A Special Message from Governor McMaster
Letter from Governor McMaster and First Lady
Governor McMaster
Henry Dargan McMaster of Columbia became the 117th Governor of South Carolina on January 24, 2017 and was elected to his first full term on November 6, 2018.
The son of former state representative John Gregg McMaster and Ida Dargan McMaster, Governor McMaster is a lifelong servant of the State of South Carolina. He previously served two years as lieutenant governor, eight years as attorney general, and four years as a United States attorney.
McMaster was the first U.S. attorney appointed by President Ronald Reagan and was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate. His “Operation Jackpot” investigation into international drug smuggling produced over 100 convictions.
As attorney general, McMaster made prosecution of criminal domestic violence a top priority and harnessed the resources of law enforcement and prosecutors to crack down on child Internet predators. He extended the state grand jury’s jurisdiction to environmental and gang crimes and broadened its authority to include securities crimes following the collapse of Carolina Investors and Home Gold, convicting those responsible.
First Lady Peggy McMaster
First Lady Peggy McMaster grew up in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Her parents, Thomas Wales McAbee of Roebuck and Mary Rogers McAbee (nee Anderson) of Laurens, encouraged her, her brother, and her two sisters to grow their hearts through service to their church and community.
After graduating from Spartanburg High School, the First Lady attended Spartanburg Junior College for two years. She was employed by United Airlines as a flight attendant when she met Governor McMaster while he was serving as a legislative assistant for the late Senator Strom Thurmond in Washington, D.C. They were married in her home church, First Baptist Spartanburg. The Governor and First Lady began their life together in Columbia, S.C., where she graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in business administration and fashion. After graduation, she fulfilled her dream of being a small business owner; opening and operating The Parasol boutique for 17 years.
