Bob Peeler is the first Republican elected to the Office of Lieutenant Governor since Reconstruction and one of only a few non-legislators to hold the office in state history.

Peeler was born in Gaffney where he grew up working side by side with his brothers and his dad in the family milk business off Leadmine Road. It was here, working in the converted white frame house he grew up in, that Peeler developed the common sense, down-to-earth approach that he is widely recognized for bringing to state government.

A successful businessman, Peeler helped transform Peeler's Milk into one of the leading independent milk processing companies in the Southeast and currently serves as President of Peeler Brothers Dairy Cattle Company. Peeler is a former President of the South Carolina Dairy Association.

A dedicated family man, Peeler is married to the former Bett Carter of Sumter and the proud father of daughter Caroline 22 and son Robert, Jr., 14. When Peeler isn't working in the State House or traveling the state in his familiar red pickup truck, he's most likely spending time with his family in Lexington.

Since taking office in 1995, Peeler has set clear conservative priorities and worked to make them happen. His first official action eliminated the Lieutenant Governor's security detail, personal driver, and state vehicle while transferring valuable law enforcement officers back to our streets to fight crime. All told, Peeler has saved taxpayers well over a million dollars through cuts and reforms in his own office.

As Lt. Governor, Peeler has been a steady advocate for tax relief. As presiding officer of the Senate, Peeler blocked over $200 million dollars in backdoor tax increases with his rulings. Peeler also led the fight for car tax relief and delivered a referendum that voters overwhelmingly approved to cut car taxes by nearly half. As a result, the South Carolina Association of Taxpayers awarded Peeler, the Friend of the Taxpayer award in 1996, 1999, and 2000.

A product of the public schools and the son of an elementary school principal, Peeler has a long-standing commitment to education. He served both as Chairman of the Cherokee County School Board and as Chairman of the State Board of Education. As the state's second highest official, Peeler has played key roles in a number of education initiatives including charter school creation, higher teacher pay, and statewide full-day kindergarten implementation, a cause which Peeler championed throughout the state.

As a successful businessman, Peeler believes government should only do a few things, but do them well. That's why Peeler led the fight to pass an independent performance audit of state government. Peeler's performance audits spotlighted waste and duplication leading to wholesale changes and reforms throughout state government. To date, the performance audit has reported tens of millions in taxpayer savings.

The South Carolina Federation of Older Americans named Peeler Legislator of the Year in 1997 for his commitment to seniors. The South Carolina Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving named him Highway Safety Hero for Year 2000 for his work promoting stronger drunk driving legislation. And in 1998, Peeler received the Ron Brown Export Enhancement Award from the National Small Business Exporters Association.

Peeler has served his local community as President of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the Cherokee County Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors. During the 2000 Presidential Primary, Peeler served as one of George W. Bush's original Co-Chairmen. He is also a member of the Gaffney Rotary Club, Lexington Rotary Club, Sons of Confederate Veterans, the Shriners, the Masons and a life member of Sertoma International.

Viewed as a political long shot by the experts, Peeler was elected in 1994 after winning a three-way Republican Primary and tough General Election against a former Congresswoman. In 1998, Peeler was again underestimated by the political establishment and won reelection handily against formidable opposition.

The son of the late Smith Peeler and Sally Bratton Peeler, Bob is a 1970 graduate of Gaffney High School. He received a B.A. degree from Limestone College and a B.S. degree from Clemson University. Bob, Bett and the children reside in Lexington and are members of Washington Street Methodist Church in Columbia. Robert attends a public middle school in Lexington and, after receiving a degree from Clemson, Caroline is enrolled in USC Law School.

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