George E. “Chip” Campsen III is an American politician and attorney. Born on March 30, 1959, in Charleston, South Carolina, he has dedicated his career to public service. Chip is a member of the Republican party and has held significant roles in both the South Carolina House of Representatives and the South Carolina Senate.
Early Life and Education:
- Chip attended Wando High School and later pursued higher education:
- Furman University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in 1981.
- University of South Carolina, where he obtained a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree in 1988 and a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in 1989.
- Chip attended Wando High School and later pursued higher education:
Political Career:
- South Carolina House of Representatives (1996–2002):
- Chip served as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1996 to 2002.
- South Carolina Senate (2004–present):
- Since 2004, he has represented the 43rd District in the South Carolina Senate.
- His district covers coastal portions of Charleston, Beaufort, and Colleton Counties, extending from Bulls Bay to Port Royal Sound.
- Chip currently chairs the Senate Fish, Game, and Forestry Committee and serves on several other committees, including Judiciary, Legislative Oversight, Rules, and Transportation.
- Notably, he was the sole state senator who voted against the Base Load Review Act in 2004, which ultimately contributed to the failure of the VC Summer Nuclear Project expansion.
- In June 2023, Chip endorsed Tim Scott in the 2024 United States presidential election.
- South Carolina House of Representatives (1996–2002):
Personal Details:
- Chip is an avid outdoorsman and surfer, intimately familiar with the South Carolina coast.
- He is married to Lalla Lee Laffitte and has two children.
