Tom Rice

Tom Rice
Name	Thomas G. Rice
Birth date	May 19, 1957
Birth place	Savannah, Georgia, U.S.
Alma mater	Clemson University
Party	Republican Party
Occupation	Politician; businessman; United States Air Force veteran
Spouse	Angela Rice

Tom Rice

Tom Rice is an American politician and businessman who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from South Carolina's 7th congressional district from 2013 to 2023. A member of the Republican Party, he represented a coastal, historically Democratic-leaning district that includes parts of the Lowcountry, the Grand Strand, and the Pee Dee region. During his tenure he served on committees shaping defense and agriculture and engaged in issues affecting Hurricane Hugo, coastal resilience, and regional economic development.

Early life and education

Rice was born in Savannah, Georgia and raised in Darlington County, South Carolina. He attended Darlington County public schools before enrolling at Clemson University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. While at Clemson University, he participated in campus activities connected with state politics and regional civic organizations such as historical societies tied to the Great Pee Dee River area and the South Carolina Historical Society.

Military service

After college, Rice served in the United States Air Force during the late 1970s and early 1980s, attaining the rank of airman and performing duties that included logistics and base operations support. His military service connected him with veteran groups such as the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars chapters in the Grand Strand area. The experience influenced his later positions on Department of Veterans Affairs policy and regional military installations, including advocacy related to Joint Base Charleston and Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.

Business career and local politics

Following his active duty, Rice entered the private sector in Horry County, South Carolina, founding and operating small businesses in the Myrtle Beach tourism economy and commercial real estate development along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. He served on local boards, including the Horry County Council and regional economic development groups tied to the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and the Coastal Carolina University advisory councils. Rice also participated in county-level conservation and infrastructure initiatives intersecting with agencies such as the South Carolina Department of Transportation and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

U.S. House of Representatives

Rice was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2012 after redistricting created a new 7th district centered on the Grand Strand and the Pee Dee. During his terms, he served on the House Committee on Armed Services and the House Committee on Agriculture, sponsoring and co-sponsoring legislation on coastal infrastructure, disaster relief for storms like Hurricane Matthew and Hurricane Florence, and measures affecting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. He voted on major Authorization for Use of Military Force debates and on budget and appropriations measures involving the Department of Defense and the United States Department of Agriculture.

Political positions and voting record

Rice's voting record aligned with the Republican leadership on tax reform votes such as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, and on regulatory rollbacks involving the Environmental Protection Agency. He supported trade policies affecting Port of Charleston commerce and voted on measures tied to NAFTA-era disputes and later United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement deliberations. On social policy, his votes reflected conservative stances on issues debated in the South Carolina General Assembly and in federal legislation concerning United States Supreme Court nominations, where he backed several nominees put forward by President Donald Trump. Notably, he voted in a high-profile floor vote related to the certification of Electoral College results following the 2020 United States presidential election, joining a minority of Republicans in support of certification, a decision that drew attention from national actors such as the Republican National Committee and state party organizations in South Carolina Republican Party circles.

Controversies and ethics inquiries

During his congressional tenure, Rice faced scrutiny and criticism from political opponents and local activists over campaign finance practices and interactions with industry groups tied to development on the Grand Strand. He was the subject of ethics complaints filed with the House Ethics Committee regarding alleged coordination with outside groups during campaign cycles; inquiries involved review of contributions and compliance with House rules. These matters were covered in regional outlets such as the Sun News and statewide reporting by the The State. Rice also encountered opposition from advocacy groups focused on coastal conservation and veterans' services.

Personal life and legacy

Rice resides in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with his wife, Angela, and they have one child. He is active in community organizations, including local chapters of the Rotary International and civic groups connected to Coastal Carolina University and regional historical preservation efforts. His legacy includes advocacy for coastal infrastructure projects, disaster recovery funding tied to storms affecting the Atlantic Seaboard, and constituent services addressing tourism-driven economic issues in the Grand Strand. He remains associated with regional business leaders, veterans' organizations, and state Republican circles.

Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from South Carolina Category:Republican Party (United States) politicians from South Carolina Category:Clemson University alumni Category:People from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina