As a lifelong resident of Edgefield, deciding to run for the South Carolina State Senate was a rather easy and selfless decision for Greg Anderson. "I love our community," says Greg, "I don't want our part of the state being neglected in Columbia. I know how hard the people of this community work and they deserve someone fighting to help them."
Greg's journey to the South Carolina State Senate has taken him many places, but never very far from the people of the 25th District. Born on September 18th, 1955 to a public school teacher mother and Edgefield lawyer father, Greg learned early on the value of a strong work ethic. "I remember how fun it was growing up in Edgefield. It was a community atmosphere where families came together," Greg continues, "but I always saw how hard my parents worked. We hardly ever took vacations because my father always had responsibilities with his law practice." The work ethic instilled in their four sons by Carmen Wilkerson Anderson and Joseph Fletcher Anderson certainly paid dividends, including for Greg. The product of an Edgefield County public education, he graduated in 1973 from Strom Thurmond High School, went on to graduate from Clemson University in 1977, and then from the University of South Carolina Law School in 1980.
"The people here are hard-working, down to earth, and honest. You can trust the people. Everyone seems to have a care and concern for their fellow citizens." With a law degree from the University of South Carolina Law School, Greg Anderson returned home in 1980 to Edgefield to begin a career that would establish him as an area leader for the communities that comprised the 25th District. From 1980 to 1994, he would maintain a law practice in the firm of Anderson & Anderson, but would also spend seven years from 1987 to 1994 prosecuting criminal cases as an Assistant Solicitor in the 11th Judicial Circuit that covered Saluda, Edgefield, McCormick, and Lexington Counties.
Greg's legal background gave him the opportunity to serve as the school board attorney for Edgefield County, a position that he has held of nearly the past two decades. The experience as school board attorney has prepped Greg in being able to offer solutions as the 25th District's next State Senator. "I saw firsthand how the laws passed in Columbia did not work for the rural area that make up our district," says Greg, referring to his time as the Edgefield County School Board attorney, "The state wanted us to house all buses at one central location. It was inconvenient and cost many bus drivers their jobs." Experiences like this have taught Greg that his job in the South Carolina State Senate is not one of politics, but rather people. "The problems that we face in Midland Valley and McCormick, in Edgefield and Saluda; they are not party line problems. Our issues are not partisan, but they are geographic. I am going to Columbia to represent the 25th District, not a political party or a political agenda."
While Greg's experiences in the courtroom played a strong role in paving his path to the South Carolina State Senate, his diversity in other areas also have prepared him for the challenges that face the people of the 25th District. In 1994, Greg took on the duel role of Executive Vice-President and General Counsel for Martin Color-Fi, Inc., a publicly traded company that called Edgefield home. As a business leader, Greg recognized that the hard-working people of the 25th District, along with its attractive location, made the district a sleeping giant for economic development. As Senator, Greg is committed to realizing that vision by showing business why they need to look at making the 25th District a part of their plans. "I live here and I work here," continues Greg, "I am ready to drive the Governor around in my pickup truck and show him how the people here work and why businesses and industries need to come here." Greg also served as the Chairman of the Edgefield County Hospital Board of Directors, giving him the experience and knowledge to deal with the unique health care problems of the 25th District.
In 2004, Greg returned to a private law practice in Edgefield, but his service to community continued. Among his many clients, Greg has had the opportunity to represent the towns of Edgefield, Johnston, and Trenton, the Edgefield County Hospital, the Edgefield County Water and Sewer Authority, and the Edgefield County Senior Citizens Council. Greg is married to Patricia Yonce Anderson and is the father of two daughters, Amanda Anderson Mellard and Julie Katherine Anderson. Greg and Patricia are members of Edgefield United Methodist Church.
Greg's résumé shows his devotion to the people in the community where he was born. However, as a South Carolina State Senator, what impression does Greg want people to take away from his service as Senator? For that answer, one only needs to look back to the summer of 1974, when Greg Anderson, the Clemson University rising sophomore, had the chance to serve as a page for United States Senator and Edgefield native, Strom Thurmond. "I learned from Senator Thurmond that being a politician meant that you served the people," Greg says, reflecting on his time working for the South Carolina legend, "I want to be known for constituent service. I am going to be accessible to the people."