Lawrence K. Grooms
Encyclopedia
Lawrence K. "Larry" Grooms (born March 20, 1964) is a South Carolina businessman and politician. Since 1997, Grooms has served as a Republican
member of the South Carolina Senate
, representing the 37th District.
His civic board memberships, Senate committees, and awards include: Agriculture and Natural Resources; Education; Finance; Fish, Game and Forestry; Transportation, Chairman; Executive Committee, Berkeley County Republican Party, 1996–2008; Life member, National Rifle Association; Life member, National Association of Texaco and Shell Marketers; Significant Contribution Award, Mothers Against Driving Drunk, 1998; Legislative Achievement Award, Charleston More Than a Port, 2002; Legislative Appreciation Award, Agriculture Commission of S.C., 2002; Raising the Standard Award, Heritage Community Services., 2003; National Legislative Impact Award, National Abstinence Clearinghouse, 2004; Outstanding Senator Award, American Legion Dept. of S.C., 2004; Legislator of the Year, Carolina's Independent Automobile Dealers Association, 2004; Legislator of the Year, S.C. Public Charter School Association, 2004; Friend to the Taxpayer Award by S.C. Association of Taxpayers, 2004; S.C. Farm Bureau Legislator of the Year, 2005; S.C. Poultry Federal Legislator of the Year, 2006; Humane State Legislator Award by Humane Society of U.S., 2006; advance Board member, National Council on Bible Curriculum, 2007-; Legislative Service Award by the Sweetgrass Market Place Coalition, 2007; S.C. Policy Council Palmetto Leadership Award, 2007, 2008; Senate Legislative Champion by Palmetto Family Council (for outstanding leadership in the defense of faith, family, and freedom), 2007–08; Legislator of the Year, Construction Network of the Carolinas, 2008; 2008 Clarence G. Westendforff, Jr. Award for service to those in need by the United Methodist Relief Center; Legislator of the Year, Maritime Association of S.C., 2009; Friend of Transit Award by the Transportation Association of S.C., 2009.
in the 2010 South Carolina gubernatorial election. In January 2010, he ended his campaign.
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...
member of the South Carolina Senate
South Carolina Senate
The South Carolina Senate is the upper house of the South Carolina General Assembly, the lower house being the South Carolina House of Representatives...
, representing the 37th District.
Personal life
Grooms grew up in the small town of St. Stephen, South Carolina and despite his humble beginnings he was the first in his family to achieve higher education. He attended Clemson University. He is married to Carol Grooms and is the father of three boys.Early career
Only a few years after graduation he built his own business from the bottom up, and eventually founded an additional branch and took the reigns of his father's business.Political career
Since being elected to the Senate in 1997, Grooms has promoted his conservative values to Columbia.His civic board memberships, Senate committees, and awards include: Agriculture and Natural Resources; Education; Finance; Fish, Game and Forestry; Transportation, Chairman; Executive Committee, Berkeley County Republican Party, 1996–2008; Life member, National Rifle Association; Life member, National Association of Texaco and Shell Marketers; Significant Contribution Award, Mothers Against Driving Drunk, 1998; Legislative Achievement Award, Charleston More Than a Port, 2002; Legislative Appreciation Award, Agriculture Commission of S.C., 2002; Raising the Standard Award, Heritage Community Services., 2003; National Legislative Impact Award, National Abstinence Clearinghouse, 2004; Outstanding Senator Award, American Legion Dept. of S.C., 2004; Legislator of the Year, Carolina's Independent Automobile Dealers Association, 2004; Legislator of the Year, S.C. Public Charter School Association, 2004; Friend to the Taxpayer Award by S.C. Association of Taxpayers, 2004; S.C. Farm Bureau Legislator of the Year, 2005; S.C. Poultry Federal Legislator of the Year, 2006; Humane State Legislator Award by Humane Society of U.S., 2006; advance Board member, National Council on Bible Curriculum, 2007-; Legislative Service Award by the Sweetgrass Market Place Coalition, 2007; S.C. Policy Council Palmetto Leadership Award, 2007, 2008; Senate Legislative Champion by Palmetto Family Council (for outstanding leadership in the defense of faith, family, and freedom), 2007–08; Legislator of the Year, Construction Network of the Carolinas, 2008; 2008 Clarence G. Westendforff, Jr. Award for service to those in need by the United Methodist Relief Center; Legislator of the Year, Maritime Association of S.C., 2009; Friend of Transit Award by the Transportation Association of S.C., 2009.
2010 Gubernatorial candidacy
In May 2009, Grooms announced his candidacy for the Governor of South CarolinaGovernor of South Carolina
The Governor of the State of South Carolina is the head of state for the State of South Carolina. Under the South Carolina Constitution, the Governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the South Carolina executive branch. The Governor is the ex officio...
in the 2010 South Carolina gubernatorial election. In January 2010, he ended his campaign.
External links
- South Carolina Legislature - Senator Larry Grooms official SC Senate website
- Project Vote Smart - Senator :Larry Grooms(SC) profile
- Follow the Money - Larry Grooms