Chad Connelly

Chad Connelly
Chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party
In office
May 7, 2011  June 8, 2013
Preceded by Karen Floyd
Succeeded by Matt Moore
Personal details
Born Bruce Chadwick Connelly
August 22, 1963
Prosperity, South Carolina, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Dana Connelly; four children
Alma mater Clemson University
Occupation Engineer
Religion Southern Baptist[1]
Website www.ChadConnelly.com

Bruce Chadwick Connelly (born August 22, 1963) served as chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party from May 2011 until June 2013, when he resigned to take a senior role at the Republican National Committee.[2][3]

Biography

Early life

He graduated from Clemson University, where he earned a degree in civil engineering in 1985.

Career

He began his career as an engineer but later started his own business.[2]

He was elected chairman on May 7, 2011.[4] He had previously occupied various positions in the party including chairman of the Newberry County Republican Party and delegate to the 2004 Republican National Convention.[2] In the run-up to the 2012 Republican primary season, Connelly argued against an early primary in Florida.[5] Ultimately, South Carolina held its primary on January 21, ten days before the primary in Florida. On May 4, 2013, Connelly was re-elected to a second two-year term.[6]

He is the author of Freedom Tide (ISBN 978-0937539682), which he describes as "a book dedicated to inspiring Americans about [their] heritage".[1]

He is the founder and president of the Foundation for American Restoration, a Christian-based political group and was a frequent speaker at Tea Party events.[7] He is a regular commentator on Fox News Channel, MSNBC, CNN, CNBC, and NPR as well as many other outlets in the United States. He serves on the board of the school choice and limited government advocacy group South Carolinians for Responsible Government as well as on the boards of the Palmetto Family Council and the South Carolina Citizens for Life.

Personal life

He lives in Prosperity, South Carolina with his wife Dana and their four children.[1]

Party political offices
Preceded by
Karen Floyd
Chairmen of the South Carolina Republican Party
May 7, 2011 – June 8, 2013
Succeeded by
Matt Moore

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Chad’s Biography". Official website of Chad Connelly. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Chairman Chad Connelly (biography)". South Carolina Republican Party. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  3. "Republican Party to step up outreach to evangelicals". CNN (CNN). June 8, 2013. Retrieved 8 June 2013.
  4. Angel, Ashley. "South Carolina Republicans Elect Chad Connelly as the New Chairman". WLTX. Retrieved March 12, 2012.
  5. Gibson, Jake (September 29, 2011). "South Carolina and Florida Face Off in Presidential Primary Calendar Chaos". Fox News. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  6. "Connelly re-elected as chairman of SC Republicans". AP (Charlotte Observer). May 4, 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  7. Brody, David (2012). The Teavangelicals: The Inside Story of How the Evangelicals and the Tea Party are Taking Back America. Zondervan. p. 99. ISBN 9780310335627. Retrieved April 1, 2013.