SC Governors – John Carl West, 1971-1975

Biographical Overview

• Born: August 27, 1922 in Camden, South Carolina
  
• Died: 2004 on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
  
• Buried: Camden, South Carolina
  
• Religion: Presbyterian
  
• Political Party: Democrat
  

Education

• The Citadel - A.B. 1942
  
• University of South Carolina - LL.B. 1948, magna cum laude
  

Occupations

• Major, United States Army
• Lawyer
• Professor of Middle East Studies
  

Major Events and Accomplishments, 1971–1975

• April 28, 1971 – The South Carolina General Assembly ratified the Twenty-sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution
  
• October 1971 – The first integrated South Carolina State Fair opened in Columbia
  
• March 28, 1973 – The General Assembly ratified an amendment to the state constitution that allowed restaurants to serve mixed drinks
  
• June 25, 1973 – The US Supreme Court ruled that South Carolina's legislative districts would have to be reapportioned according to population in Stevenson v. West
  

Other Government Positions

• South Carolina Senate, 1954-1966
  
• Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina, 1966-1970
  
• US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, appointed 1977
  

Other Accomplishments, Honors, Distinctions

• West was awarded the United States Army Commendation Medal for his military service
  
• West returned to his law practice after leaving office - 1975
  

Web Resources

• Listing of records available at SC Archives and History Center
  

Election Results