SC’s first openly gay legislator is a Republican from Greenville

Republican Rep. Jason Elliott, a Greenville native and Clemson alum, is South Carolina’s first openly gay legislator. Elliott was elected to the S.C. House of Representatives for District 22 (Greenville County) in November 2016 after a 58% majority vote.

The 46-year-old divorce attorney ran his campaign focused on education improvements, job creation and infrastructure repair; not addressing his sexual orientation during his run. Social issues were not a part of his platform.
Elliot says his sexual orientation is irrelevant to his job at the Statehouse, and he expects his votes to align with his GOP colleagues.

Elliott serves on the committees for Education and Public Works and Invitations and Memorial Resolutions. S.C. is the 43rd state to have an openly gay legislator.

Read more: Post and Courier