The Hill’s 2012 New Members Guide

South Carolina

Rep.-elect Tom Rice (R-S.C.-07)

DATE OF BIRTH: Aug. 4, 1957

BIRTHPLACE: Charleston, S.C.

RESIDENCE: Myrtle Beach, S.C.

OCCUPATION: Lawyer

EDUCATION: M.A., University of South Carolina; J.D., University of South Carolina

PREVIOUS OFFICE HELD:  Chairman, Horry County Council

FAMILY: Wife, Wrenzie; three sons

The Republicans captured the newly created seventh congressional district in South Carolina with Tom Rice’s victory over Democrat Gloria Tinubu , who was also cross-endorsed by the South Carolina Working Families party. 

Rice has been a resident of Horry County in the Northeastern part of the state since he was 4 years old. After receiving his master’s degree in accounting and a law degree, both from University of South Carolina, Rice worked for accounting and consulting firm Deloitte & Touche, where he earned his CPA certificate. In 1997, he struck out on his own, starting the Rice & MacDonald Law Firm.  

A relative newcomer to politics, Rice was elected Chairman of Horry County Council in 2010 and focused on jobs; under his leadership, county council and community leaders worked on rebuilding the Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corporation.