friend of the Taxpayer” award. He has been endorsed by the NRANRA
NRA is an abbreviation that may mean:* National regulatory authorities , government agencies tasked with regulating and supervising sections of public service and economy...
and the South Carolina Citizens for Life. He has signed the Americans for Tax Reform
Americans for Tax Reform
Americans for Tax Reform is an advocacy group and taxpayer group whose stated goal is "a system in which taxes are simpler, flatter, more visible, and lower than they are today. The government's power to control one's life derives from its power to tax...
“Taxpayer Protection Pledge.”
2012 congressional election
Viers in running in the newly created South Carolina's 7th congressional districtSouth Carolina's 7th congressional district
For other uses see SC 7 The 7th Congressional District of South Carolina was a congressional district for the United States House of Representatives in South Carolina. It was first eliminated in 1853 as a result of the 1850 Census. After the 1880 Census, it was again reconstituted for 50 years...
.
Personal life
He's single. In 2010, he sued the City of Myrtle Beach in the State Supreme CourtSouth Carolina Supreme Court
The South Carolina Supreme Court is the highest court in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The court is composed of a Chief Justice and four Associate Justices.-Selection of Justices:...
for an unconstitutional law requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets within the city limits.