State Sen. Phil Leventis strives to be a statesman instead of a politician. He's a retired F-16 fighter pilot who serves as a citizen-legislator in the General Assembly while running a successful small business.

Through the years, he's learned how to lead people, organizations and our state. Now this father of four wants to continue his 28 years of public service as a state senator for Sumter and Lee counties.

"Teachers, administrators and students need our support today more than ever," said Leventis, who earned the 100 percent top rating this year from the S.C. Education Association. "The challenges they face now are more demanding than when I entered the first grade. If we don't forge ahead in education, we - and more significantly - our children will be left behind."

The Sumter resident also is credited with spearheading the successful fight to make USC-Sumter become a four-year institution. More on education.

Endorsed by the Conservation Voters of South Carolina, Leventis is one of the state's leading voices in protecting South Carolina's special places.

For example, Leventis pushed in the 1990s to establish a clean-up fund for the hazardous waste landfill on the banks of Lake Marion in Pinewood.

"I have initiated environmental programs that have helped all of us - tougher requirements for hog farms, cleanup for dry-cleaning industries where they need it, accountability for hazardous waste operators and promoting growth planning for our state with an emphasis on the local level, not planning imposed by Washington or Columbia," he recently said.

Conservation Voters of South Carolina: "You have a proven record of working to protect local safeguards for factory animal operations and for fighting to adopt a fair "no net loss" permitting system for isolated wetlands. We particularly thank you this year for your leadership and support of full funding for the Conservation Bank."

Emergency Medical Services Association of South Carolina: "Senator Leventis has always led the way to "do the right thing" for those who need it the most. We in the emergency medical service business are proud to call Senator Phil Leventis our friend and truly appreciate his stance in making sure the populous in South Carolina has the vital EMS coverage when needed. "

The Sumter Item: "Phil Leventis has shown time and again that he has the skills to work across party lines and bring people together for the good of our state without posturing or grandstanding, but with the single-minded purpose of finding solutions that work."

• More testimonials

Leventis wins June 10 primary with 59 percent of vote

Sen. Phil Leventis captured 59 percent of the vote in the June 10 primary to win the Democratic nomination for the Senate 35 seat he has held for 28 years. "I'm just pleased. I know the turnout wasn't big," Leventis told The Sumter Item. "We won, and for that I'm thankful."

• Read more coverage in The Item

Leventis endorsed by The Item as "exemplary public servant"

"With a minister of distortion and misinformation like this aboard the McLeod campaign bus, it allows us – indeed it demands of us – to enthusiastically and unreservedly endorse Phil Leventis for nomination to Senate Seat 35 in the Tuesday Democratic primary. He is an honorable man, a decent man, an exemplary public servant and clearly the best and brightest candidate in this primary contest.

"We urge voters of all political persuasions, Republicans as well as Democrats, to show their appreciation for Sen. Phil Leventis at the polls on Tuesday. "

• Read the full June 8 endorsement

Educators highlight Leventis' record in endorsement

JUNE 7, 2008 -- The SC Education Association has endorsed Sen. Phil Leventis:

"Senator Leventis has supported SCEA's legislative program that includes adequate and equitable funding for public education, a qualified teacher in every classroom, improved compensation for educators, a safe learning environment and the commitment for a great public school for every child," association President Sheila Gallagher said.

• Read the full story in The Item

Leventis endorsed by Conservation Voters of South Carolina

MAY 13 , 2008 -- Conservation Voters of South Carolina has endorsed S.C. Sen. Phil Leventis for re-election, according to Executive Director Ann Timberlake.

“Candidates earned our support because of either their records or their commitments to work with us on a variety of issues, including water and wetlands permitting, land conservation, annexation reform, upholding the Atlantic Compact and energy efficiency measures to lessen our dependence on dirty fossil fuels,” she said. Learn more.

Leventis receives major public policy award

APRIL 26, 2008 -- State Senator Phil P. Leventis of Sumter received a major public service public policy award for sponsoring legislation that provided unemployment insurance benefits to working spouses of military personnel who lost their jobs due to a spouse's transfer.

Leventis received the Public Policy Award by the South Carolina Chapter of the International Association of Workforce Professionals (SCIAWP) at the chapter's annual training conference held Friday. It was also announced at the conference that Leventis would also be receiving the award on the international level at the International Association of Workforce Professionals Conference to be held in Richmond, Virginia June 8-12, 2008. (Read more...)

Leventis wins national public service award

MARCH 7, 2008 -- S.C. Sen. Phil Leventis today won the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association's 2008 Public Service Award for "fulfilling the promise of the American Dream and the values of education and hard work instilled by our immigrant forbearers," according to Ike Gulas, supreme president.

Leventis announces bid for re-election

SUMTER, S.C., March 3, 2008 -- Retired Air Force General and state Senator Phil Leventis today announced his bid for re-election for the SC Senate. Leventis, a Sumter businessman, said his priorities for his next term are protecting South Carolina's natural resources, supporting public schools, and fighting for greater access to affordable health care. He also indicated that he is most proud of his community involvement and constituent service which he pledges to continue. Senator Leventis issued the following statement:

"This area of South Carolina is home and I've always believed in fighting for your home. I'm proud of what we have accomplished for our communities and constituents. From making our schools more efficient to saving Shaw Air Force Base, we are continuing to make the progress our citizens demand and deserve." Read more of the announcement...

Leventis exemplifies South Carolina values
A recent letter from Sumter resident John P. Ford highlights Leventis's accomplishments:

"He has protected our wilderness areas, supported our elderly and poor, fought to improve the educational opportunities of our children, demanded fiscal responsibility in government, operated a successful business, supported his church, raised four outstanding children, served nearly 30 years as a military pilot (retiring as a brigadier general), and risked his life to protect our nation. Aren't those the values we want in a senator?" Read more about what people say about the public service of Sen. Phil Leventis.

Leventis sounded early warning on Pinewood landfill
A June 13, 2004, story in The State describes how Sen. Phil Leventis was an early advocate of shutting down and cleaning up the Pinewood hazardous waste landfill. More.

Leventis announces Blue Granite Recognition program
Sen. Phil Leventis in April 2003 started a program to recognize state employees for the excellence they offer taxpayers every day.

• Read the announcement
• Read more about the program in Statehouse Report
• Visit the Blue Granite Recognition Web site