Meet Harvey Peeler
Harvey Peeler is a father, grandfather, cattle farmer, small business owner, Christian, conservative leader in the South Carolina Senate proudly representing the people of District 14
in Cherokee, Spartanburg, Union & York Counties.
Harvey Peeler’s life, values and faith were developed among the beauty and landscape of South Carolina — He is proud to call South Carolina home and now has the blessing of preserving these ideals and its people in the South Carolina Senate. Born in Gaffney to the late H. Smith Peeler Sr., and Sally (Bratton) Peeler, Harvey was instilled with a focus on family, trust in God and an honest hard days work.
Harvey married his high school sweetheart Donna Caudill and they are proud parents of three children: Brantlee Peeler Morgan, H. Smith Peeler, III, Boone S. Peeler, and seven grandchildren. Harvey and Donna are members of First Baptist Church in Gaffney. Harvey graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science degree. While at Clemson, he was in the Clemson Army ROTC and upon graduation was commissioned in the United States Army where he
served as a lieutenant.
After service in the Army, Harvey returned home to the family dairy business. Harvey wanted to leave his home, Cherokee County, better off for his children and grandchildren so they would call it their lifelong home also so he decided to run for County Council and was elected. Harvey served on County Council before being called to run for the State Senate. Harvey ran with a focus on putting service first and doing what is right…a promise that he has delivered on and that still guides him to this day.
Harvey has earned a reputation of saying what he means and meaning what he says; sticking to his common sense conservative vision for South Carolina and yes, sometimes communicating in what has been branded in “Gaffnese,” which is nothing more than a fancy way of saying: direct and honest speech.
In recognition of his leadership skills, his fellow Republican Senators bestowed the honor of electing him the Senate Majority Leader in 2005, only the second South Carolina Republican to serve in the role since the end of the Reconstruction Era. He served in that position until March 2015, leading Republicans to some of the most impactful conservative legislative accomplishments in years.
Trusting in Harvey Peeler’s leadership and trustworthiness, he was again recognized by the full South Carolina Senate in 2019 when the body unanimously elected him the first President of the South Carolina Senate, a position formerly held by the Lt. Governor. He served in the role until December of 2021.
Today, Harvey serves as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and sits on the following Senate committees: Education; Ethics; Interstate Cooperation; Medical Affairs; Operations and Management and Transportation; is one of five members of the State Fiscal Accountability Authority, which oversees the state’s financial dealings on a monthly basis; and is the chairman of the Joint Bond Review Committee and the State House Committee.
While Senator Peeler has gained a number of titles, responsibilities, awards and recognitions during his tenure in the Senate, Harvey’s focus remains steadfast as it was with his first election:
be honest – act with integrity – do right – work hard – love people – trust in God.
