Who is Trey Gowdy? Biography, Career, Achievements, and Net Worth

Harold Watson “Trey” Gowdy III (born August 22, 1964) is an American television news presenter, former politician, and former federal prosecutor. He served as the U.S. Representative for South Carolina’s 4th Congressional District from 2011 to 2019, covering much of the Upstate region, including Greenville and Spartanburg.

Before his congressional career, Gowdy was a federal prosecutor in South Carolina (1994–2000) and later the solicitor (district attorney) for South Carolina’s Seventh Judicial Circuit (2000–2010). He gained national recognition through television appearances on Forensic Files, Dateline NBC, and SCETV.

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Facts About Trey Gowdy

Early Life and Education

Trey Gowdy grew up in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and graduated from Spartanburg High School in 1982. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Baylor University in 1986 and a Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1989, where he was a member of the scholastic honor society Order of the Wig and Robe.

After law school, Gowdy clerked for a judge on the South Carolina Court of Appeals and for a United States District Court trial judge, gaining foundational experience in the legal system.

Legal Career

Federal Prosecutor (1994–2000): Gowdy served as an Assistant United States Attorney in South Carolina, prosecuting a wide range of federal crimes including narcotics trafficking, bank robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, child pornography, and murder of federal witnesses. He received the highest performance rating a federal prosecutor can earn for two consecutive years and was awarded the Postal Inspector’s Award for the successful prosecution of a fugitive on America’s Most Wanted.

7th Circuit Solicitor / District Attorney (2001–2010): Gowdy managed an office of 25 attorneys and 65 staff, handling thousands of cases annually. He implemented programs such as the Violence Against Women Task Force, the Worthless Check Program, and Drug Courts, as well as the Drug Mother Protocol to help expectant mothers break the cycle of addiction. Gowdy gained recognition for excellence in capital litigation and victim advocacy, with several trials featured on Forensic Files, Court TV, and Discovery.

Congressional Career (2011–2019)

Trey Gowdy was elected as a Republican to represent South Carolina’s 4th Congressional District for four consecutive terms. He served on numerous committees including:

• Judiciary Committee
• Education and the Workforce Committee
• Ethics Committee (resigned 2018 due to workload)
• Oversight and Government Reform Committee (Chairman, 115th Congress)
• Intelligence Committee
• Select Committee on the Events Surrounding the 2012 Benghazi Attack (Chairman)

Gowdy participated in high-profile investigations and was widely recognized for his effectiveness as a congressional investigator, cross-examiner, and legislator.

Elections and Political Highlights:

• Defeated incumbent in the 2010 Republican primary with 71% of the vote.
• Re-elected multiple times, including 64.9% of the vote in 2012 and 67.2% in 2016.
• Announced on January 31, 2018, that he would not seek re-election, citing a desire to return to the justice system.

Political Stance and Voting Record:

• Rated as a “moderate Republican follower” by GovTrack (2013–2014).
• Voted with the Republican Party over 94% of the time in 2014.
• Supported immigration reform discussions while emphasizing border security and law enforcement.

Campaign Finance:

• Raised over $2.5 million during his congressional campaigns (2009–2014).
• Top campaign contributions came from individuals and PACs in the legal and health sectors.

Media and Authorship

After leaving Congress in 2018, Gowdy rejoined Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough and became a Fox News contributor.

Guest host for Fox News Tonight (May 2023)Trey Gowdy is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Doesn’t Hurt to Ask and co-author of Unified with Senator Tim Scott. He hosts Sunday Night in America with Trey Gowdy on Fox News and The Trey Gowdy Podcast, sharing insights on legal, political, and national issues.

Interim host of Fox News Primetime (2021)

Host of Sunday Night in America with Trey Gowdy (2021–present)

Trey Gowdy’s Net Worth

Trey Gowdy’s net worth is estimated to be around $1 million to $5 million. His wealth comes from his extensive career in public service, including roles as a federal prosecutor, district attorney, and U.S. congressman, as well as from his work as an author and Fox News contributor. Over the years, Gowdy has also earned income through speaking engagements, books, and media appearances, making him financially well-established while maintaining a relatively modest lifestyle compared to many public figures.

Personal Life

Gowdy is married to Terri Dillard Gowdy, a former first-grade teacher, and they have two children: Watson (Clemson University, 2015; Washington and Lee School of Law, 2018) and Abigail (University of South Carolina, 2018; attending law school). The Gowdy family resides in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and they have two dogs, Bailiff and Dallas.

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