David O'Neal

David O'Neal
Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 66th district
Incumbent
Assumed office November 2022
Preceded by	Gilda Cobb-Hunter
Succeeded by	Jackie Terribile
Personal details
Political party	Republican

This article is about the South Carolina state legislator. For the lieutenant governor of Illinois, see Dave O'Neal. For the poet, see David O'Neil.

David L. O'Neal (born 17 September 1957) is an American politician and retired military officer.

Early life, education and career

O'Neal was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, to parents Clarence and Marie Mariani O'Neal on 17 September 1957. He completed his first bachelor's degree from Texas Christian University in 1982. He returned to school after retiring from the military, earning a second bachelor's degree in 2012 and his master's degree in 2013, both from Winthrop University.[1]

O'Neal served in the United States Army, retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel.[2]

Political career

In the 2000s, O'Neal moved to Tega Cay, South Carolina[3] where he was elected to the city council in 2015,[4] and mayor in 2017.[5] As he held municipal political office, O'Neal also served as district director for U. S. Representative Ralph Norman.[6]

In 2022, O'Neal filed for South Carolina House District 66, an open seat due to redistricting. He won election to the South Carolina House of Representatives as a Republican Party candidate, defeating Democratic Party nominee Carla Litrenta.[3][7][8]

O'Neal, a member of the South Carolina Freedom Caucus, did not seek re-election in 2024.[9]

References

1. "Representative David L. O'Neal". South Carolina House of Representatives. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
2. "Vietnam veteran will lead Tega Cay SC July 4 parade". Rock Hill Herald. 28 July 2017. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
3. Rickabaugh, Greg (10 October 2022). "Baxter Attorney Runs Against Ex-Tega Cay Mayor in New State District 66 Race". Fort Mill Sun.
4. "Tega Cay voters unseat 2 City Council incumbents". Rock Hill Herald. 3 November 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
5. Marks, John (8 November 2017). "O'Neal is celebrating on election night, as Tega Cay picks its next mayor". Rock Hill Herald. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
6. Kuzara, Matt (30 March 2018). "Congressman makes first visit to U.S. Army Central Headquarters". United States Army Central. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
7. "Former Mayor Announcing Run For New District 66 Seat". CN2. 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
8. "David O'Neal takes New Seat SC House District 66". CN2. 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
9. Kenmore, Abraham (2024-07-26). "SC's uber-conservative GOP caucus picks new leaders • SC Daily Gazette". SC Daily Gazette. Retrieved 2024-12-10.