Isle of Palms Spring 2016

control and also a well-known opponent. Charles

“Pug” Ravenel had run unsuccessfully for governor

in 1974 and against Strom Thurmond for a seat in

the U.S. Senate in 1978. Hartnett won a close race

and moved the family to the Washington area.

“It was a thrilling time for the whole family. The

kids were young, Bonnie was young. I was excited

about it,” Hartnett recalled. “We packed up at

Christmas in 1980, rented a house in Alexandria and

moved up there. Everyone was enthusiastic.”

Hartnett was elected as the president of an

exceptionally large freshman class of congressional

Republicans, a position that gave him much more

access than most newly-elected congressmen.

“I got to meet with the president, fly on Air

Force One, sit in the cabinet room with the

president and the leaders of the party,” explained

Hartnett. “I really liked that, but it wore on me

family-wise and otherwise constantly coming

back and forth to Washington.”

During his campaign, Hartnett had pledged

to serve no more than three terms – a promise he

Aboard Air Force One: U.S. Rep. Tommy Hartnett, President Ronald

Reagan and U.S. Rep. Carroll Campbell.

Photo provided by Tommy Hartnett.

CITY OF ISLE OF PALMS, SC

With vehicle registration and proof of residency,

residents may apply for the

2016 Residential Parking Permit

to allow parking on the road right-of-way of residential

districts during the beach season.

2016

BEACH

SEASON

PARKING