Alex Harvin served in the South Carolina House of Representatives (Clarendon and Williamsburg Counties) from 1977 to 2005. He was Majority Whip, 1979 to 1982, and Majority Leader, 1982 to 1986. Harvin was active in party politics, serving as vice chairman of the SC Democratic Party from 1976 to 1978 and chairman of the Clarendon County Democratic Party from 1979 until his death. In 1984, he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention.