Ken Ard (politician)
Encyclopedia
Ken Ard is the 88th and current Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina, having taken office on January 12, 2011.
in Spartanburg, South Carolina
.
He began working for the family business, Double A Body Builders, while still in high school. The company designs, manufactures and installs custom-built truck bodies. In 1996, Ken and his brother, Sammie, purchased the company from their father, taking responsibility for Double A Body Builder’s statewide reputation and its 25 full-time employees. Under their management, the company expanded considerably over the next decade. It grew to employ over 100 people, and is now one of the largest of its kind in the Southeastern U.S.
Ken sold his interest in the company to his brother in 2008, in order to more fully dedicate his time to public service.
Council in 2004. While there, he focused on fiscal issues and was instrumental in implementing several notable budgetary reforms. He was also active in gaining state funding for much-needed road improvements in Florence County.
Drawing on his business experience, he made the recruitment of major industries to Florence County a central concern. While on the council, Ken worked tirelessly to attract companies like H.J. Heinz Company, Johnson Controls
, Monster.com
and The QVC Network
to the area, stimulating considerable economic growth throughout the county. Also during this time, Florence County was named one of the top five most business-friendly counties in the nation by Site Selection magazine, a national publication covering corporate real estate strategy and area economic development.
He was elected chairman of the Florence County Republican Party in 2009.
, ran for governor in 2010, leaving an open race for lieutenant governor. Ard finished first against three other candidates in the Republican primary and ultimately emerged victorious as the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor.
In the general election, Ard faced Democrat Ashley Cooper. Ard won the election, with 55% to Cooper's 45%, and was sworn in as the 88th Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina on January 12, 2011.
As Lieutenant Governor, he serves as President of the South Carolina Senate and oversees South Carolina's Office on Aging.
In February 2011, reports surfaced that the State Ethics Commission was pursuing an investigation into Ard's campaign expenditures between the 2010 election and his inauguration the following January. According to reports, Ard's campaign purchases included nearly $800 at a woman's fashion boutique and the paying of a hotel bill in Atlanta at the time the USC Gamecocks
were playing in a Southeastern Conference
game there. Ard reportedly also spent over $1000 of campaign funds on meals, coffee and a birthday dinner for himself.
Currently, Ard is facing 92 Ethics Charges of which 69 are related to converting campaign funds for personal use and 23 charges of failing to disclose spending.
Early life
Ken Ard was born in Pamplico, South Carolina, on December 18, 1963. The son of Jimmy and Margie Ard, Ken graduated Hannah-Pamplico High School and later attended Wofford CollegeWofford College
Established in 1854 and related to the United Methodist Church, Wofford College is an independent, Phi Beta Kappa liberal arts college of 1,525 students located in downtown Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States. The historic campus is recognized as a national arboretum and features “The...
in Spartanburg, South Carolina
Spartanburg, South Carolina
thgSpartanburg is the largest city in and the county seat of Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States. It is the second-largest city of the three primary cities in the Upstate region of South Carolina, and is located northwest of Columbia, west of Charlotte, and about northeast of...
.
He began working for the family business, Double A Body Builders, while still in high school. The company designs, manufactures and installs custom-built truck bodies. In 1996, Ken and his brother, Sammie, purchased the company from their father, taking responsibility for Double A Body Builder’s statewide reputation and its 25 full-time employees. Under their management, the company expanded considerably over the next decade. It grew to employ over 100 people, and is now one of the largest of its kind in the Southeastern U.S.
Ken sold his interest in the company to his brother in 2008, in order to more fully dedicate his time to public service.
Politics
Ard was elected to the Florence CountyFlorence County, South Carolina
Florence is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. In 2000, its population was recorded to be 125,761; in 2005, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that its population had reached 131,097. Its county seat is Florence. The county's population is about 60% urban and it comprises part of...
Council in 2004. While there, he focused on fiscal issues and was instrumental in implementing several notable budgetary reforms. He was also active in gaining state funding for much-needed road improvements in Florence County.
Drawing on his business experience, he made the recruitment of major industries to Florence County a central concern. While on the council, Ken worked tirelessly to attract companies like H.J. Heinz Company, Johnson Controls
Johnson Controls
Johnson Controls, Inc. is a company, based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. It was founded in 1885 by professor Warren S. Johnson, inventor of the first electric room thermostat....
, Monster.com
Monster.com
Monster.com is one of the largest employment websites in the world, owned and operated by Monster Worldwide, Inc. Monster is one of the 20 most visited websites out of 100 million worldwide, according to comScore Media Metrics...
and The QVC Network
QVC
QVC is a multinational corporation specializing in televised home shopping. Founded in 1986 by Joseph Segel in West Goshen Township, Pennsylvania, United States, QVC broadcasts in five countries as QVC US, QVC UK, QVC Germany, QVC Japan and – QVC Italy to 200 million households...
to the area, stimulating considerable economic growth throughout the county. Also during this time, Florence County was named one of the top five most business-friendly counties in the nation by Site Selection magazine, a national publication covering corporate real estate strategy and area economic development.
He was elected chairman of the Florence County Republican Party in 2009.
Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina
South Carolina's previous lieutenant governor, Andre BauerAndré Bauer
Rudolph Andreas "André" Bauer was the 87th Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina from 2003 to 2011. He is a member of the Republican Party...
, ran for governor in 2010, leaving an open race for lieutenant governor. Ard finished first against three other candidates in the Republican primary and ultimately emerged victorious as the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor.
In the general election, Ard faced Democrat Ashley Cooper. Ard won the election, with 55% to Cooper's 45%, and was sworn in as the 88th Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina on January 12, 2011.
As Lieutenant Governor, he serves as President of the South Carolina Senate and oversees South Carolina's Office on Aging.
In February 2011, reports surfaced that the State Ethics Commission was pursuing an investigation into Ard's campaign expenditures between the 2010 election and his inauguration the following January. According to reports, Ard's campaign purchases included nearly $800 at a woman's fashion boutique and the paying of a hotel bill in Atlanta at the time the USC Gamecocks
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
were playing in a Southeastern Conference
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
game there. Ard reportedly also spent over $1000 of campaign funds on meals, coffee and a birthday dinner for himself.
Currently, Ard is facing 92 Ethics Charges of which 69 are related to converting campaign funds for personal use and 23 charges of failing to disclose spending.