Rep. John McCravy is STANDING FIRM
for your conservative values.

FAMILY

Rep. McCravy is dedicated to protecting the traditional Christian values that let families and societies thrive

FREEDOM

Rep. McCravy stands for your religious freedom and your constitutional rights. 

BETTER GOVERNMENT

Rep. McCravy fights for low taxes, less government, and complete accountability to you, the people. 

Background

•    Son of John and Meg McCravy of Greenwood
•    Graduated from Greenwood High School in 1976, Clemson University in 1982, and USC School of Law in 1985. 
•    Married to former Dana Shaw for 43 years
•    Two children: John R. “JR” McCravy IV (Amy) and Kelley Robertson (Dillon)
•    Four grandchildren: John R. “Ian” McCravy V, Ruth Elaine McCravy, Lydia June McCravy, and Callie Joy McCravy

Legislative

• Chairman: Special Laws Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee

• Moderator: S.C. Family Caucus

• Member: Republican Caucus, Military Caucus, Law Enforcement Caucus

• SC State Chairman: National Association of Christian Lawmakers

Occupation

• Managing Attorney: McCravy, Newlon, Sturkie and Clardy Law Firm, P.A.

• Adjunct Faculty: Lander University – Commercial Law
   

Community

• Elder: Calvary Chapel Greenwood

• Founding Member: Greater Greenwood United Ministries

• Board Member: CrossRoads Women’s Center

• Member: Greenwood Chamber of Commerce, Masonic Lodge

Awards and Endorsements

• SC Baptist Convention— Public Service Award

• SC Sheriffs’ Association— Legislative Champion

• SC Citizens for Life— Distinguished Service Award

• Palmetto Family—Champion Award

• SC Association of Crisis Pregnancy Centers—Wings of Eagles Award

About

Rep. John R. McCravy III (R) represents House District 13 in the S.C. State House. District 13 includes most of Greenwood County: parts of the city of Greenwood, the towns of Ninety Six and Hodges, parts of Ware Shoals, and one precinct in Laurens County. Click HERE for the district map.

Better Government

Honesty, Transparency, Accountability

Protecting lake greenwood!

One of the most important jobs of a legislator is finding solutions to difficult problems. The Conestee Dam is upstream from Lake Greenwood on the Reedy River. This dam is over 135 years and was only designed to last 50 years, but holds back toxic waste dating back to the Industrial Revolution.

Recently the dam has become more unstable and has been identified as a potential environmental hazard. I worked hard in the House while Senator Garrett worked hard in the Senate to get state funding for a new dam that will hold back buried sediment. Our work paid off and we were successful in getting full funding for the construction of a new dam to the tune of $36 million (plus some third-party contributions). Once constructed this will be a 100+ year fix and buys time for a complete clean up in later years. https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=642286207706305&set=a.302384681696461

FOIA reform

Citizens deserve to know how their taxes are spent.  I have consistently supported strengthening our Freedom of Information Act laws, including reform to make accessing public documents easier and faster.

Ethics and Transparency are more than words to me. Since my election, I have been offered campaign donations from powerful special interests. I have taken none of it because I believe avoiding the appearance of impropriety is important. I am in favor of the public’s right to information and have voted to strengthen FOIA laws.

BUSINESS IS BOOMING!

Government regulations and tax burdens should not get in the way of business and our state needs to stay economically competitive. Since I have been on the job, South Carolina has welcomed over $20 billion in new business investments. I voted to maintain a strong Commerce Department and have been pleased to welcome many new businesses and expansions to Greenwood County including:

• Teijin Ltd., a carbon fiber manufacturing company, to Greenwood, which will provide 220 jobs to Lakelands citizens at its new plant.

• Impressa Building Systems—modular factory with 180 new jobs

• Monti, Inc., creating copper and aluminum conductors, insulators, etc., building an estimated 300 homes per year

• E. A Sween Company, investing $38 million and creating 300 new jobs

• Lonza expansion investing $46 million

• Mumford Industries, creating 33 new jobs

• WC Fiber $42 million expansion over 5 years

• Velux expansion, $26 million investment

• Eaton Expansion, 30 new jobs

• Ascend Performance Materials, $16.2 million expansion

• Caterpillar, investing 13.5 million creating 85 new jobs

Greenwood County currently has record low unemployment rate (3.4%, Dec, 2022) and 1,000+ job openings.

Small business is also thriving in Greenwood and our state, and as a small business owner, I will always vote to reduce tax and regulation that stifle small business.

LOWER TAXES

Government must learn to do more with less.  High taxes are choking out small businesses in America, so we must hold state taxes to a bare minimum.

I have consistently voted to return surplus tax money to the taxpayers, to freeze in-state tuition at our state technical schools, colleges and universities and to give teachers a pay raise. We have also provided funding to put an SRO in every school to boost school safety, and ensure student access to mental health.

I have consistently voted to reduce taxes by lowering the SC income tax rate and voting to refund surplus taxes to the taxpayer. These efforts will continue to attract business and retirees to our state and grow our economy.

Conservative Judges

In South Carolina, the legislature elects our judges. Activist judges hurt us when they go beyond their constitutional mandate and make their own laws.

JUDICIAL REFORM

I have called for ethical governance and the avoidance of conflicts of interest. For example, currently, incumbent judges are prohibited from contributing to the campaign of legislators who will vote in their races, but judicial candidates are not.  I proposed legislation to end this appearance of impropriety and make judicial races fairer.

I also favor judicial reform. The Judicial Merit Selection Commission set up by our Constitution should not be dominated by attorney-legislators and this practice needs to end. I favor appointments made by the Governor and the Attorney General in addition to legislative appointments, and will vote for proposed reform to do just that.

First Responders

I support our law enforcement officers, firefighters, corrections officers, EMS employees, and emergency room personnel.  They sacrifice their nights, weekends and holidays to serve us in dangerous conditions. I make it a priority to recognize first responders in my district, especially those who have served us for 20 years or more.

I am determined to help the families of our fallen first responders in this state. I have sponsored a bill that will create a Fallen First Responder Survivor Advocate. This advocate’s sole job will be to help the families of fallen first responders through the difficult process that follows their loved ones’ death.

VETERANS

Our veterans fought for our freedom. We owe them our gratitude for their countless sacrifices. I support legislation to make their retirement free from state taxes as a small way to say thank you, and we finally passed that measure in 2022.

I sponsored and worked hard to pass a bill that elevated the SC Director of Veteran Affairs to a cabinet-level position to ensure excellent, consistent, accountable services to the 450,000 veterans in SC who deserve our thanks. This bill was signed into law, and promises to enhance services to our veterans throughout the state.

I also co-sponsored a bill that provides a tax credit for disabled veterans and several other veteran friendly bills. https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess124_2021-2022/bills/3352.htm

family values

I believe strong families hold society together - I do all I can to support traditional family values. 

Pro-life

I am 100% pro-life. I represent the unborn tirelessly in the State House. I strongly advocated for and voted for the Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Act that passed the House in 2017. I co-sponsored the Fetal Personhood Bill that would legally grant the unborn the status of human beings. In the face of strong opposition, I successfully introduced an amendment to the budget that effectively defunds Planned Parenthood in S.C. Click here to see video of the House voting to defund Planned Parenthood.

In 2019, I introduced Dylan’s Law in the legislature and it passed both houses.  We were all honored when Governor McMaster came to the Genetic Center in Greenwood to sign it with affected families looking on.  Now all newborns in SC will be screened for three genetic disorders including Krabbe Disease so they can receive lifesaving treatment in time.


I authored and was the primary sponsor for the Heartbeat Bill (S. C. Fetal Heartbeat Protection from Abortion Act H. 3020) that would ban abortions if a heartbeat is detectable. With the active help of Family Caucus members and most Republican Caucus members, we were able to pass this bill in the House in 2019 by a margin of 70-31 with 21 not voting. The Heartbeat Bill died in the Senate, but after the 2020 elections newly elected Senators including Sen, Billy Garrett (Greenwood) gave the Senate victory. It was finally signed into law in 2021by the Governor, only to be struck down by our own SC Supreme Court in late 2022.

After Roe v. Wade was overturned, I chaired a special Ad Hoc committee that drafted the Human Life Protection Act in the Fall of 2022. That bill passed twice in the House and was narrowly defeated in the Senate. After the Heartbeat Bill was declared unconstitutional by the SC Supreme court, I helped re-write the bill that we passed in 2023, despite a Democrat filibuster of almost 1,000 amendments. The fight for life is difficult, complicated and engaging, but I will never give up on those who cannot defend themselves.

TOUGH ON CRIME

Unfortunately, the dangerous Fentanyl pills have been pouring across our southern border and is killing 1,000 South Carolinians a year. I co-sponsored a new Fentanyl Trafficking bill that includes new stiffer penalties and mandatory minimums. I made sure I was there when this bill was signed into law by Governor McMaster.

Another important bill I co-sponsored and fought for was a Bond Reform bill to help stop the revolving door for violent and dangerous criminals while their trials are pending. While it passed there is more to do on this issue. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=635783948356531&set=a.302384681696461

Finally, we passed a Sextortion Bill to criminalize this evil type of extortion that destroys families and often results in death.

traditional marriage

I believe that marriage is the God-ordained union between one man and one woman, which is how it is defined by S. C. law. 

Education

Our PARENTS AND children

Superior education for our children is one of the legislature’s most important issues. At stake is no less than the future of our state. Parents should have the right to be able to see what their children are being taught to prevent indoctrination in the form of Marxist CRT, and the LBGTQ agenda. I will continue to sponsor and work for legislation to accomplish this.

OUR TEACHERS   

Our teacher shortage is real in SC, and action needs to be taken. I voted for Education reform that would consolidate failing school districts, raise teacher pay to the southeast average, eliminate unnecessary classroom testing, reduce class sizes and provide for mandatory planning periods for teachers. In 2022, I voted for the budget that raised starting teacher pay to 40k and removed the 10k retirement cap. In 2023, I voted for another $2,500 raise for starting teachers, and raises for all teachers. In fact, I have voted for teacher raises every session since I have been in the legislature and my goal is to get to the national average for starting teacher pay.

SCHOOL Safety

Our schools must be safe.  Ever since our Oakland tragedy, I have advocated for an armed school resource officer in every school.  I co-signed a bill to help school districts make this a reality and voted in 2021 to fund an SRO in every school. I also voted for legislation that now allows retired law enforcement to serve as SROs without losing their retirement benefits. 

School Choice

Our Faithful Community

We are blessed with benevolent organizations in Greenwood that strengthen our community. I have publicly recognized the Burton Center, Connie Maxwell Children’s Home, Faith Home, Volunteers in Medical Missions, Greater Greenwood United Ministry, Beckman Mental Health, Crossroads Women’s Center, Pathway House, and others for their immeasurable positive impact on the Lakelands community.
 

Threats To The Family 

Human trafficking has been uncovered in our state. I supported our Attorney General in the fight to eradicate this abhorrent human rights violation.  I also voted to strengthen our obscenity laws.

Common sense tells us that biological males should not be competing with girls and women in school sports. This is why I co-sponsored the "Save Women's Sports Act" and fought for this bill until it finally became the law of SC in 2022.

I am a strong supporter of the “Help not Harm” bill (https://familypolicyalliance.com/help-not-harm/) to prevent irreparable harm to children by drugs and surgery under the guise of “gender affirming care,” or “sex change.” I am making it a priority to fight for this measure being passed as soon as possible to protect children.

Freedom

Religious Liberty

I believe in religious liberty for everyone.  When the left-leaning American Bar Association tried to push “new societal norms” on S.C. attorneys, I requested an opinion from our Attorney General on the constitutionality of requiring attorneys to advocate causes that violated their religious beliefs.  His opinion correctly asserted that the ABA’s attempt is unconstitutional.
I also co-signed a bill to allow public school teachers to participate in student-organized religious activities, such as student-led prayer, because religious freedom belongs in schools.

Churches should never be forced to be shut down at the whim of the Government. I co-sponsored the "Religion is Essential" bill that would prohibit this practice and we passed it through the House in 2020. It finally passed the Senate in 2022 and was signed into law by the Governor.

The Second Amendment guarantees our right to own and carry firearms at our discretion.  I have opposed laws that would restrict or tax our legal use of guns, I co-sponsored the “SC Constitutional Carry Act,” which the House passed in 2020. I also co-sponsored the "Open Carry with Permit Act," which we passed and the Governor signed in 2020. I am a lifelong sportsman and NRA member, and I have received an ‘A’ rating from the NRA in every election cycle.

how you can help

Together, we are making a difference in the lives of S.C. citizens. You can be a part of that difference by donating to my campaign.

I represent you – I accept donations ONLY from individuals and local businesses, NEVER from PACs, special interests, lobbyists, or judicial candidates.
 

Raise Awareness

In 5 minutes or less, you can help re-elect me in 2024:

•    Like my Facebook page  
•    Share posts and invite your friends to like my page
•    Post a yard sign at the appropriate time
•    Volunteer to help at upcoming event(s)

My team will deliver materials to you! Call my office at (864) 388-9100 or email me at john@mccravyforhouse.com to request signs and bumper stickers. 

Volunteer

We are looking for volunteers to contribute a few hours to help with campaign events. Call my office at (864) 388-9100 or email me at john@mccravyforhouse.com to sign up!
 

I USUALLY WAIT UNTIL THE END OF THE SESSION TO SEND OUT A LETTER TO CONSTITUENTS BUT SO MUCH IS HAPPENING, I FEEL THE NEED TO KEEP YOU INFORMED OF THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY AT OUR STATEHOUSE.  Warning—Because I only know how to be frank and give you the straight of it some people may not like what I have to say, but here goes.   

THE GOOD – Republicans Coming together

We started the session with high hopes for South Carolina following President Trump’s win, and we have had some impressive victories.  

School Choice

School Choice empowers parents and students by offering the freedom to select the educational environment that best suits their individual needs and aspirations. While this bill helps a limited number of veteran and lower income families, it does not realize the ultimate goal, but is a big step in the right direction. This law is also designed to survive the inevitable lawsuit that will follow. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AAWag6ksa/ 

Electing Conservative Judges

One of the most important tasks our Republican legislators face is making sure we elect conservative Justices who interpret the plain meaning of the Constitution without adding their woke judicial activism to the mix.  We were blessed to see Justice John Kittredge elected and assume the duties of Chief Justice. Justice Kittredge is a man of true integrity with the kind of values we need in our state. It is refreshing to see a good man who genuinely cares about justice and mercy in this very important position.  This is always a SC Family Caucus priority.  https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HH1xKQPhj/  

Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act

Republicans also came together to pass one of the most impactful bills to remove excessive regulations that hamper small business and economic development.  These regulations are usually promulgated by bureaucratic state agencies run amuck. The Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act ends outdated regulations unless reapproved, prevents unelected bureaucrats from creating new rules without approval, and most of all requires a regulatory budget—for every new regulation two must go! https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FnEk6uhpp/ 

“Liquor Liability Bill”

One of the most contentious issues for restaurants and bars has been the problem of high “business ending” insurance premiums when liquor is served.  While the problem of overserving has contributed to our state getting the number one ranking for DUI deaths in the nation, a good compromise was passed called the “Liquor Liability Bill” that would hopefully reduce premiums while giving incentives to bars and restaurants to implement safety measures.  We can only “hope” this works because no matter what we do, the insurance industry will not guarantee premiums will be lower and they will not even divulge what the average premium is. Frustrating to say the least.  https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19K48YmubR/

Protecting our Crisis Pregnancy Centers

During the budget process, Democrats made a surprise attack on vital funding for crisis pregnancy centers.  The attack was soundly defeated as Republicans joined together to stop the effort in its tracks. Crisis pregnancy centers help women with all manner of services who experience unplanned pregnancies and save many lives and families in our state.  Helping crisis pregnancy centers is a priority of the SC Family Caucus.   https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1A7v2tHUJw/

Protecting Minors 

PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN SHOULD BE OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.  I co-sponsored H. 3046, which makes it a crime to morph the face of a minor onto pornographic images. I was proud of Rep. Travis Moore, a Family Caucus member for sponsoring and fighting for this bill over stiff Democrat opposition on the floor.  The bill ultimately passed the House by a vote of 96-19 with only Democrats voting against. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/164yo39tEB/ .

Social media is now the number 1 cause of mental illness in minors.  Republicans in the SC House came together to protect our children by joining Texas and 12 other red states requiring parental approval for minors before they are exposed to the dangers of social media.  This bill was a priority for our SC Family Caucus this year. www.SCFamilyCaucus.org.   https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BjkBf3Wyi/.

Dismantling DEI

After a long debate, House Republicans joined together and voted to rid our state of the propaganda and division promoted by DEI programs. H.3827 dismantles DEI in state government and education. This is a huge step toward preventing our tax dollars from financing government DEI positions with six figure salaries, as well as stopping our government employees, teachers, university employees and students from being subjected to these woke training and indoctrination programs. Republican and 28-year veteran Rep. Harriet Holman (retired Lt. Col.) spoke in favor of the bill stating we should all be judged by merit and hard work, not DEI or color of skin.  Proud of my friend and Family Caucus member, Rep. Doug Gilliam, primary sponsor of this important bill, as well as Rep. Josiah Magnuson who has been raising awareness of this issue for many years. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1A64zRmdAx/ 

Conservative Budget

Although a small number of Republicans voted against the budget on principle, I was pleased to see a majority of Republicans come together to pass a conservative balanced budget this year with real tax cuts, raises for law enforcement, more funding for school resource officers and raises in teacher pay for eight years in a row (excluding 2020 when we had no new budget).  The budget also funded public school safety upgrades, as well as higher education tuition mitigation and workforce scholarships.

Infrastructure was again a priority with an additional $200 million for bridges and another $20 million for statewide water and sewer needs.   The budget also matched federal funds for disaster relief from Helene.  Healthcare was another priority as we funded residency programs, increased the number of beds for mental health and substance abuse patients, and fully funded a neurological treatment and surgery center at MUSC. 

Finally, the budget continued to encourage economic development with site ready investments, airport enhancements, a new workforce development portal, and tourism promotion.

THE BAD – When Republicans are Not Unified

“Tax Cut” Bill

I have been asked about why I removed my name from the big “tax cut” bill (H. 4216). This bill was proposed jointly last week by all Republican leadership in our state (Senate, House and Governor) in a press conference. The idea presented was to go to a 3.99% flat tax to compete with other neighboring red states for business.

While the concept sounded great in the beginning, I was SHOCKED when I found out from the SC Revenue and Fiscal Affairs office that it would result in a TAX INCREASE for 60% of S.C. taxpayers. Further, I discovered the most substantial INCREASES ($500-$1,000) would be on MIDDLE CLASS TAXPAYERS (I.e., first responders, teachers, nurses, etc.) while taxes would only be reduced for people earning more than 120k. The lower tax “rate” would only be possible because taxes would now be based on gross income (higher than the current tax based on adjusted gross income).

Since I will never vote for a bill that raises taxes on the average hard-working SC citizen, I removed my name as a sponsor. It is my hope that our Republican leadership finds a different method for not just changing how we calculate “tax rates,” but substantially cutting the “tax dollars” taken from our citizens. (Frankly, I would rather replace/eliminate unfair PROPERTY TAXES, especially for seniors, and I am still trying to get a hearing on my bill to start that conversation).

Casinos and Gambling

Even though the SC Republican Party platform opposes it, certain powerful Republicans, that’s right, Republicans in both the House and Senate have joined with Democrats to sponsor bills to establish casinos, legalize all gambling, create a SC Gaming Commission and legalize sports betting with 95% of the revenue going to offshore gambling interests.  The SC Family Caucus strongly opposes turning our state into Las Vegas. 

24/7 Liquor with Curbside sales and delivery 

Several bills have been filed by Republicans that would allow 24/7 liquor sales as well as liquor curbside sales and delivery.   Powerful special interests like DIAGEO have hired no less than five SC lobbyists and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions to get their agenda passed.  What is that agenda?  “Party everywhere, all the time.”  South Carolina values do not align with this vision and we don’t want our children exposed to liquor ads and shops on every corner.  Even the mom-and-pop liquor stores oppose this legislation because they understand the consequences.  I will continue to fight these bills in Judiciary and on the floor. 

THE UGLY – When some Republicans work against Life

Some Republicans are Currently Refusing to Protect Life

In keeping with the SC Republican Party Platform, (which calls for life to be “protected at all stages”) voters in our state delivered the message in 2024 elections that South Carolina Republicans are 100% pro-life!  Republican primary voters rewarded those who had voted for life and sent home several powerful legislators who worked against the Heartbeat bill and the Human Life Protection Act.  While the Heartbeat Bill is saving thousands of lives, we are still having an estimated 2,400 legal abortions in our state before a heartbeat is detected. The Human Life Protection Act, if enacted, would protect children from the moment of conception.   

In 2022 and 2023, the Human Life Protection Act passed in the House but failed in the Senate by only one and two votes respectively.  The Heartbeat Bill was never intended to be the final pro-life bill in SC.  Due to impasse between the House and Senate, the pro-life compromise in 2023 was passing an improved Heartbeat Bill with an important promise from leadership in the House and Senate. As part of that compromise, leadership in both houses agreed to bring up the Human Life Protection Act immediately after the 2024 elections.  Unfortunately, that has not happened-- yet.  

The Human Life Protection Act is the number one priority for the SC Family Caucus this year.  There are not enough Democrats in the legislature to come close to stopping this bill. While I filed the bill along with dozens of Republican sponsors in the House, it grieves me to admit that other Republicans have actually prevented the bill from getting out of the Judiciary Committee in the House.  The truth is that certain Republicans are hiding from the public and working to keep the bill buttoned up in the Judiciary Committee because these Republicans do not want to see this bill reach the light of day.  They also know that when it makes it out of committee and gets to the floor, they will be forced to vote for it themselves for political cover. 

It also grieves me that despite promises, the Senate, also with a supermajority of Republicans, has failed to get the HLPA filed and failed to get any pro-life bill that would prevent these abortions to a committee.  

Folks this is not only a political battle, but it is a spiritual battle “fought not by flesh and blood.”  While the enemy wants to kill, steal and destroy, our God is on the side of these precious children and we must continue the fight with spiritual weapons. May the Lord change the hearts of those who would be content with a law allowing 2,400 lives a year (10 per business day) to be legally executed in South Carolina.   https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16AQ6T7VVS/