Phil P. Leventis is a former Democratic member of the South Carolina Senate who represented the 35th District from 1980 to 2012. Born in Lexington County, South Carolina, Leventis graduated from the University of Virginia in 1969. He then received his commission as second lieutenant from the United States Air Force. He then became an air force pilot. Leventis retired from the South Carolina Air National Guard as Assistant Adjutant General for Air in 1999 after 30 years of service. During his service he amassed more than 3,600 hours of flying time, mostly in the F-102, A-7, and F-16, and flew 21 combat missions over Kuwait and Iraq during Operation Desert Storm. His grade upon retirement, Brigadier General, was federally recognized in March 1998.