Last Friday, the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce PAC released a slate of South Carolina State House candidates that have received their endorsements.

This week, we are sharing the candidates in local races that have been endorsed by the PAC. The candidates listed below have been closely vetted and considered based on the following: 

Qualified candidates demonstrate an ability to serve effectively if elected or re-elected. 

Endorsed candidates have strong alignment with the Chamber’s key policy priorities and a strong vision for the future of their district. 

Berkeley County

District 1 – Dan Owens R(incumbent)
Councilman Owens, running for re-election, was first elected in a 2020 special election. Dan formerly served as a council member for the City of Hanahan.

District 2 – Jarrod Brooks R
Jarrod is running for the District 2 seat, which will be vacated by current Council member Josh Whitley. Jarrod was endorsed in the Republican primary election earlier this year by the PAC.

District 3 – Phillip Obie R(incumbent)
Councilman Obie is currently running for re-election to represent District 3. Phillip is a Citadel graduate and on the board of the Boy Scouts of America – Coastal Carolina Council. He is the Vice Chairman of County Council and Land Use Chairman.

Charleston County

District 3 – Hayden Seignious R (endorsement), Rob Wehrman D (incumbent) (qualified) 
Hayden is currently running for first-time election in District 3. He is a Citadel graduate and engineer. Hayden’s top policy issues are infrastructure, including the completion of 526, responsible government finance and public safety.

Councilman Wehrman is running for re-election in District 3, where he has served for the last four years. As a council member, Rob has championed a number of causes related to attainable housing, including establishing a housing trust fund and providing gap financing for attainable housing development projects in the county.

District 6 – Kylon Middleton D (incumbent) 
Councilman Middleton is running for re-election is District 6, after being first elected in 2020. Kylon is a former educator and current pastor. He chairs the Economic Development Committee for County Council. 

District 7 – Brantley Moody R (incumbent) 
Councilman Moody, running for re-election, was first elected in November of 2016. Brantley has been in commercial banking for over 25 years and has been a strong supporter of the business community. He is the Chairman of the Planning/Public Works Committee and has championed efforts towards the completion of 526.  

Dorchester County

District 4 – Todd Friddle R (incumbent)
Chairman Friddle is currently running for re-election in District 4, where he has served for several years. Todd leads the Budget, Finance and Purchasing Committee as well as the Water and Sewer Committee.

District 5 – Eddie Crosby R (incumbent) 
Councilman Crosby is currently running for re-election in District 5. Eddie is a native of Dorchester County and currently serves as Chairman of the Public Works, Property and Utilities Committee.

District 6 – Bill Hearn R (incumbent) 
Councilman Hearn is running for re-election in District 6. He was first elected to County Council for in 1995. Currently, Bill serves as Chairman of the Public Safety, Health and Human Services Committee. Bill has been a longtime friend to the business community.  

With about a month to go before Election Day, the PAC is looking forward to supporting each of these candidates in their respective races. Voter turnout matters, so please make sure you are registered to vote.

If you would like to contribute to the PAC and support this meaningful work, please click here or email dcurry@charlestonchamber.org.

For easy reference at the poll, download the PAC Voter Guides for;

• Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester Counties
• South Carolina State Senate
• South Carolina State House of Representatives

Additionally, you can check your sample ballot at SCVotes.gov. 

One of the most impactful ways to support the business community is by voting for candidates and policies that will strengthen our economy.

Please make sure your voice is heard this November.