Ken Ard

James Kenneth Ard (born December 18, 1963) is an American politician who served as the 88th lieutenant governor of South Carolina from January 12, 2011 to March 9, 2012.

Early life and education Ard was born in Pamplico, South Carolina. The son of Jimmy and Margie Ard, he graduated from Hannah Pamplico High School. He attended Wofford College, but did not earn a degree.

Career He began working for the family business, Double A Body Builders, while still in high school. The company designs, manufactures and installs custom-built truck bodies. Ard sold his interest in the company to his brother in 2008, in order to more fully dedicate his time to public service.

Ard was elected to the Florence County Council in 2004. He was elected chairman of the Florence County Republican Party in 2009.

Lieutenant governor of South Carolina South Carolina's previous lieutenant governor, Andre Bauer, ran for governor in 2010, leaving an open race for lieutenant governor. Ard finished first against three other candidates in the Republican primary and ultimately emerged victorious as the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor.

In the general election, Ard faced Democrat Ashley Cooper. Ard won the election, with 55% to Cooper's 45%, and was sworn in as the 88th Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina on January 12, 2011.

As Lieutenant Governor, he served as President of the South Carolina Senate and oversaw South Carolina's Office on Aging.

Campaign finance conviction and resignation from office Ard was a rising star within the South Carolina Republican Party before ethics investigations caused his political career to collapse. In 2012, the State Ethics Commission charged him with 69 counts of using campaign money for personal use and 23 counts of failing to disclose campaign expenses during the 2010 election for lieutenant governor. The Post & Courier described Ard as "a libertarian-leaning conservative with a mix of other strains of thought who's not afraid to say whatever comes to his mind" and that his show gained local popularity.

Personal life Ken is married to his wife, Tammy. They have three children. They are members of Southside Baptist Church in Florence, South Carolina.