C. Alex Harvin, III Papers

“Harvin was a true public servant. He worked tirelessly for the people of his beloved Clarendon County. He knew every last person in the district and would be the first person they’d hear from on birthdays, anniversaries, and just about any significant event.” -State Democratic Party Chairman Joe Erwin, upon Harvin’s death in 2005

Charles Alexander “Alex” Harvin, III was born in Sumter to Charles Alexander, Jr. and Thomasine Harvin on February 7th 1950. He represented District 64 (Clarendon and Williamsburg counties) for 29 years. He attended the Baptist College at Charleston (now Charleston Southern) and graduated from there in 1972 with degree in history and a minor in political science. He then went on to receive a Juris Doctorate from Augusta Law School in 1976. In 1982, he married Cathy Brand and they had one daughter, Mary Franklin.

Harvin’s political career began at Baptist College as president of the Young Democrats from 1970 until 1972. He also served as a member of the South Carolina Young Democrats Executive Committee and was Chairman of the Sixth Congressional District Young Democrats from 1975 to 1976.

He was first elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1976, just a few days before receiving his law degree. In December 2004, he said of his first election, “I never thought I could do it. Just look at the number of people who have retired, who have been defeated or who have died. Just look at all the changes that have gone through. When I got there, I had to pinch myself to make sure I was there.” In 15 elections, only once did he face opposition.

His 29 years of service made him the longest continuously serving state representative. During his time in office, he held many leadership positions. From 1979 until 1982 he was the Majority Whip and in 1982, he became Majority Leader. He served in that position until 1986. From that time on, he was the Majority Leader Emeritus. Also, he served as the vice chairman of the U.S. Constitution Bicentennial Committee, the Joint Agriculture Study Committee, and the National Conference of State Legislators Labor, Commerce, & Economic Development Committee. While a Representative, one of the issues that Harvin was dedicated to was education. He served on the Board of Visitors for Clemson University, the Medical University of South Carolina, and Charleston Southern. He also served on the House Subcommittee on Higher Education.

Harvin was also active in the State Democratic Party, serving as vice chairman from 1976 until 1978. He served as chairman of the Clarendon County Democratic Party from 1979 until his death. In 1984, he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention.

He received many honors during his tenure in office. In 1977, he was named “Freshman Legislator of the Year” by the University of South Carolina Young Democrats. He received the Distinguished Service Award from the SC Democratic Party in 1981. On July 11, 2005, Governor Mark Sanford presented Harvin with the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest civilian honor.

On October 11, 2005, Harvin died after a long illness at the age of 55. Upon his death, Congressman James Clyburn said, “Alex was a great friend to me, the people of Clarendon County and every South Carolinian. Alex never met a stranger or a person he wasn’t willing to help. His compassion for others and his abiding commitment to this state were the hallmarks of his public service. Alex’s presences always loomed larger that his stature and his loss has left a void that will be difficult to fill.” As he became increasingly ill, Harvin’s request was that Cathy take over his seat. In a special Democratic primary on January 3, 2006, Cathy won with 85% of the vote. She ran unopposed in the special election, and officially took over his seat on February 14, 2006.