SOUTH CAROLINA DEMOCRATS ANNOUNCE HISTORIC FULL-SLATE CANDIDATE RECRUITMENT, CONTESTING EVERY STATEHOUSE, STATEWIDE, CONGRESSIONAL, AND U.S. SENATE SEAT IN 2026
Party unveils largest candidate field in modern South Carolina Democratic history, reaching the March 30th filing deadline
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Democratic Party (SCDP) today announced the successful recruitment of Democratic candidates for all 124 State House seats, all seven statewide constitutional offices, all 7 U.S. Congressional districts, and the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Senator Lindsey Graham, making 2026 the most expansive candidate recruitment cycle in the modern history of the state party.
The announcement comes as the filing window closes March 30, 2026, ahead of the June 9th Democratic primary. In 2025, under the leadership of Christale Spain, Chair, South Carolina Democratic Party, the Party formed a recruitment committee chaired by former SCDP Chair and DNC Chair Jaime Harrison and recruitment committee members from across the state. Party leaders say the full-slate strategy reflects not only growing Democratic enthusiasm statewide, but also calls for accountability. South Carolinians are done with the corruption, the failures, and the broken promises that Republicans have delivered decade after decade.
“South Carolina families deserve a real choice at the ballot box in every county and every district, and this year, we are making that a reality. The South Carolina Democratic Party has recruited a historic slate of candidates who reflect the full diversity and shared values of this state, and we intend to compete everywhere.”
— Christale Spain, Chair, South Carolina Democratic Party
“This is a truly historic moment for the South Carolina Democratic Party, and one that deserves to be celebrated. But I can’t say I’m surprised. We have a historic chair in Christale Spain whose North Star has been clear from day one: build the infrastructure, recruit the talent, and put Democrats in a position not just to compete, but to win. I’m incredibly proud to have worked alongside her and a committee of dedicated Democrats to achieve this milestone.” — Jaime Harrison, Chair of the SCDP Recruitment Committee, Former DNC Chair and SCDP Chair
The 2026 candidate slate spans every corner of the Palmetto State, from the Lowcountry to the Upstate, and includes attorneys, veterans, educators, healthcare professionals, small business owners, faith leaders, and community activists. Party officials say the historic recruitment effort was powered by an intensive outreach campaign launched in early 2025 through the SCDP’s Project Roadmap initiative, focused on strengthening county-level organizing infrastructure. It also reflects more than a decade of intentional leadership development through the Clyburn Fellowship, which for eleven years has trained and prepared a new generation of leaders to step up and run for office and serve their communities.
“Everywhere I go in my community, people tell me they’re frustrated with rising costs, limited opportunity, and leadership that hasn’t delivered real results. I’m running because South Carolina needs leaders who listen and who will fight for working families every single day. I’m grateful to the SCDP for being intentional about recruiting strong candidates across the state, leaders who are ready to step up, serve, and deliver for their communities.”
— Major Lisa Davey, Democratic Candidate for SC House District 67
“Today, Democrats are making history in South Carolina. For the first time in a generation, we are competing in every single State House district because the people of this state deserve real leadership, not one-party rule that has left too many families behind. After years of failed Republican leadership that has driven up costs and limited opportunity, we are stepping up with candidates who are ready to fight for South Carolinians and deliver real results in Columbia. I am proud of our caucus and the South Carolina Democratic Party for building a slate that reflects our state and is ready to lead.” — Rep. Todd Rutherford, South Carolina House Democratic Leader
The SCDP emphasized that fielding a full slate is itself a statement of intent. Research shows that contested down-ballot races drive higher Democratic turnout even in traditionally red states, lift statewide performance, and build the long-term infrastructure in a state that has been under failed Republican leadership for far too long.
“Every district we contest is a district where our message gets heard, our volunteers get trained, and our voters get mobilized. We are not just recruiting candidates to run just to run, but we are building a movement of change. For too long, too many communities have been ignored while Republican leadership has focused on the wrong priorities, underfunding schools, failing to expand access to affordable health care, and putting politics over people. ”
— Rep. Roger Kirby, 1st Vice Chair, SCDP
The SCDP’s 2026 recruitment effort will be supported by a robust field program, a digital organizing operation reaching voters across all 46 counties in its coordinated campaign efforts.
