Senator Dick Harpootlian

Senator Dick Harpootlian Contact information

Here you will find contact information for Senator Dick Harpootlian, including email address, phone number, and mailing address.

NameDick Harpootlian
PositionSenator
Statestate representatives     South Carolina     
PartyDemocratic
emailEmail Form
Website
Contact Senator Dick Harpootlian
Dick Harpootlian, born January 23, 1949, is an American politician affiliated with the Democratic Party. He has been serving as a member of the South Carolina State Senate, representing District 20, since November 14, 2018.

Senator Dick Harpootlian



Senator Richard A. “Dick” Harpootlian

  • Party Affiliation: Democratic
  • District: 20 (Richland and Lexington Counties)
  • Incumbent Since: November 14, 2018
  • Spouse: Jamie Lindler
  • Child: Katherine S.
  • Education:
    • Clemson University (B.A., 1971)
    • University of South Carolina School of Law (J.D., 1974)
  • Profession: Attorney

Early Life and Legal Career:

  • Born on January 23, 1949, in New York, Richard Harpootlian is of Armenian descent. His grandparents fled their hometown of Harpoot (present-day Turkey) during the Armenian genocide and immigrated to the United States.
  • Harpootlian served as solicitor (district attorney) for the Fifth Judicial Circuit of South Carolina from 1991 to 1995. During his tenure, he prosecuted high-profile cases, including those involving Pee Wee Gaskins and University of South Carolina President Jim Holderman.

Political Career:

  • Harpootlian has been an influential figure in South Carolina politics:
    • Chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party:
      • 1998–2003
      • 2011–2013
    • State Senator (20th District):
      • Elected in a special election in 2018, flipping a seat held by a Republican for decades.
      • Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
    • Ran for South Carolina Attorney General in 1994 (unsuccessful).

Notable Recent Event:

  • Harpootlian represented former attorney Alex Murdaugh, who faced multiple charges. Murdaugh was later convicted of murdering his son Paul and wife Maggie.

Senator Harpootlian’s dedication to public service and his legal expertise continue to shape South Carolina’s political landscape.

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