Nathan Ballentine
Nathan Ballentine (born December 10, 1970) is a Republican member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, United States, representing the House District 71 since 2005. Early years and family. Nathan was born in Richland County and, for almost two decades, has worked, lived, and raise his family in the community named after his ancestors. Nathan and his wife Karen are involved in Riverland Hills Baptist Church. He has a step-daughter, Sarah Katherine, son Jonathan Carroll, Jr., and daughter Emma Logan. Before his election to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 2004, Nathan had been involved  with and supported community groups such as the Lake Murray/Irmo Rotary, home owners associations, the District Five Government Relations Committee, the Community Leadership Council and the Northwest YMCA Advisory Council. He was a member of Leadership Columbia and the University of South Carolina Young Alumni Council and the University's Richland/Lexington Alumni Council. Nathan has worked for the same company since graduating from the University of South Carolina in December 1992 and is Vice President and Branch Manager for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage in Columbia, South Carolina. South Carolina House of Representatives. On June 8, 2004, Nathan defeated  the 16-year incumbent, Rick Quinn, who served as the House Majority Leader. After the upset in the Republican primary, the Ballentine easily defeated the Green Party candidate in November 2004 general election. Ballentine was elected Vice Chairman of the Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs committee during his freshman year (2005). He worked to get the first bill he filed to become law. In three months, H.3741 became law and the Palmetto State (and senior citizens in particular) soon benefitted from an increased focus on geriatric medicine. In just his 2nd year in office, Nathan again focused on healthcare ; this time focusing on autistic children. Even though H.4351 ultimately died in the Senate; Nathan’s hard work enabled similar legislation to pass the following year. Another re-election (2007–2008) provided an opportunity to push fiscal issues that led to the passage of H.3008 (reduced tax burden on non-profits) and a House Rule change banning hidden earmarks. During 2009 and 2010, Nathan was the chief cosponsor, with then-Representative Nikki Haley, pushing for more accountability with On-The-Record Voting. That bill ultimately died in the Senate; but not before the House made a rule change and passed the  bill with no dissenting votes. In 2011 at the request of Governor Haley, Nathan became lead sponsor for the On-The-Record Voting Bill and is hopeful for passage of one of the Governor's top issues to improve accountability in the SC General Assembly. In the 2010 session, Nathan’s Campaign Finance Disclosure Bill became law. The bill requires every elected official (from school board, to county office holders, etc.) to file their campaign disclosure report on-line. During his career in the South Carolina General Assembly, Ballentine has served on the Education and Public Works Committee, the House  Ethics Committee, the Joint Transportation Review Screening Committee, and has been named a Friend of the Taxpayer and Taxpayer Hero every year he has served in Columbia. He receives high grades from Business and Industry groups as well as the SC Club for Growth and the NRA. Nathan is the Chairman of the Regulations Subcommittee in the House Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee. Nathan does not keep his State House salary, donating it to community groups and organizations. In 2006, he designated funds for scholarships for deserving seniors. In his six years in office he has returned over  $40,000 to his community.