Longtime Aiken Senator Announces Retirement
For the second time in as many days, a long time state lawmaker has decided not to seek reelection.
Senator Greg Ryberg of Aiken, a trusted stalwart in Republican circles across the state, announced he will not run for another term when his current one expires.
“He’s just ready to move on,” a source told CRESCENT this morning.
While some say that Ryberg has a confrontational personality, others say it’s him simply standing up for his convictions.
Senator Kevin Bryant of Anderson told The Aiken Standard newspaper that “He (Ryberg) stands up for principle even if he’s alone. He’s a straight shooter. Ever since I’ve known him, he has been the perfect example of the man I have chosen to follow.”
CRESCENT editor Taft Matney credits Ryberg with the best piece of advice he ever received about working at the Statehouse.
“He told me, ‘Taft, nothing good ever happens in Columbia after 5. Go home,’” Matney said. “I’ve lived by that and will miss him checking up on me, grabbing me by the arm, and asking, ‘Are you still doing what I told you?’”
Elected to the South Carolina Senate in 1992, the 1957 Eau Claire, Wisconsin Marble Champion serves as the chairman of the Senate Labor Commerce and Industry Committee. He and his wife Betty have three children (including Greenville, SC City Councilwoman Amy Ryberg Doyle) and seven grandchildren.
Once known for a trademark handlebar mustache (that he shaved in 2002 after having it for 32 years), Ryberg says that after 20 years in public service, he’s looking forward to spending more time with his family.
STATEMENT FROM SENATOR GREG RYBERG
I have given a great deal of reflection to my service to South Carolina. It has been an honor to serve in the State Senate. I decided to serve because I had been in business all my life and wanted to reflect that business consideration on issues that involve governing. I served while I ran our business and I continued to serve because I saw that it was imperative that financial and business concerns were weighed when making decisions that impact the well being of our citizens. I felt that in considering solutions it was imperative to look “up river” to see where the problems began.
Funding of education and infrastructure, ESC reform, retirement system investments, restructuring of state government – all are aided by a firm grasp of the financial impact on our state’s future.
Betty and I were both raised by parents who felt a moral obligation to share and serve. We have a fine family. We are in excellent health. We have been blessed beyond measure. Betty and I met at Marquette University whose motto is: Be the Difference. We have tried to be that difference in our community, in our state. We discuss this with our children and now our grandchildren. I feel that my faith gave me compassion for the needs of the people and that my mind helped guide me through the financial and business course of action. I know that the compassion I felt and the business and financial decisions I made with integrity were done in hopes of better, more constructive and abundant lives for all our citizens.
There is much to be said in realizing that an elected official is a servant of the people. In serving in the Senate I never took objections or disagreements very personally because I was serving the people in my district and in the entire state. That helped retain much of my sanity even during heated debates.
It is a difficult decision to serve and one that I undertook with seriousness. A legislature benefits from having individuals who understand the ramifications of each vote. The future lives of the people of this state are the recipients of those decisions and votes. While I served I published my phone number and now my cell phone number. I never minded when people approached me in public. That is why I was there. It is an honor to have received letters, phone calls, emails from concerned teachers, bankers, principals, physicians, realtors, business people – all taxpayers – who stay connected to the process. I applaud those individuals. You made my service meaningful.
I have always had a yearning for new ideas in business. Some of my keenest days were ones spent with the business leaders of this state. Tours of manufacturing plants, discussions with business leaders, listening to presentations have been an absolute upside to my service. It is my hope to stay connected to the business community and continue to be involved. And I will continue to serve our citizens until the November election.
I thought and discussed this decision to not seek re-election with Betty and our children and their spouses. When I ran for office I had tremendous support of our family and friends. Our once young family now live meaningful adult lives. Military service, medical school, teaching, parenting, volunteer service, city council– they are serving as well. We treasure that. The relationships of friends that Betty and I have made have given our lives delight. Those we cherish. We thank you.
I will always be grateful for my supporters, my colleagues and especially my research director Danny Varat whose loyalty, knowledge, intellect, and humor is unsurpassed.
Finally, we have a quote in our home that ends with the line: ”Rich is who you have beside you”…well, having Betty beside me in all this has been pretty darn great.
