Thomas McElveen, 34, was born in Sumter, where he is a lifelong resident. He is a partner and practicing attorney with the Bryan Law Firm in downtown Sumter.

Thomas has prosecuted cases for the Sumter County Sheriff's Department and has served as an assistant public defender in Sumter County. He is a member of the Sumter Sertoma Club, the Shaw-Sumter Community Council, and has served on the Judicial Qualification Committee of the South Carolina Bar since 2009. Thomas has also served on the boards of the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce and the Derthick Education Foundation.

At First Presbyterian Church in Sumter, his lifelong home church, Thomas has served as a member of the pastor search committee, as a deacon, and currently serves as an advisor to the Youth Council.

Thomas was recently elected to represent the Third Judicial Circuit in the House of Delegates of the South Carolina Bar Association.

Thomas is a graduate of Davidson College, where he was a letterman on the cross-country and track and field teams, earned Southern Conference all-academic honors, and served as a captain of the cross-country team. While at Davidson, Thomas was elected by the student body to serve as defense counsel to the Honor Council. He also served as a member of the Southern Conference's Student Athlete Advisory Committee, and worked as a resident advisor for Davidson's Residence Life Office.

Thomas received his law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law, where he served as a peer mentor.

In his spare time Thomas enjoys the outdoors, and he is an avid fisherman. Thomas also enjoys spending time with his family and friends, and stays very active in his community. One of Thomas' favorite activities is speaking with students at local schools each time the opportunity presents itself.

Thomas is married to Bronwyn McElveen and is the son of Joe and Kathy McElveen.