COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce (SC Chamber) is pleased to announce the recipients of its annual Legislator of the Year awards for their work during the 2024 legislative session and their positive impact on the state’s business climate. This year’s awards recipients are:

2024 House Legislator of the Year: Representative Roger Kirby (D-District 101)

The SC Chamber is pleased to recognize Representative Roger Kirby as our 2024 House Legislator of the Year award recipient for his longstanding support of a pro-business agenda, and his consistent willingness to work across the aisle to better South Carolina’s business environment.

“Representative Kirby has been a consistent friend of the business community since his election to the General Assembly in 2015, and we are proud to recognize him as our 2024 House Legislator of the Year,” said SC Chamber President and CEO Mike Brenan. “We admire and appreciate his commitment to working on issues that better South Carolina, like economic development, workforce development, lawsuit reform, and education, among others, and applaud his willingness to work across the aisle in search of common-sense solutions.”

“It is my distinct honor to be recognized by the SC Chamber as the 2024 House Legislator of the Year,” said Representative Roger Kirby. “South Carolina depends upon the continued success of our business sector for the overall health and prosperity of our citizens. We have many challenges ahead, particularly with workforce development, rural infrastructure, education, and access to affordable healthcare. With the strong support of our business community and small business sector, we can overcome these challenges and continue our great successes of economic development and opportunity for all of our citizens.”

2024 Senate Legislator of the Year: Senator Ross Turner (R-District 8)

The SC Chamber is pleased to recognize Senator Ross Turner (R-District 8) as our 2024 Senate Legislator of the Year award recipient for his steadfast commitment to free enterprise and to letting businesses operate with limited government interference, and for leading on numerous issues important to the business community.

“Senator Turner is a leader on so many issues that are important to the business community, including lawsuit reform, the affordability and availability of childcare, tax relief for businesses, and many others,” said Brenan. “We are grateful for his leadership and unwavering friendship with the business community and are proud to recognize him as our 2024 Senate Legislator of the Year.”

“I’m deeply honored to be named the SC Chamber’s 2024 Senate Legislator of the Year," said Senator Ross Turner. "As a business owner, I am committed to creating a brighter economic future for South Carolina which includes ensuring our businesses are set up to grow and prosper without regulatory barriers and providing a qualified workforce of homegrown talent.”

To be considered for the Legislator of the Year Award, a legislator must meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Maintain a strong pro-business voting record.
• Lead on SC Chamber-supported, pro-business legislation.
• Consistently support business community priorities.
• Is a rising star on business community issues.
• Develop a strong partnership with the SC Chamber.
• Willing to work “across the aisle” to pass pro-business legislation.

Representative Kirby and Senator Turner will be recognized during the SC Chamber’s 45^th Annual Summit, presented by Ogletree Deakins, October 28^th-30^th at the Wild Dunes Resort in Isle of Palms, South Carolina.

About SC Chamber

The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce is the State’s leading voice for business with a vision to make South Carolina’s economy the most vibrant in the United States, creating opportunity and prosperity for all. We promote free enterprise; define and advocate for a pro-business agenda; convene business leaders, and partner with key allies. Learn more at http://www.scchamber.net.