Larry Grooms


Lawrence K. "Larry" Grooms is a Republican member of the South Carolina Senate, representing the 37th District.

Personal life

Grooms grew up in the small town of St. Stephen, South Carolina and after graduating from high school went on to receive a degree from Clemson University. He is married to Carol Grooms and is the father of three boys, Taylor, Hayden, and Jack.

Early career

After college Grooms started a convenience store business, which he successfully expanded into a chain of gas stations throughout low-country South Carolina.

Political career

Grooms was first elected to the State Senate in 1997 as a Republican, and has maintained a strongly conservative voting record throughout his tenure.
He firmly opposes gay marriage, stating "I firmly believe marriage is between one man and one woman – and I will fight to defend traditional marriage against every attack."
During a November 24, 2017, exchange with a constituent on Facebook, Grooms affirmed his support for Roy Moore's Alabama Senate campaign despite Moore's sexual abuse allegations. During that exchange, Grooms said "I stand with Roy Moore," when asked to comment on the sexual allegations. In a later interview, Grooms qualified his answer, saying, "If the allegations are proved to be true, it would be a different story."

2010 gubernatorial candidacy

In May 2009, Grooms announced his candidacy for the Governor of South Carolina in the 2010 South Carolina gubernatorial election. In January 2010, he ended his campaign.