Hugh Thompson Rice Jr. (born August 4, 1957) is the current U.S. Representative for South Carolina’s 7th congressional district. Elected to the 113th Congress in November 2012, he is a conservative Republican. Rice supports the right to life movement and thinks the U.S. government has strayed from tenets of the Constitution. He was a member of the freshman class chosen to sit at the House Republican leadership table. Rice was a former chair of Horry County Council.
Rice is up for re-election in the June 12th primary. His opponent in the primary is Larry Guy Hammond. Rice’s opponent in the general will be Democratic challenger Mal Hyman.
MyrtleBeachSC News has followed the 3 candidates’ campaigns for some time now. Hyman opposed Rice in his just previous run for office. Hammond spoke at the recent HCGOP rally and on several other local campaign venues, which our news team followed carefully.
Because of our familiarity with local issues and our knowledge of where each candidate stands on those issues, MyrtleBeachSC.com has decided to publicly state our endorsement of Tom Rice for the 2018 District 7 office.
We realize this is an early call, however, we believe strongly that Rice is making the differences necessary to move District 7 forward. While those efforts can appear incremental at times, we believe Congressman Rice is operating at the fastest pace possible considering what bureaucratic systems allow.
No person, nor any group, will always agree with any candidate on every issue. Mr. Rice clearly remains in touch and continues to legislate in step with the voters of District 7.
MyrtleBeachSC news works for the residents of Horry County.
When any elected official operates in conflict with the wishes or best interests of those residents, MyrtleBeachSC news can be trusted to put sunlight on that matter.
In reviewing Congressman Rice’s tenure in office, we believe he has consistently worked for the best interests of our resident population.
We wish him success in his June 12th effort.