- Nick Theodore
-
Nick Theodore 85th Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina In office
1987–1995Preceded by Michael R. Daniel Succeeded by Bob Peeler Personal details Born September 16, 1928
Greenville, South CarolinaPolitical party Democratic Spouse(s) Emilie Demosthenes Children Drew, , Stephanie Occupation Businessman Religion Greek Orthodox Website o Nick Andrew Theodore (born March 2, 1928) was a State representative from 1963 to 1966 and 1970 to 1978, a South Carolina state senator from 1967 to 1968 and 1981 to 1986, and the Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina from 1987 to 1995. He is a member of the Democratic Party.[1]
Theodore attended the University of Georgia and graduated in 1952 from Furman University with a bachelor of arts. He spent a total of 24 years serving in the South Carolina state legislature before being elected in 1986 to the office of Lieutenant Governor. He served two full terms in that post under Republican Governor Carroll Campbell.
Ironically, it was fellow Greenville resident Campbell who, in 1978, had defeated Theodore in an election to the United States House of Representatives from South Carolina's 4th congressional district, one of famed political strategist Lee Atwater's first major triumphs. Despite this history, and the differences in their political philosophies and party affiliations, Campbell and Theodore worked together quite effectively during their two terms in office, and remained friendly with each other.
At the conclusion of Campbell's two terms in office, Theodore ran for Governor in 1994, defeating Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. to secure the Democratic nomination. Theodore lost to Campbell's protégé David Beasley, however, in the general election.
Four years later in 1998 he tried to regain his former post as Lt. Governor but lost in the general election to incumbent Bob Peeler (R).
In 2002, Theodore came out of a quasi-retirement to accept an interim appointment to the South Carolina Public Service Commission, ending in 2004. In 2006, his son, Drew Theodore, became the Democratic nominee for the statewide office of Comptroller General.
References
- ^ Bailey, N. Louise, Morgan, Mary L., and Taylor, Carolyn R., Biographical Directory of the South Carolina State Senate: 1776-1985, v. III (1986). pp. 1589-1591, University of South Carolina Press, ISBN 0-87249-489-6.
Preceded by
Michael R. DanielLieutenant Governor of South Carolina
1987 - 1995Succeeded by
Bob PeelerCategories:- 1928 births
- Living people
- Lieutenant Governors of South Carolina
- Members of the South Carolina House of Representatives
- South Carolina State Senators
- South Carolina Democrats
- People from Greenville, South Carolina
- Furman University alumni
- American people of Greek descent
- Greek Orthodox Christians
- Eastern Orthodox Christians from the United States
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.