Matt Leber

American politician
Matt Leber
Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives
from the 116th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
December 2022
Preceded byChardale Murray
Personal details
Born (1973-04-05) April 5, 1973 (age 51)
Washington, North Carolina, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseS. Michelle Leber
Alma materMitchell Community College
Websitehttps://www.leberforsenate.com/
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army

Matt W. Leber is an American politician and Republican member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, representing District 116.[1]

Early life and career

Prior to being elected to office, Leber, a combat veteran, served eight years as a paratrooper in the United States Army.[2]

Political career

Second Amendment

Leber strongly supports the Second Amendment and has an A rating from the NRA.[3] In 2024, he voted for Constitutional Carry, speaking out against Senate amendments applying increased penalties on non permit holders, calling them unconstitutional and stating, "we cannot have a different class of citizens in America."[4]

In 2023, when Charleston County banned firearms on over 11,000 acres of public land, Leber called on the Governor and state Attorney General to reverse the ban.[5][6]

Drug trafficking

Leber sponsored a bill criminalizing the trafficking of fentanyl and was instrumental in pushing it through the House Judiciary Committee.[7][8] Leber has repeatedly called for increased security along the US Mexico border to combat drug trafficking and has proposed measures to dissuade illegal aliens from coming to South Carolina.[9] During Leber's 2022 House race, Democrats accused him of having participated in armed patrols on the US Mexico border.[10]

Pro-life

Matt Leber describes himself as pro-life and voted for the Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act.[11][12]

Term Limits

Leber supports term limits.[13]

2022 South Carolina House race

See also: 2022 South Carolina House of Representatives election

In the 2022 general election for South Carolina House of Representatives District 116, Leber defeated Democratic incumbent Chardale Murray.[14]

Representative Leber serves as Chairman of the Freshman Caucus, on the House Judiciary Committee, and on the newly formed standing House Committee on Artificial Intelligence (AI).[15][16]

2024 South Carolina Senate race

See also: 2024 South Carolina Senate Election

In September, 2023, Leber announced his candidacy for South Carolina State Senate District 41.[17] He will be running against Sandy Senn in the Republican primary.[18]

2024 Presidential candidate endorsements

In April 2023, Leber was the first South Carolina lawmaker to endorse Vivek Ramaswamy in the 2024 presidential election.[19] Leber served as Ramaswamy's State Chair for South Carolina.[20] After Ramaswamy suspended his presidential campaign, Leber joined Ramaswamy in endorsing former President Donald Trump in the 2024 Republican Presidential Primary.[21]

References

  1. ^ Whalen, Emma (November 8, 2022). ""Charleston County Statehouse seats gain Republican newcomers"". The Post and Courier. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  2. ^ "South Carolina Legislature Online - Member Biography". www.scstatehouse.gov. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
  3. ^ "Vote Smart | Facts For All". Vote Smart. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  4. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: SC's new gun law could be headed to Supreme Court". iHeart. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  5. ^ McBride, Molly (2023-08-29). "Charleston County Parks removes 'no concealable weapons allowed' signs". Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  6. ^ "Unlawful Firearm Signs to be Immediately Removed from Charleston County Parks | South Carolina Carry Inc". South Carolina Carry Inc. | Defending Gun Rights in South Carolina. 2023-08-23. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  7. ^ "2023-2024 Bill 3503: Trafficking in Fentanyl". www.scstatehouse.gov. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  8. ^ https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/bill-to-create-fentanyl-induced-homicide-charge-advancing-at-sc-state-house/ar-AA1ntjh0
  9. ^ "South Carolina Senate Race: 'Let His Criminal Record Speak For Itself' - FITSNews". 2024-03-27. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  10. ^ Sinner, Holy City (2022-11-02). "Rep. Wendell Gilliard Calls on Authorities to Investigate State House Candidate's Alleged Extremist Ties". Holy City Sinner. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  11. ^ "Meet Matt". www.leberforsenate.com. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  12. ^ "2023-2024 Bill 474: Abortion - Fetal Heartbeat". www.scstatehouse.gov. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  13. ^ Tillman, Scott (February 28, 2022). ""MATTHEW LEBER PLEDGES TO SUPPORT CONGRESSIONAL TERM LIMITS"". US Term Limits. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  14. ^ Brack, Andy (November 12, 2022). ""GOP's grip on S.C. House tightens"". Charleston City Paper. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  15. ^ Johnson, Dejon (2023-11-13). "House forms first-in-the-nation committee to study AI impact and policy development". WACH. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
  16. ^ "South Carolina Legislature Online - Member Biography". www.scstatehouse.gov. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
  17. ^ Byrd, Caitlin (2023-09-17). "Charleston Republican state senator gets challenger from GOP right flank over abortion ban". Post and Courier. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
  18. ^ Byrd, Caitlin (2023-09-17). "Charleston Republican state senator gets challenger from GOP right flank over abortion ban". Post and Courier. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
  19. ^ "Vivek Ramaswamy Picks Up Support In South Carolina - FITSNews". 2023-04-29. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
  20. ^ Byrd, Caitlin (2023-08-20). "Vivek Ramaswamy 'unsurprised' he could be debate target for Ron DeSantis". Post and Courier. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
  21. ^ https://twitter.com/voteleber/status/1749609532131549388
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