“Rep. Lee Hewitt in District 108 was assigned to the Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee. ‘That’s one of the most critical components of this district,’ he said. Hewitt said he’s requested to be placed on the Environmental Affairs Subcommittee.

‘The elections, the process and the ceremony all kicking off was exciting,’ he said. His deskmate will be Rep. Mike Ryhal of Carolina Forest. Sitting directly behind him will be Rep. Russell Fry, who represents the Horry district that borders District 108. ‘We will be able to sit there and talk about any Horry-Georgetown county issues,’ Hewitt said.”

Read more here.

“State Sen. Stephen Goldfinch and House Rep. Lee Hewitt will arrive in Columbia next week to be sworn into office and receive their committee assignments. Neither could have predicted just how interesting things would be as they start new jobs in the S.C. General Assembly.

President-elect Donald Trump has picked Gov. Nikki Haley as his nominee to become United Nations ambassador. Lt. Gov. Henry McMaster, one of the earliest Trump supporters, will ascend to the Governor’s Mansion with two years to prepare for election as the incumbent...

Hewitt, named to the Department of Health and Environmental Control Board by Haley, said he’s not worried about her lack of diplomatic experience. ‘Having gotten to know her over the past eight years — two years of running and six years of serving — I think Gov. Haley will do an excellent job,’ he said. ‘She’s a quick learner, very smart and capable of doing anything she puts her mind to.’

Hewitt said a new governor won’t change his approach in Columbia. ‘I have met with the lieutenant governor and talked with him and certainly feel comfortable with him,’ he said.”

Read more here.

It’s an honor and privilege to be elected to the state House.

My sincere thanks to the voters of District 108. This was a campaign that started almost a year ago to the day and has been a great experience.

I’m so grateful for all of my campaign supporters, who have provided the moral and financial support necessary to win.

I look forward to being sworn into office next week and serving the district. Again, thank you so much!

Lee Hewitt

A founder and co-chairman of the Murrells Inlet Boat Parade, Lee Hewitt presents the Belin United Methodist Church Boy Scout Troop 395 with a $20,000 check from the sale of the 2016 boat parade T-Shirts. This makes over $275,000 the Boy Scouts have raised over the years from the parade. Planning has already begun for the 2017 parade.

The filing period for office ended today at noon and I’m unopposed going into the November election.

I’m so thankful for all of the supporters who made this possible!

Just a little while ago I received a congratulatory call from Speaker of the House Jay Lucas.

This journey started last November when I announced my candidacy and has been a great experience. I’ve met so many outstanding people and am grateful for all who have stood with me.

The campaign is far from over. Work still needs to be done to ensure a good turnout in November. I’m going to continue reaching out to voters and listening to their concerns.

I ask for your continued support and prayers as the campaign moves forward.

Thank you in advance!

Lee Hewitt

MURRELLS INLET – Lee Hewitt, a Murrells Inlet realtor, SC Dept. of Health and Environmental Control board member and former Georgetown County Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals chairman, Wednesday officially filed for the S.C. House District 108 seat as a Republican.

“Since I announced my candidacy in November, I’ve been working hard to earn the support of voters and raise the funds necessary to run a winning campaign,” Lee Hewitt said. “I’ve been blessed with an outpouring of support and am glad to now be an official candidate.”

The filing period for candidates opened Wednesday and will close at noon on March 30th.

“I will fight for low taxes, better roads, the best education for our children, more jobs, and to protect our natural resources,” Hewitt said. “I share the conservative values of the district and will continue working hard to earn the support of Georgetown and Charleston County voters.”

Hewitt said his campaign has raised over $40,000 and has nearly $30,000 in the bank. “We’re on target to fund a very good campaign. I’m grateful for all of our campaign donors who have given very generously,” he said.

Campaign Chairman Dan Stacy said he’s impressed with the support Hewitt has received. “Lee has earned an impressive number of endorsements, including a significant number from public and GOP officials and community leaders,” Stacy said. “It’s easy to see why Lee is widely supported and is the right person to represent District 108. Lee is a respected and experienced community and state leader, who is thoughtful and possesses the skill sets to be an effective state Representative on day one in office.”

Click here to view endorsements.

Incumbent district Rep. Stephen Goldfinch, R-Murrells Inlet, is seeking the District 34 state Senate seat of retiring Sen. Ray Cleary.

Hewitt, 55, has lived in Murrells Inlet for nearly 40 years. He is owner of Garden City Realty and has served as President of the Coastal Carolina Association of Realtors and on the board of the state Association of Realtors. He is a Certified Residential Specialist, a Certified Professional Mediator, and a graduate of the Realtors Institute.

In 2014, Hewitt was appointed by Gov. Nikki Haley and confirmed by the state Senate as the 7th Congressional District Representative to the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control Board of Directors.

Hewitt has served as chairman of the Georgetown County Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals and on the Georgetown County Comprehensive Land Use Plan Committee, Grand Strand Area Transportation Committee, and the Southern Evacuation Lifeline Road Task Force.

Hewitt is a charter member of the Murrells Inlet Rotary Club, an AAU youth basketball coach, and a founder and current Co-Chairman of the Murrells Inlet 4th of July Boat Parade.

He is a 1982 graduate of Coastal Carolina University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Hewitt is an active member of Belin Memorial United Methodist Church. He and his wife, Whitney, have two sons, William, a senior at the University of South Carolina, and Coleman, a sophomore at Waccamaw High School.

Hewitt’s campaign website is HewittForHouse.com.

House District 108 includes all of coastal Georgetown County, except for the city of Georgetown, and the northern coastal portion of Charleston County to Mt. Pleasant.

MURRELLS INLET – Republican state House District 108 candidate Lee Hewitt Monday announced that he has been endorsed by Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Solicitor Jimmy Richardson.

“I am delighted to hear that Lee Hewitt is running for the S.C. House of Representatives and I endorse his efforts,” Jimmy Richardson said. “Lee is a tireless worker, a successful business owner, a civil servant and a friend to law enforcement. As Solicitor for Horry and Georgetown counties, I have called on Lee several times for help on various situations. I can tell you without fail, Lee has never been too busy to help the citizens of the South Strand.”

“I’m honored and thankful to have Jimmy’s support for my campaign,” Lee Hewitt said. “I have great respect and admiration for his efforts on behalf of the citizens of Georgetown and Horry counties in the pursuit of justice and enforcement of the law.”

Richardson’s endorsement follows other high profile Hewitt endorsements that were released last week from the following GOP and public officials:

SCDOT Commissioner Mike Wooten, Horry County Council Chairman Mark Lazarus, former S.C. Transportation Infrastructure Bank Chairman Don Leonard, Pawleys Island Town Councilman Mike Adams, Pawleys Island Mayor Bill Otis, Georgetown County School Board member Sarah Elliott, former state Rep. Linwood Altman, and former Georgetown County Republican Party Chairman Alan Walters.

Click here for a complete list of endorsements and quotes.

Last week, Hewitt also announced record high campaign donations for the initial quarter for the seat of over $28,000.00, raised over just a seven-week period since his candidacy announcement.

Hewitt, 55, has lived in Murrells Inlet for nearly 40 years. He is owner of Garden City Realty and has served as President of the Coastal Carolina Association of Realtors and on the board of the state Association of Realtors.

In 2014, Hewitt was appointed by Gov. Nikki Haley and confirmed by the state Senate as the 7th Congressional District Representative to the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control Board of Directors.

Hewitt has served as chairman of the Georgetown County Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals and on the Georgetown County Comprehensive Land Use Plan Committee, Grand Strand Area Transportation Committee, and the Southern Evacuation Lifeline Road Task Force.

Hewitt’s campaign website is www.HewittForHouse.com

In November, incumbent Rep. Stephen Goldfinch, R-Murrells Inlet, announced that he will seek the District 34 state Senate seat of retiring Sen. Ray Cleary, R-Murrells Inlet.

The filing period for the election is in March, with the primary election on June 14th.

House District 108 includes all of coastal Georgetown County, except for the city of Georgetown, and the northern coastal portion of Charleston County to Mt. Pleasant.

MURRELLS INLET – Republican state House District 108 candidate Lee Hewitt Monday reported record high campaign donations for the seat and announced more high profile endorsements.

According to the state Ethics Commission online database, Hewitt’s $28,480.00 donation total is the largest initial quarter total reported for a House District 108 race even though it was achieved in just seven weeks between announcing his candidacy on November 9th and the year-end.

“I’m so grateful for the tremendous outpouring of financial support for my candidacy in such a short period of time,” Lee Hewitt said. “I’m very pleased with our progress, but know that we will have to continue to work hard raising even more money and earning the support of more voters.”

The next highest initial quarter total was $15,260.00 raised by incumbent Rep. Stephen Goldfinch, R-Murrells Inlet, for the 2012 election.

“I’ve been involved in most of the District 108 elections over the last 10 years and have not seen anyone with the ability to raise money like Lee,” Hewitt campaign manager Tom Swatzel said. “He is well-known and respected in the community and connects well with people.”

Of Hewitt’s 82 donors, 72 are from the Grand Strand area.

Hewitt also announced endorsements from the following public and GOP officials to add to his growing total:

SCDOT Commissioner Mike Wooten, Horry County Council Chairman Mark Lazarus, former S.C. Transportation Infrastructure Bank Chairman Don Leonard, Pawleys Island Town Councilman Mike Adams, Pawleys Island Mayor Bill Otis, Georgetown County School Board member Sarah Elliott, former state Rep. Linwood Altman, and former Georgetown County Republican Party Chairman Alan Walters.

Click here for a complete list of endorsements and quotes.

In November, Goldfinch announced that he will seek the District 34 state Senate seat of retiring Sen. Ray Cleary, R-Murrells Inlet.

The filing period for the election is in March, with primary elections on June 14th.

Hewitt, 55, has lived in Murrells Inlet for nearly 40 years. He is owner of Garden City Realty and has served as President of the Coastal Carolina Association of Realtors and on the board of the state Association of Realtors. He is a Certified Residential Specialist, a Certified Professional Mediator, and a graduate of the Realtors Institute.

In 2014, Hewitt was appointed by Gov. Nikki Haley and confirmed by the state Senate as the 7th Congressional District Representative to the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control Board of Directors.

Hewitt has served as chairman of the Georgetown County Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals and on the Georgetown County Comprehensive Land Use Plan Committee, Grand Strand Area Transportation Committee, and the Southern Evacuation Lifeline Road Task Force.

Hewitt is a charter member of the Murrells Inlet Rotary Club, an AAU youth basketball coach, and a founder and current Co-Chairman of the Murrells Inlet 4th of July Boat Parade.

He is a 1982 graduate of Coastal Carolina University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Hewitt is an active member of Belin Memorial United Methodist Church. He and his wife, Whitney, have two sons, William, a senior at the University of South Carolina, and Coleman, a sophomore at Waccamaw High School.

Hewitt’s campaign website is www.hewittforhouse.com

House District 108 includes all of coastal Georgetown County, except for the city of Georgetown, and the northern coastal portion of Charleston County to Mt. Pleasant.

“Grand Strand beaches may get help with beach renourishment sooner than expected. Congress approved a federal budget package on Friday and money has been set aside to put more sand on the shore.

…’I’m excited that congress realized the importance of that,’ said Lee Hewitt, the broker in charge at Garden City Realty Group.

Hewitt says the group manages more than 450 area rental properties and, ‘without good beaches, without quality beaches our tourists would go elsewhere.’

Rain, wind, and floods have stripped away lots of sand, and Hewitt worries that less space on the shore could hurt tourism.

‘It goes back to jobs, and us being able to say we’ve got a good healthy beach. Without that they’re not going to want to come which then effects jobs,’ said Hewitt.

Congressman Rice added, ‘the Grand Strand is the number one tourism driver in the state of South Carolina. I think 40 -50% of tourism dollars come from the Grand Strand.’

All the more reason Hewitt says erosion needs to be dealt with sooner rather than later, ‘its vital that the renourishment be done as quickly as possible.’”

Click here for the video.

MURRELLS INLET – Republican state House candidate Lee Hewitt Tuesday applauded the team that developed the Murrells Inlet watershed plan for winning an Innovation Award from the National Association of Development Organizations.

“The Murrells Inlet watershed plan is a great example of a cooperative community effort to improve water quality to benefit shellfish harvesting and our other fisheries,” Lee Hewitt said. “I was privileged to be able to serve on the steering committee in the development of the plan with many others and saw the dedication and hard work that went into this important plan.”

Initiated in 2012 by Murrells Inlet 2020 and completed last year, the plan was funded by a S.C. Dept. of Health and Environmental Control grant administered by the Waccamaw Regional Council of Governments. Other participants in the plan were Georgetown and Horry counties, Coastal Carolina University, and numerous community volunteers.

The plan identifies sources of fecal coliform bacteria in the water and guides implementation of best management practices that can significantly reduce sources of pollution.

“The estuary is what attracts visitors to Murrells Inlet and supports our commercial and recreational fisheries. We need to do the best job we can in protecting this valuable natural resource,” Hewitt said. “The watershed plan is one of the most important tools we can have for that protection.”

NADO announced the award in August and the projects were recognized at an October conference in New Orleans.

The watershed plan was also considered for the S.C. Association of Counties’ Barrett Lawrimore Memorial Regional Cooperation Award.

Hewitt is a Murrells Inlet realtor, SC-DHEC board member and former Georgetown County Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals chairman.

He announced his candidacy for state House District 108 last month. His campaign website is www.hewittforhouse.com.