Matt Leber
American politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Matt W. Leber is an American politician and Member representing South Carolina State Senate District 41.[1]
Matt Leber | |
|---|---|
| |
| Member of the South Carolina Senate from the 41st district | |
| Assumed office November 11, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Sandy Senn |
| Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 116th district | |
| In office November 14, 2022 – November 11, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Chardale Murray |
| Succeeded by | James Teeple |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 5, 1973 |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | S. Michelle Leber |
| Alma mater | Mitchell Community College |
| Website | www |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
Early life and career
Prior to being elected to office, Leber, a combat veteran, served eight years as a paratrooper in the United States Army.[2]
Political career
South Carolina State House of Representatives
In the 2022 general election for South Carolina House of Representatives District 116,[3] Leber defeated Democratic incumbent Chardale Murray.[4] Representative Leber served as Chairman of the Freshman Caucus, on the House Judiciary Committee, and on the newly formed standing House Committee on Artificial Intelligence (AI).[5][2]
South Carolina State Senate
In September 2023, Leber announced his candidacy for South Carolina State Senate District 41.[6] In June 2024, he defeated incumbent Senator Sandy Senn in the Republican Primary to become the Nominee.[1]
Leber faced Democrat Rita Adkins in the general election.[7][8] On November 5, 2024, he defeated Adkins to become the next Senator.[9]
In August 2025, Leber's wife publicly accused him of engaging in an affair with a paid political consultant,[10] prompting South Carolina Democrats to call for his resignation.[11]
Endorsements
In April 2023, Leber was the first South Carolina lawmaker to endorse Vivek Ramaswamy in the 2024 presidential election.[12] Leber served as Ramaswamy's State Chair for South Carolina.[13] After Ramaswamy suspended his presidential campaign, Leber joined Ramaswamy in endorsing former President Donald Trump in the 2024 Republican Presidential Primary.[14]
Positions
Leber supports the Second Amendment and has an A rating from the NRA.[15] In 2024, he voted for Constitutional Carry, also known as permitless carry, speaking out against Senate amendments applying increased penalties on non permit holders, calling them unconstitutional and stating, "we cannot have a different class of citizens in America."[16]
Leber sponsored a bill criminalizing the trafficking of fentanyl and was instrumental in pushing it through the House Judiciary Committee.[17][18] Leber has repeatedly called for increased security along the US Mexico border to combat drug trafficking and has proposed measures to dissuade illegal aliens from coming to South Carolina.[19] During Leber's 2022 House race, State Representative Wendell Gilliard accused Leber of having participated in armed patrols on the US Mexico border and having "direct ties to the Three Percenters".[20]
Matt Leber describes himself as pro-life and voted for the Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act.[21][22]
Leber supports term limits.[23]