Judge Michael S. Holt was born in Hartsville, SC in 1970 to Jack and Carol Holt. He was the middle child of three children. His father was the plant manager of a hosiery manufacturing facility in Hartsville and his mother was a stay-at-home mom. Judge Holt was educated in the Darlington County School System and graduated from Hartsville High School in 1988. From 1988-1992, he attended the University of South Carolina where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in History and Minor in South Carolina Studies. Dr. Walter Edgar was a mentor to him during his collegiate years. During college Judge Holt was a member of Kappa Alpha Order as well as the Student Alumni Association. He also worked for the South Carolina State Senate where he obtained an education in politics. Following his undergraduate years he attended the University of South Carolina, School of Law from 1993 to 1996. Upon graduation he returned to his hometown to work for the late Senator Ed Saleeby’s law firm. In 2005 he was elected to be the Mayor of Hartsville, SC where he served a four year term (2005-2009).

In 2008 Judge Holt was awarded the Distinguished Young Alumni Award at USC. He has served as the President of the Hartsville Kiwanis Club as well as a Board Member of the Municipal Association of South Carolina. He has also served as a board member to the Hartsville YMCA, the Hartsville Chamber of Commerce and has been a member of many other clubs and organizations in his community.

Judge Holt was elected to the Family Court bench in May 2008 and served continuously in that capacity until his election to the Circuit Court bench in February 2021. He and his wife, Sherry Burton Holt, formerly of Inman, SC have two children. Judge Holt enjoys studying history in his spare time.