South Carolina Chamber of Commerce announces 2025 legislative award winners
September 16, 2025
The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce (SC Chamber) announced the recipients of its annual Legislator of the Year awards for their work during the 2025 legislative session and their efforts to improve South Carolina’s business climate. This year’s awards recipients are:
2025 House Legislator of the Year: Representative Brandon Newton (District 45)
Representative Brandon Newton is our 2025 House Legislator of the Year in recognition of his longstanding support for a pro-business agenda and his leadership in advancing historic income tax reform in the House of Representatives in 2025.
“Representative Newton played an integral role in ushering historic income tax reform through the House of Representatives this past legislative session,” said SC Chamber President and CEO Mike Brenan. “He consistently and tirelessly works to create an environment in which employers can create more jobs and South Carolinians can thrive. We are grateful for his unwavering support for important policies like tax reform, economic and rural development, workforce development, education, and so much more. We are proud to recognize him as our 2025 House Legislator of the Year and look forward to continuing to work with him on other critical issues in 2026 and beyond.”
“I am honored to receive the Legislator of the Year award from the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce,” said Representative Brandon Newton. “As the son of a small business owner who took a risk and started a business, I’m proud to stand up in the State House for people like her. Supporting our business community is vital to the prosperity and future of our state.”
2025 Senate Legislator of the Year: Senator Shane Massey (District 25)
Senator Shane Massey is our 2025 Senate Legislator of the Year in recognition of his critical leadership in advancing the first meaningful reforms to South Carolina’s tort laws in decades.
“Senator Massey’s leadership is one of the main reasons that businesses and individuals across our great state will be the beneficiaries of a more balanced and fairer civil justice system for years to come,” said Brenan. “Despite receiving numerous personal attacks, Senator Massey never wavered in his commitment to making South Carolina a better state to do business. This award is just one way we can show him our sincere gratitude, and we are proud to do so.”
“It is an honor to receive the Chamber’s Legislator of the Year award,” said Senator Shane Massey. “The Senate delivered major, pro-business victories this year, and I am committed to building on the work that’s been done to make South Carolina even more business-friendly in the decades to come.”
To be considered for the Legislator of the Year Award, a legislator must meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Maintain a strong pro-business voting record.
- Lead on SC Chamber-supported, pro-business legislation.
- Consistently support business community priorities.
- Is a rising star on business community issues.
- Develop a strong partnership with the SC Chamber.
- Willing to work “across the aisle” to pass pro-business legislation.
Representative Newton and Senator Massey will be recognized during the SC Chamber’s 46th Annual Summit, presented by Ogletree Deakins, October 28th-30th at the Wild Dunes Resort in Isle of Palms, South Carolina.
About SC Chamber
The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce is the State’s leading voice for business with a vision to make South Carolina’s economy the most vibrant in the United States, creating opportunity and prosperity for all. We promote free enterprise; define and advocate for a pro-business agenda; convene business leaders, and partner with key allies. Learn more at http://www.scchamber.net.
