Richard Cash | |
---|---|
Member of the South Carolina Senate from the 3rd district | |
Assumed office 2017 | |
Preceded by | Kevin L. Bryant |
Personal details | |
Born | Jacksonville, Florida, United States | March 31, 1960
Political party | Republican |
Spouse |
Marcia Williams (m. 1985) |
Children | 8; Laura, Colby, Caleb, Caitlin, Linnea, Rachel, Calvin, Micah |
Parent(s) | Thomas and Audrey Cash |
Residence | Powdersville, South Carolina |
Alma mater | Furman University (B.A.) Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (MATS) |
Profession | Businessman |
Richard J. Cash (born March 31, 1960) is an American businessman who has represented South Carolina State Senate District 3 (northern Anderson County) since 2017.[1] He is a member of the Republican party.[2]
Cash was born on March 31, 1960 in Jacksonville, Florida to Thomas and Audrey Cash. He graduated magna cum laude from Furman University in 1982 with a BA in business management. While there, he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. In 1990, he received a Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS) from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He is a Presbyterian, and a member of Christ Church, EPC in Anderson.[1]
He is an owner and manager of rental properties.[3]
See 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina
Cash ran in the Republican Primary for US Congressional District 3, coming in first against former South Carolina House of Representatives member Jeff Duncan but failing to achieve the required majority of the vote. In the head-to-head runoff, Duncan defeated Cash.[4]
See 2024 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina
Cash was expected to run for the South Carolina's 3rd congressional district US House of Representatives seat, with the announcement that Congressman Jeff Duncan would not run for re-election.[5] However, he declined to do so, instead endorsing Stewart Jones of the House Freedom Caucus.[6]
See: 2014 United States Senate election in South Carolina; 2014 United States Senate elections
In 2014, Cash was among six candidates to challenge incumbent Lindsey Graham in the Republican Primary for the United States Senate.[7] His ads touted numerous arrests for protesting abortion[8] and criticism of the incumbent for his positions on abortion.[9] Cash came in third in the Republican Primary.[10]
Further information: 2020 South Carolina Senate election § District 3 (May 30, 2017) |
In 2017, Cash bested a field of eight candidates, including ex-South Carolina State Representatives Don Bowen and John William Tucker, Jr., in a special election to fill the unexpired term of State Senator Kevin L. Bryant, who vacated the seat and succeeded to the position of Lt. Governor of South Carolina.[11] When no candidate received a majority of the votes, Cash and ex-Mayor of Pendleton, South Carolina, Carol Burdette, went on to a head-to-head runoff. Cash received several endorsements, including from Lt. Governor Bryant, Representative Jonathan D. Hill, and the Club for Growth.[12] After winning the primary, he won the uncontested general election.
Further information: 2020 South Carolina Senate election § District 3 |
Cash was challenged by Anderson County Councilman Craig Wooten in the Republican Primary. Both candidates took conservative positions, with Cash championing anti-abortion legislation he proposed and Wooten pitching himself as a more pragmatic conservative alternative that was more focused on promoting Anderson County. Over $150,000 was raised over the course of the primary, and Cash was endorsed by the NRA Political Victory Fund, Republican Liberty Caucus, and South Carolina Citizens for Life.[3][13] Cash defeated Wooten with 57% of the vote.[14] In the general election, Cash faced retired teacher and Democrat, Judith Polson, handily defeating her with 74% of the vote.[15][16]
Further information: 2024 South Carolina Senate election § District 3 |
In 2024, Cash will face a Democratic challenger, Jessicka Spearman, in the general election.[17] Cash and Spearman have radically different approaches on LGBT rights,[18] with Cash having an established history of anti-LGBT views.[19][20][21][22][23][24][25] In March 2024, Cash outright dismissed the concept of gender and affirmative care, claiming that children can only be transgender because their peers pressure them into it.[26]
Following redistricting after the 2020 US Census, S.C. Senate District 3 covers parts of Anderson County, South Carolina.
In 2023, Cash was one of the main Senators to push for tighter abortion restrictions in the state, opposing the 'Sister Senators', the five women who worked together across party lines to resist the bill. The Senate ultimately passed a six-week abortion law that year.[27] He is known as one of South Carolina's most staunch abortion foes.[6]