Kirkman Finlay III (born February 16, 1970) is an American politician. He is a former member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 75th District, serving since 2012. He is a member of the Republican Party.
Biography Kirkman Finlay III was born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina, on land that was once part of his ancestor Wade Hampton’s antebellum plantation. He grew up in a family with deep roots in the region’s history and public life. His parents are Kirkman Finlay Jr., who was mayor of Columbia, South Carolina from 1978 to 1986, and Rab Finlay.
Finlay attended Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, where he played multiple sports and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout by the age of 13. Seeking broader academic opportunities, he transferred to Groton School, a boarding school in New England. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in ancient history with a focus on Greek and Latin from the University of Virginia in 1992. Although he was accepted into a doctoral program, he chose instead to return home to South Carolina to pursue a career closer to his family and community.
In his early twenties, Finlay took responsibility for managing his family’s real estate holdings and financial affairs following his father’s illness and passing in 1993. He also ventured into the restaurant business, operating Rising High, a bakery and café, at various locations in the Columbia area from the early 1990s until 2007. Despite setbacks, he later found success with other ventures, including Doc’s Barbecue & Southern Buffet and Pawleys Front Porch.
Political career Finlay served on Columbia City Council from 2006 to 2010.
In 2010 Finlay ran for mayor of Columbia, losing to Stephen K. Benjamin.
2012 South Carolina House race
In 2012 Finlay ran for a South Carolina House seat vacated by Jim Harrison, defeating lawyer and Democratic candidate Joe McCulloch in a close race.
2022 South Carolina House race
In the 2022 general election Finlay was defeated by Democrat Heather Bauer.
2024 South Carolina House race
In March 2024, Finlay filed to challenge Bauer for South Carolina House District 75. He received the endorsement of House Speaker Murrell Smith Jr. Finlay won the June Republican Primary and was defeated by Bauer in the November general election.
Electoral history Date Election Candidate Party Votes % South Carolina House of Representatives, 75th district Nov 6, 2012 General Kirkman Finlay III Republican 7,219 51.05 Joseph M. McCulloch Jr. Democratic 6,911 48.87 Write Ins 12 0.08 James H. Harrison did not seek reelection; seat stayed Republican Nov 4, 2014 General Kirkman Finlay III Republican 5,833 53.52 Joseph M. McCulloch Jr. Democratic 5,057 46.40 Write Ins 9 0.08 Nov 8, 2016 General Kirkman Finlay III Republican 9,072 59.41 Tyler S. Gregg Democratic 6,175 40.44 Write Ins 22 0.14 Nov 6, 2018 General Kirkman Finlay III Republican 7,842 57.48 John V. Crangle Democratic/American 5,780 42.37 Write Ins 20 0.15 Nov 3, 2020 General Kirkman Finlay III Republican 8,759 50.69 J. Rhodes Bailey Democratic 8,502 49.20 Write Ins 20 0.12 Nov 8, 2022 General Heather Bauer Democratic 7,505 50.74 Kirkman Finlay III Republican 7,270 49.15 Write Ins 17 0.11
References
External links
Kirkman Finlay House Representative for District 75