Richard A. Harpootlian (born January 23, 1949) is an American attorney and politician serving as a member of the South Carolina Senate from the 20th district. He served as the chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party from 1998 to 2003 and again from 2011 to 2013. As a member of the South Carolina Senate, Harpootlian has been a frequent critic of the state's budgetary practices. He is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee.