History of Trey Gowdy in Timeline

Trey Gowdy is an American television news presenter, former politician, and former federal prosecutor. He served as the U.S. Representative for South Carolina's 4th congressional district from 2011 to 2019, representing the Upstate region, including Greenville and Spartanburg. Before entering politics, Gowdy worked as a prosecutor.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

August 22, 1964: Birth of Trey Gowdy

On August 22, 1964, Harold Watson "Trey" Gowdy III was born. He would later become a U.S. Representative for South Carolina.

Others born on this day/year

1982: Graduation from Spartanburg High School

In 1982, Trey Gowdy graduated from Spartanburg High School.

1986: Earned Bachelor of Arts Degree from Baylor University

In 1986, Trey Gowdy earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Baylor University, where he was a member of Kappa Omega Tau.

1989: Graduated Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law

In 1989, Trey Gowdy graduated with a Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law.

April 1994: Appointed as Assistant United States Attorney

In April 1994, Trey Gowdy was appointed as an assistant United States Attorney. He later received the Postal Inspector's Award for prosecuting J. Mark Allen.

February 2000: Left United States Attorney's Office to run for 7th Circuit solicitor

In February 2000, Trey Gowdy left the United States Attorney's Office to run for 7th Circuit solicitor. He defeated the incumbent in the Republican primary and ran unopposed in the general election.

2004: Re-elected as 7th Circuit Solicitor

In 2004, Trey Gowdy was re-elected as the 7th Circuit Solicitor, running unopposed.

2008: Re-elected as 7th Circuit Solicitor

In 2008, Trey Gowdy was re-elected as the 7th Circuit Solicitor, running unopposed.

2009: Announced challenge to incumbent Congressman Bob Inglis

In the summer of 2009, Trey Gowdy announced that he would challenge incumbent Republican U.S. Congressman Bob Inglis in the Republican primary for South Carolina's 4th congressional district.

June 2010: Ranked first in primary for South Carolina's 4th congressional district

In June 2010, Trey Gowdy ranked first in the Republican primary for South Carolina's 4th congressional district with 39% of the vote, but failed to reach the 50% majority threshold to win outright.

December 2010: Stated support for measures contingent on constitutional power

In December 2010, Trey Gowdy told Congressional Quarterly that he would only support a measure if its sponsor could demonstrate that the Constitution gave the government the power to act in a particular realm.

2010: Redistricting and re-election campaign

In 2010, during redistricting following the census, a proposed map saw portions of Gowdy's home county cut out of the district. Gowdy ran for re-election against Democrat Deb Morrow.

August 2011: Opposed debt limit bill and debt ceiling agreement

In August 2011, during the 2011 United States debt ceiling crisis, Trey Gowdy opposed Speaker John Boehner's debt limit bill and voted against the final debt ceiling agreement.

2011: Began service as U.S. Representative

In 2011, Trey Gowdy began serving as the U.S. representative for South Carolina's 4th congressional district.

2012: Secured a second term

In 2012, Trey Gowdy easily secured a second term, defeating Deb Morrow 65-34%. Roll Call rated his district as "Safe Republican".

2012: Received Defender of Economic Freedom award

In 2012, Trey Gowdy received the Defender of Economic Freedom award from the Club for Growth.

March 4, 2014: Introduced the ENFORCE the Law Act of 2014

On March 4, 2014, Trey Gowdy introduced the ENFORCE the Law Act of 2014 into the House, which would allow the House and Senate to sue the President for not enforcing a law.

2014: Re-elected to Congress

In 2014, Trey Gowdy was re-elected to Congress, defeating Libertarian Curtis E. McLaughlin with 85% of the vote.

July 2015: Named as a possible nominee for Attorney General

In July 2015, Donald Trump named Trey Gowdy as a possible nominee for United States Attorney General.

December 2015: Endorsed Marco Rubio for president

In late December 2015, Trey Gowdy endorsed Senator Marco Rubio for president.

March 2016: Rubio withdrew from the presidential race

In March 2016, Marco Rubio withdrew from the presidential race after losing his home state of Florida to Donald Trump.

November 2016: Retained seat in election

In the November 2016 election, Trey Gowdy faced Democrat Chris Fedalei and defeated him with 67% of the vote to retain his seat.

May 2017: Endorsed Trump for president

On May 20, 2017, Trey Gowdy endorsed Donald Trump for president, admitting he was a "Rubio guy" but would support the Republican nominee.

December 1, 2017: Settlement reached in discrimination and retaliation suit

On December 1, 2017, the Congressional Office of Compliance announced that while Trey Gowdy was chair of the House Select Committee on Benghazi, a former aide reached a settlement with Congress in a discrimination and retaliation suit.

January 31, 2018: Announced decision not to seek re-election

On January 31, 2018, Trey Gowdy announced that he would not seek re-election in 2018 and that he intended to pursue a legal career instead of politics.

May 2018: Challenged Trump's accusation about the FBI

In May 2018, Trey Gowdy challenged President Trump's accusation that the FBI had spied on his 2016 presidential campaign, leading to attacks from Trump allies.

June 2018: Speaker Paul Ryan supported Gowdy

In June 2018, Speaker Paul Ryan supported Trey Gowdy's assessment regarding the FBI and the Trump campaign.

June 2018: Urged Rosenstein to wrap up special counsel investigation

In a June 2018 hearing, Trey Gowdy urged Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to wrap up the special counsel investigation. Rosenstein rejected the suggestion.

July 2018: Questioned FBI agent Peter Strzok at congressional hearing

At a July 2018 congressional hearing, Trey Gowdy questioned FBI agent Peter Strzok about potential bias in favor of Hillary Clinton and against Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential election.

January 2019: Terri Gowdy working as first-grade teacher

As of January 2019, Trey Gowdy's wife, Terri Gowdy, is working as a first-grade teacher in the Spartanburg School District.

2019: Ended service as U.S. Representative

In 2019, Trey Gowdy ended his service as the U.S. representative for South Carolina's 4th congressional district.

2021: Served as interim host and became host of "Sunday Night in America"

In early 2021, Trey Gowdy served as an interim host of Fox News Primetime, and then was named host of Sunday Night in America with Trey Gowdy later that same year.

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