Roger K. Kirby

For the retired prostate surgeon, see Roger Kirby. For the wrestler, see Roger Kirby (wrestler).

Roger K. Kirby (born April 20, 1960) is an American politician. He is the member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 101st District, serving in the House since 2015.^[1] Kirby is a member of the Democratic Party.^[2] He is Assistant Minority Leader of the House.^[3] Kirby serves on the Labor, Commerce and Industry as well as the Legislative Oversight Committee.^[4]

Roger K. Kirby
Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 101st district
Incumbent
Assumed office 2022
Preceded by	Cezar McKnight
Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 61st district 2015-2022
Preceded by	Lester P. Branham Jr.
Succeeded by	Carla Schuessler
Personal details
Born	(1960-04-20) April 20, 1960 (age 65) Florence County, South Carolina, United States
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	Furman University

SC House District 61 was held by Kirby since 2015, but after redistricting created a new geographic District, Kirby defeated Democratic incumbent Cesar McKnight^[5] in the June 2022 Primary and went on to win SC House District 101 unopposed.^[6][7]

Kirby joined House members Todd Rutherford and Deon Tedder in forming the Freedom Caucus of South Carolina, in contrast to the conservative SC Freedom Caucus.^[8]

Political career

Kirby is a former member of the South Carolina State House's Rules Committee, and served as a member on the Subcommittee on Wildlife, the Subcommittee on Health and Healthcare Industries, and the Regulations and Administrative Procedures Committee. He was Secretary of the Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee.^[9]

In 2025, Kirby was elected First Vice Chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party.^[10]

Electoral history

2014 SC House of Representatives

Kirby was the only Democrat to run in 2014, so there was no Democratic primary.

South Carolina House of Representatives District 61 General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Roger K. Kirby	5,570	62.9
	Republican	Raleigh Ward, Jr.	3,279	37.1
Total votes			8,849	100.0
	Democratic hold

2016 SC House of Representatives

Kirby was the only Democrat to run in 2016, so there was no Democratic primary.

South Carolina House of Representatives District 61 General Election, 2016

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Roger K. Kirby (incumbent)	10,086	100.0
Total votes			10,086	100.0
	Democratic hold

2018 SC House of Representatives

Kirby was the only Democrat to run in 2018, so there was no Democratic primary.

South Carolina House of Representatives District 61 General Election, 2018

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Roger K. Kirby (incumbent)	7,246	98.5
	Write-in		107	1.5
Total votes			7,353	100.0
	Democratic hold

Honors and recognitions

In January 2024, Kirby gave the Democratic response to the State of the State address.^[11][12]

Personal life

Kirby was born in Florence County and currently resides in Lake City. He attended Furman University, graduating in 1982. He is married to Pam Horton Kirby, with whom he has three children: Amy Lee, Mary Katherine, and Elizabeth Ann.^[1] He is a realtor and appraiser, and he served as President of the Pee Dee Realtor Association in 2010.^[1]