Political Action Committee
Every year is an election year in our region and the business community deserves to have access and influence on crucial decisions that impact our region for years to come. The Chamber’s PAC is an essential tool to support candidates that contribute to a positive business climate for the Charleston region’s business community.
Founded on September 15, 2000, the Chamber’s PAC is a separate organization governed by the PAC board. Chamber members sit on the PAC board, but their decisions are independent of the Chamber board.
Exercising business community influence at the ballot box
Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent in our community and state each day to provide services, build and maintain infrastructure and educate our future workforce. The PAC ensures the candidates we elect to public office have the fiscal responsibility to oversee budgets in the hundreds of millions of dollars and to determine spending priorities that positively impact the ability for businesses to operate each day effectively.
The focus is on local elections including city and town council, mayoral races and county councils. And since 2000, we’ve had a strong track record with two-thirds of the Chamber PAC’s endorsed candidates being elected.
The Chamber’s PAC also supports members of the tri-county legislative delegation and leadership of the General Assembly that are strong pro-business advocates.
PAC Wins:
- 63% of PAC endorsed candidates won their respective races in 2023
- Lifetime 65% endorsed candidate success rate
The PAC interview process allows the PAC board to vet the candidates and determine their alignment with the Chamber’s key policy priorities.
- Candidates complete written questionnaire
- PAC Board interviews each candidate
- Candidates that align with our legislative priorities are endorsed
