Warren Tompkins

Warren has had an enduring impact on South Carolina politics for nearly two decades. Highly regarded as a shrewd political strategist, his advice has been sought throughout the Southeast in local, state and national races. He has over thirty years experience in providing strategic advice to political candidates, government officials, and private businesses.

Warren’s first campaign was a 1974 magistrate’s race, but it was his volunteer work for Strom Thurmond’s 1978 Senate campaign that made people take notice. His tireless efforts on the campaign won him a position as Senator Thurmond’s Statewide Coordinator of Special Events. His advice was so valued by the Reagan/Bush Campaign during the first Republican primary in South Carolina in 1980, that he was named Executive Director for the South Carolina Reagan/Bush Campaign for the general election. He later served in the same capacity for the 1984 reelection effort and as a strategist for the 1988 Bush Presidential campaign. A seasoned veteran by the age of 29, Warren was appointed Executive Director of the South Carolina Republican Party in 1981.

In 1986, Congressman Carroll Campbell turned to Mr. Tompkins to help him become South Carolina’s second Republican governor. As Governor Campbell’s Chief of Staff, he was a catalyst in one of the most successful administrations in South Carolina history. Warren was the chief architect in developing the administration’s strategy for economic development, education reform, tax cuts, environmental protection, and government restructuring. His talent for crisis management was vital in South Carolina’s recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Hugo.

Warren began private practice in 1991, successfully providing government and legislative affairs guidance to public and private agencies, political organizations and candidates, corporations and individuals.

Warren served as the chief strategist for George W. Bush’s 2000 South Carolina presidential primary. In 2002, Warren was a general consultant to Lindsey Graham in his successful bid to fill the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by Strom Thurmond.

In 2004, Warren served as an advisor to U.S. Representative Jim DeMint in his successful bid for U.S. Senate. He was also the Atlantic Region Chair of the successful Bush-Cheney ’04 campaign.