Meet the Black Candidates on the Ballot in Upstate South Carolina

From Congress to Columbia, Black candidates are seeking offices that shape everything from public schools and state finances to agriculture and the laws passed at the State House. Here are some of the Black candidates Upstate voters will see on the ballot this November.

When South Carolinians head to the polls this fall, voters across the Upstate will have an opportunity to help decide who represents their communities at nearly every level of government.

And Black candidates are among those asking for their vote.

Across Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, Laurens, Greenwood, McCormick and Abbeville counties, Black candidates are running for seats in the South Carolina House of Representatives. Upstate voters will also weigh candidates seeking federal and statewide offices, including governor, secretary of state, state treasurer and superintendent of education.

The 2026 General Election is Tuesday, November 3. Early voting runs October 19 through October 31.

Here are the Black candidates Upstate voters should know.

U.S. House of Representatives

Courtney McClain — Congressional District 4

Courtney McClain is seeking to represent South Carolina’s 4th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. The district includes much of Greenville and Spartanburg counties. McClain is the Democratic nominee for the seat.

Statewide Offices

Because these offices are elected statewide, voters throughout the Upstate will see these candidates on their ballots.

Jermaine Johnson — Governor

Jermaine Johnson is the Democratic nominee for governor, placing him at the top of the statewide Democratic ticket in November.

Jason Belton — Secretary of State

Jason Belton is seeking the office responsible for duties that include business filings, charities and other state records. He is the Democratic nominee for secretary of state.

Vincent Coe — State Treasurer

Vincent Coe is running for state treasurer. Coe has a background that includes 20 years of experience with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Federal Reserve.

Tiffany Boozer — Comptroller General

Tiffany Boozer is seeking the office of comptroller general, which plays a major role in South Carolina’s financial reporting and accounting. Her campaign has emphasized financial accountability, modernization and transparency.

Sylvia Wright — State Superintendent of Education

Veteran educator Sylvia Wright is running to lead South Carolina’s public education system. Wright has more than 20 years of experience in education, including work as a teacher, instructional coach, curriculum specialist and district coordinator.

DeShawn Blanding — Commissioner of Agriculture

DeShawn Blanding is a sixth-generation farmer seeking to become South Carolina’s next commissioner of agriculture. His background includes serving as a senior policy analyst on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee and becoming the first National FFA officer from South Carolina in more than 50 years.

South Carolina House of Representatives

Some of the races closest to home will determine who represents Upstate communities in Columbia.

Black candidates seeking seats in the South Carolina House include:

Elizabeth W. Cooley — District 7, representing portions of Abbeville, Anderson and Greenville counties
Demetrius Carson — District 8, Anderson County
Johnny Estrich — District 9, Anderson County
Junelle Brooks — District 12, Greenwood and McCormick counties
Michanna Tate — District 14, Laurens County
Dexter Reaves — District 21, Greenville County
Chandra Dillard — District 23, Greenville County
Wendell Jones — District 25, Greenville County
Rosalyn Henderson-Myers — District 31, Spartanburg County
Saville Williams — District 34, Spartanburg County

Representation—and Participation—Matter

Seeing Black candidates on the ballot is one part of the political process. Casting a ballot is another.

For Black communities across the Upstate, elections determine far more than who occupies an office in Columbia or Washington. The people elected this November will make decisions involving public education, transportation, economic development, taxes, agriculture, state spending and policies that reach directly into our neighborhoods.

That makes knowing who’s on the ballot important—even before deciding who deserves your vote.

The voter-registration deadline depends on how you register. South Carolinians must register in person by October 2, online or by fax or email by October 4, or have a mail registration postmarked by October 5. Early voting begins October 19 and continues through October 31, and Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

Know the names. Know the offices. Research the candidates. Ask questions about the issues that matter to you and your community.

Then make your voice heard.

Editor’s Note: This article is intended to provide information about Black candidates appearing on ballots available to voters in Upstate South Carolina. Inclusion in this article does not constitute an endorsement of any candidate or political party by BLKUpstate.