Trey Gowdy is married to Terri Dillard Gowdy, and they have two children: Watson and Abigail. Terri is a teacher’s aide in Spartanburg School District 7. Watson is a junior at Spartanburg High School, and Abigail is a 7th grader at McCracken Junior High School. Abigail is involved in theatre, music, swimming and everything involving animals. Watson is an avid golfer and has played for Spartanburg High School on either the Varsity or Jr. Varsity teams since the 7th grade. The Gowdys have two dogs: “Judge” and “Jury”.
Trey was born in Greenville, South Carolina in 1964. His parents, Dr. Hal and Novalene Gowdy, were originally from Lake City, South Carolina in the Pee Dee region before moving to the Upstate where Dr. Gowdy was a pediatrician in Spartanburg for more than 25 years. Trey has three sisters, 4 nieces, and 4 nephews.
Trey graduated from Spartanburg High School in 1982, Baylor University in 1986 with a degree in History, and the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1989 where he was a member of the scholastic honor society “Order of the Wig and Robe”.
Following law school, he clerked for the late John P. Gardner on the South Carolina Court of Appeals and United States District Court Judge G. Ross Anderson, Jr. in Anderson, SC. He then joined the law firm of Nelson, Mullins, Riley, and Scarborough in the Greenville Office before becoming a federal prosecutor in April of 1994.
For 6 years as a federal prosecutor in Greenville, Trey prosecuted the full range of federal crimes including narcotics trafficking rings, bank robberies, child pornography cases, and the murder of a federal witness. He was awarded the Postal Inspector’s Award for the successful prosecution of J. Mark Allen, one of “America’s Most Wanted” suspects. He also received the highest performance rating a federal prosecutor can receive – two years in a row.
In February of 2000, he left the United States Attorney’s Office to run for 7th Circuit Solicitor. He defeated the incumbent Solicitor in the Republican primary and was elected in November 2000 without opposition. He has been re-elected twice – in 2004 and 2008 – without opposition. Since becoming Solicitor, he has led an office of 25 attorneys and 65 total employees. He started a Violence Against Women Task Force, a Worthless Check Program, enhanced and expanded Drug Court, and started a Drug Mother Protocol designed to assist expectant mothers break the cycle of addiction.
He has been recognized statewide for his commitment to victim’s rights, drunken driving enforcement, and nationally for excellence in death penalty prosecutions. He has appeared on “Forensic Files” twice, Court TV, Dateline and ETV.
Working with Governor Sanford, MADD, and law enforcement to give South Carolina a stronger, more effective drunk driving law.
Education is one of the best ways to prevent crime. For this reason, we partnered with the school districts in Spartanburg County to establish “Truancy Court” which is designed to keep parents involved and engaged and children in school, ready to learn, and on time to graduate.
We partnered with U.S. Attorney Walt Wilkins, federal, state and local law enforcement to take weapons out of the hands of criminals before they commit violent crimes in a program called “Summer of Silence”.
Our three month partnership with law enforcement yields multiple arrests, lengthy sentences, and scores of weapons off the street.
Recognizing law enforcement’s efforts to make our roadways safer through DUI enforcement.
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All right! I’m on board. Trey Gowdy has my vote and I VOTE. I was a campaign volunteer for Bob Inglis in ‘92, but Bob has demonstrated why his earlier advocacy for term limits was a good idea. Also, citing “Climategate” in debates will be effective against Inglis when the global warming discussion arises. I’m studying the Republican primary candidates and I’ve decided for Nikki Haley for governor, Tim Scott for lieutenant governor, and Trey Gowdy for Fourth District US House. I’m just concerned that as the state Repubican Party establishment greased the skids for the re-coronation of Sen. Lindsey Graham in ‘08 that it might do the same in Inglis’ behalf this year.
I would like to know your position on the Tea Party movement. Do you support the values of this group? We certainly don’t need another Bob Inglis Rino. I need to know that your positions are definately conservative especially fiscally. Coming from a medical family you probably have a good handle on the health care issues. Looking forward to hearing more from you.
I am so fed up with congress that I think we should replace the office with the state Governors. The congress reeks of corruption. As a former prosecutor, how is Trey going to deal with the depravity in DC?
Trey, is a good man, the people in this area are very lucky to have a man like him here,. he has always had my vote, I just wish he would run for president we need a man like him there now, I feel he could turn this country around in one year after taking office
In your commercial you state you will fight the Democrats on global warming….I didn’t know that a political party was causing global warming.
Are you saying you are a science denier. If so please stop using things like TV, radio and the internet for your campaigning, for these are the products of science. You should just go door to door for your campaigning.
where do you stand on gun control?
i dont want to vote for ingles
i dont want to vote for ingles
im new to cmputering……please forgive any goofups
Sure wish I could vote in your district. I know Trey Gowdy’s work as solicitor and I am continually impressed. He has right ideas and the experience necessary to make things happen.
Mr. Gowdy
Good Luck in your march to congress. A Comrad of our fair Dixie! I live in Seneca South Carolina, I am a seasoned Activists to propel fair,just, diverse, and inclusive rights for me and my fellow bretheren whom are gay. I received my Diversity and Inclusion training abroad starting at 20 years old U.S. Armed services for 8 and half years and 15 years being groomed by Intellectual community men whom I surrounded myself with to take on this task. Freedom for all Ouote: Bayard Rustin/Civil Rights Activist/Deceased. His life story touches me more than Martin Luther King. Empathy, He and I Ties That Bind. Tillman-Go Tigers! I’m 42….
Good Luck!
Comrad, Paul
Sir. Thank you for your decision not to persue charges against the
restaurant workers that shot the robbers! You have my vote. Your
common sense is of great value to the people of South Carolina.
What about Illegal Immigration. We want it stopped. Inglis can’t figure what he wants, sort of like the bailout. He trusted the buffoons that could not figure it out over 90% of his constituents. would you vote against us as he did and listen to liars? We don’t need any more federalists, we need someone who will stand for Americans NO MATTER WHAT!
Trey Gowdy has done a marvelous job in the upstate of South Carolina and has helped to make others feel more at ease with his record of prosecuting. He is DEFINITELY needed to speak for the people. We support you all the way Trey. Best of luck in this election. We can make it happen and make it a better place for our children and youth!
I have 2 very serious questions for you and I KNOW that you are a man of integrity and will answer honestly as I really do trust your word. First, Bob Inglis said something like “I voted for the stimulus for President Bush but voted against it for President Obama”. Would you be another upsetting member of Congress as the Democrats say yes and the Republicans say no, so nothing gets done for any of us who are paying these members of Congress or would you be strong and work with Democrats and be strong in your values to get real things done for your SC District? Next, I have a serious health condition with no cure but I do get treatment. I got sick and lost my job in 2006 due to being ill for longer than the 12 weeks of FMLA and even went beyond the 18 months of Cobra and lost my insurance all together. My parents who are 59 years old took $75,000 out of their 401K to pay for 3 surgeries and my medication to save my life of their adult son. If you became a Congressman, would you get rid of the bad parts of the Healthcare bill but leave good parts alone like making insurance companies take on patients with pre-existing conditions and/or extending Cobra for patients who are ill longer than the 18 month limit as it is right now? I am seriously considering voting for you as I am upset with Bob Inglis, but I need the answer to these questions first. Go Gowdy!
i jus want to say that i think ur a excellent prosecutor esp in the torres case..i was in the court room everyday with chuck emery..jus wanted to say u did a great job..and good luck
I voted for Trey, I had voted for Bob in the past. Bob always votes party line on important issues. Most of us in the Upstate did not want CAFTA, Bob promised to oppose CAFTA, He did not listen to most of the people he represents, CAFTA was passed by 1 vote (BOBs Vote) We lost jobs because of his broken promise.
I am so glad that we have the opportunity to get rid of “Congressman Clueless” and get a man of stature in Trey Gowdy. With new faces like Trey’s, Nikki Haley, Bill Conner, Allan Wilson, and Curtis Loftis, I feel that we can start moving SC forward, and get rid of the Good Old Boy image. Watch out Lindsay Graham, because you are next!
As soon as I heard Trey Gowdy was running, I knew I was voting for him! Inglis has become a Washington politician. I’m glad we’ve got a good shot at getting fresh air into Washington. I can hardly wait to vote again in the run offs in two weeks. And, yes, thank you for this website; it is great to know something about who I’m going to vote for (again).
I voted for Inglis in the past, the belt way outsider. But he has become the same type of politician he originally ran against. Trey I did not vote for you (or Bob) in the primaries but you have my vote now.