Organization  |  SOUTH CAROLINA PRIMARY page  

Campaign Organization for the 2020 South Carolina Primary

(page revised February 22, 2020)


The list below shows the state leadership for each of the campaigns organizing in South Carolina. Click on the links in the chart at top for more campaign staff and supporters.  If you see anyone missing please email or call.   

     See also: Jamie Lovegrove.  "South Carolina's most valuable Democrats for 2020 presidential primary."  Post and Courier, Jan. 28, 2019.
Biden
 Buttigieg Klobuchar  Sanders Steyer Warren
       Former: Patrick  |  Bennet  |  Yang  |  Booker  |  Williamson  |  Castro  |  Harris  |  O'Rourke  |  Ryan  |  de Blasio |  Moulton  |  Swalwell



DEMOCRATS

Former Vice President Joe Biden - Biden for President


State Director  Kendall Corley

(reported Apr. 25, 2019)  Political director on James Smith's 2018 campaign for governor.  Helped lead DNC turnout efforts on behalf of Doug Jones' campaign for U.S. Senate in Alabama (>).  Strategist on Archie Parnell's campaign for Congress against Ralph Norman in the June 20, 2017 special election to succeed U.S. Rep. Mick Mulvaney in the 5th CD.  South Carolina political director on Draft Biden, Sept.-Oct. 2015 (>).  Has worked for Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin.  Midlands regional field director on Obama's 2007-08 South Carolina primary campaign.


Mayor Pete Buttigieg - Pete for America


State Director  Jarvis Houston

(Sept. 2019)  Chief of staff to NY State Senator Jesse Hamilton, Oct. 2014-Feb. 2019.  National co-chair of The Young & Powerful Group, Sept. 2007-Jan. 2014.  Campaign manager on Laurie Cumbo for New York City Council, May-Oct. 2013.  Campaign manager for the IL CD 2 coordinated campaign, Jan.-Nov. 2012.  General consultant and campaign manager on Boyd for Cook County Judge, Oct. 2011-Nov. 2012.  National director (Aug. 2006-Aug. 2007) and national recruitment and training coordinator (July 2005-Aug. 2006) for Project Youth Vote.  National youth community coordinator for People for the America Way, 2003-05.  B.A. in political science and government from Howard University, 2003.  twitter


U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar - Amy for America

State Director  Angela Kouters

Founder of Hard Count Strategies in Charleston, July 2018.  Political advisor to EMILY's list, Feb.-July 2018.  Chief of staff/fixer to Mayor Pete Buttigieg, May-Nov. 2017.  Director of legislative affaris (Jan. 2016-Jan. 2017) and deputy director of legislative affairs, NPPD (Aug. 2015-Jan. 2016) at the Department of Homeland Security.  Director of congressional, legislative and intergovernmental affairs at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Apr. 2014-July 2015.  President and CEO of Hard Count Strategies, Mar. 2013-Mar. 2014.  Chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton, May 2011-Nov. 2012.  Chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Glenn Nye, Jan. 2009-Jan. 2011.  Chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Jerry McNerney, Jan. 2007-Jan. 2009.  Political desk at the DCCC, May-Dec. 2006.  Political director for veterans and millitary families on Jonh Kerry for President, Apr.-Dec. 2004.  Legislative aide on the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee, Oct. 2001-Apr. 2004.  B.A. in political science and goernment from College of Charleston, 2000.  twitter


U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders - Bernie 2020

State Director  Jessica Bright

(reported Nov. 14, 2019, succeeding Kwadjo Campbell; Bright had been serving as deputy state director)  Political director on Joe Cunningham for Congress from Sept. 2018.  Medical scribe for Scribe Solutions, Inc. Oct. 2014-Oct. 2015.  Patient access representative at Colleton Medical Center, Oct. 2013-Oct. 2015.  Counselor for the SC Department of Mental Health, Nov. 2013-May 2015.  Data analyst at Benefitfocus, Oct. 2014-Feb. 2015.  M.S. in health informatics from the Medical University of South Carolina, 2017; B.S. in health science from Clemson University, 2009.

Former State Director  Kwadjo Campbell ...AP reported on Nov. 14 that Campbell was off the campaign but no details were available

(reported Apr. 18, 2019)  President of JC & Associates (earlier Jeffers-Campbell Associates), a consulting firm in Greenville, from Jan. 2004.  Educator at Legacy Charter School Greenville from Jan. 2013.  Member of the Charleston City Council, 1998-2005.  Master's in education from Clemson University, 2012; undergraduate studies at College of Charleston; served in the Marine Corps Reserves.  (see also New Media South interview)  twitter


Tom Steyer - Tom Steyer 2020 

State Director  Jonathan Metcalf

(announced Aug. 27, 2019)  Principal at Fletcher+Metcalf (Columbia-Spartanburg) from Aug. 2012; owner of Metcalf-Marketing, LLC from Jan. 1996.  South Carolina chair of Ready for Hillary in 2016. Business development executive for Carolinas Suppliers Diversity Council, June 2009-Jan. 2011.  Regional sales manager for Black Pages, 1993-2009.  Upstate political director/political outreach coordinator for Obama for America in the South Carolina primary, June 2007-Feb. 2008.  B.A. in political science from University of South Carolina, 1988.


U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren - Warren for President


State Director  Alycia Albergottie

(announced Mar. 11, 2019)  Research technician for ICF (management consulting) from June 2017.  Executive assistant at Allen University (Columbia, SC), Nov. 2016-June 2017.  Chair of the Richland County Democratic Party in 2016-17.  South Carolina state director on Hillary for America, Aug.-Nov. 2016.  Program coordinator for the South Carolina Association of Community Action Partnerships, Mar. 2015-June 2016.  Executive assistant at Dickey Law Group, LLC from June 2014-Mar. 2015.  Campaign manager on Val Applewhite for Mayor (Fayetteville, NC), July-Oct. 2013.  Deputy campaign manager on Benjamin for Mayor of Columbia, SC, May-July 2013.  Regional field director on Elizabeth Colbert Busch for Congress, Jan.-March 2013.  Regional field director (West) for Organizing for America South Carolina, 2012.  Project coordinator (Oct. 2010-Dec. 2011) and research coordinator (Oct. 2008-Aug. 2011) at the University of South Carolina.  B.S. in biology from Allen University, 2008.  twitter


former candidates

Former Gov. Deval Patrick - Deval for All ...ended campaign February 12

State Director  LaJoia Broughton

(reported by Politico on Nov. 25, 2019)  State government affairs manager for JUUL Labs, from June 2019.  Principal at Alpha Business Essentials from July 2014.  Director of external communications for the South Carolina Retirement System Investment Commission, May 2017-June 2019.  Executive director of the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus, Dec. 2016-May 2017.  Programs manager at Colonial Life, July 2013-July 2014.  Marketing communications director for MBM (parent company) in Columbia, Sc, May 2008-June 2013.  Media relations/marketing manager at Thunder Tower Harley-Davidson, Nov. 2006-May 2008.  Marketing coordinator for Carolina Care Plan, Aug. 2005-Nov. 2006.  Master's in mass communications from the University of South Carolina, 2005; B.A. in communication studies from Furman University, 2003.  Grew up in Mauldin (Greenville Co.) SC.


U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet - Bennet for America ...ended campaign February 11

State Director  Avery Martin

(reported by Post & Courier's Jamie Lovegrove on May 28, 2019)  Program manager for the Laurens County Department of Social Services (DSS) office, May 2017-May 2019.  Assistant director for T.E.A.C.H Scholarship, June 2016-May 2017.  Human relations commissioner, appointed by the Greenville County Council, Oct. 2016-Apr. 2019.  Motivational speaker at Bowtie Motivation, Mar. 2007-Jan. 2019.  A senior social worker with the State of South Carolina, Mar. 2014-June 2016.  Associate with United Healthcare Services, Dec. 2010-Apr. 2013.  Extended day teacher in Anderson District Five, Oct. 2010-Dec. 2011.  Advocate with the Julie Valentine Center, Nov. 2009-Mar. 2010.  Interdisciplinary degree in non-profit leadership, child advocacy from University of South Carolina Upstate.  twitter


Andrew Yang - Friends of Andrew Yang ...suspended campaign February 11


State Coordinator  Dr. Jermaine Johnson Sr.

(announced June 6, 2019)  Owner of Dream Team Consulting LLC from Sept. 2014.and founder and CEO of the New Economic Beginnings Foundation Inc. from Sept. 2014.   Played professional basketball abroad in Canada, Brazil, Mexico, and Portugal, Dec. 2009-May 2015.;drafted to the NBA D-League’s Reno Bighorns.  D.B.A. in organizational leadership from Northcentral University, 2018; Master's degree in project management from Strayer University, 2014; B.A. in communications from the College of Charleston, 2008.



U.S. Sen. Cory Booker - Cory 2020 ...suspended campaign December 3
State Director  Christale Spain

(reported Feb. 4, 2019)  Senior executive assistant to U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn from Jan. 2018.  Executive director of the South Carolina Democratic Party from May 2016.  Political outreach director on Bernie Sanders' South Carolina primary campaign, Sept. 2015-Feb. 2016.  Deputy executive director of the South Carolina Democratic Party; started at the party in 2012.  Director of activities and education programs at the Carolina Childrens Home, Mar. 2005-Aug. 2011.  M.A. in human behavior and conflict management from Columbia College, 2010; B.A. in sociology (human services) from University of South Carolina at Aiken, 1999.  Native of Columbia, SC.  twitter


Marianne Williamson - Marianne Williamson for President
...campaign cut all staff as reported on January 2; Williamson suspended campaign January 10

Deputy State Director  Derrick Quarles

Director of Student Success Center, Wiley College, Marshall, TX, 2018-19.  Government relations liaison for Claflin University, Orangeburg, SC, 2017-18.  Advancement officer for Claflin University, 2016-17.  Consultant to the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus, 2014-16.  Political director on Willie Wilson for America, SC, 2015.  Fundraiser on Sellers for South Carolina, 2014.  Page in the South Carolina Senate, Columbia, SC, 2012-15.  Campaign strategist on Karl Allen for South Carolina Senate, 2011.   M.P.A from Grand Canyon University, 2017; B.A. in political science, from Claflin University, 2014.


Former HUD Secretary Julián Castro - Julián for the Future 
...the campaign  cut  SC operations in early November 2019 ; Christina Cue announced on November 21 she was joining the Warren campaign as deputy state director; Castro suspended his campaign on January 2

State Director  Christina Cue

(announced April 15, 2019)  CEO of OnCue Management Group, LLC from Nov. 2015.  Advance associate at the White House from May 2011.  Director of scheduling (June 2013-Nov. 2015) and scheduling and advance (Aug. 2011-June 2013) at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  Confidential assistant at the U.S. Department of Commerce-Bureau of Industry and Security, Apr. 2010-Aug. 2011.  Field organizer, regional field director and regional political director on Obama for America, starting June 2007 in SC and then AL, VA and GA through Nov. 2008.  B.A.Sc. in sport and entertainment management from University of South Carolina-Columbia, 2007.  twitter


U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris - Kamala Harris for the People ...suspended campaign December 3

State Director/National Deputy Political Director  Jalisa Washington-Price

(reported by AP on Feb. 8, 2019)  Chief of staff (Dec. 2018-Jan. 2019) and director of the office of diversity (Feb. 2017-Dec. 2018) at the DCCC.  Deputy political director (Dayton) and women's outreach director on Hillary for America Ohio campaign, June-Nov. 2016; coalition director for the Oregon primary campaign; political director on Clinton's South Carolina primary campaign from April 2015.  Public and government affairs director at Austin & Rogers P.A. in Columbia, SC, Aug. 2012-April 2015.  Bachelor's degree in economics from University of South Carolina-Columbia, 2010.  twitter


Former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke - Beto for America ...ended campaign November 1

State Director  Lauren Harper

(reported by McClatchy on Apr. 22, 2019)  CEO of CityBright, LLC from Oct. 2018.  Advisor for policy and communications to Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin, July 2016-Apr. 2019.  Social media coordinator for then Rep. Mia McLeod, Jan. 2014-July 2016.  B.A. in public relations from University of South Carolina-Columbia, 2016.  twitter

U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan - Tim Ryan for America ...ended campaign October 24

State Director  Brandon P. Brown

(early Aug. 2019)  Democratic nominee for Congress in SC-4 in 2018, def. by William Timmons.  Associate vice president of institutional advancement at Jackson State University (fourth largest HBCU).  Senior vice president of institutional advancement at Paine College.  SC deputy political director for Sen. Joe Biden’s presidential campaign.  Democratic nominee for Congress in SC-4 in 2004.  Worked in his family's funeral home business.  An admissions counselor at Claflin College.  Master's degree in human resource development from Webster University in St. Louis; B.A. in history from Paine College, 2000.  Native of Greenville.  twitter


Mayor Bill de Blasio - de Blasio 2020 ...ended campaign September 20

State Director  Lance T. Jones

(announced July 15, 2019)  Chief strategist/political strategist at Lance T. Jones & Associates in Atlanta since Jan. 2009; strategist, advisor and consultant on numerous races and for several commercial clients as well.  South Carolina experience includes advisor to Harold Phillips for County Commissioner (Myrtle Beach), Jan.-Dec. 2016; advisor to Lessie Price for Mayor (Aiken), Nov. 2014-Nov. 2015; field director/convention planning executive for the South Carolina Democratic Party, 2006-07; legislative assistant to state Rep. J. Todd Rutherford, Jan. 2003-04; and legislative staffer for the South Carolina Black Legislative Caucus/state Rep. Bessie Moody-Lawrence, Jan. 2000-Jan. 2002..  B.A. in political science from Benedict College, 2007; B.A. in international studies; international relations and affairs from University of South Carolina-Columbia, 2004.  twitter


U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton - Seth Moulton for America ...ended campaign August 23

State Director  Tonya V. James

(reported May 22, 2019)  Retired Marine Corps Master Sergeant, served 20 years on active duty, retiring in Dec. 2015 after a tour as communications chief at Marine Corps Base Quantico,.  More recently served as campaign manaager for Ronnie Ross for state Senate (SD-27) in Virginia; and earlier on Sen. Tim Kaine's 2018 re-election; the Northam campaign; and with Virginia Democrats.  Spartanburg native.


U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell  - Swalwell for America ...ended campaign July 8

State Director  Breticca Moody

(June 2019)   Director of residential services (Jan.-June 2019) and assistant director of residential services (Nov. 2018-June 2019.  Campaign manager on Rosalyn Glenn for State Treasurer from July 2018.  Regional political director on James Smith for Governor.  Regional field director for the South Carolina Democratic Party, June-Oct. 2017.  Reisdence hall director at the College of Charleston, July 2016-Mar. 2017.  Academic advisorr at Missouri State University, Oct. 2014-June 2016.  Cashier at Voorhees College, Aug. 2013-Sept. 2014.  TRIO studen support services counselor for the College of Charleston, Jan. 2011-July 2013.  M.E. fomr Columbia College, 2014.  B.A. in political science from College of Charleston, 2010.

PARTIES


South Carolina Democratic Party

Chairman  Trav Robertson

(elected late April 2017, two year term)  Executive director of the Oklahoma Democratic Party, July 2011-Jan. 2015.  Managed Sen. Vincent Sheheen’s 2010 bid for governor of South Carolina.  South Carolina state director on Obama for America general election campaign, Aug.-Nov. 2008.  Iowa regional field director and South Carolina field coordinator for Gov. Bill Richardson’s presidential campaign.  Ran State Treasurer Grady Patterson's 2006 re-election campaign (narrowly won by Thomas Ravenel (R)), and previously served as a spokesman for Treasurer Patterson, and directed Patterson's successful 2002 and 1998 re-election campaigns.  Managed Brent Weaver's congressional campaign in the Dec. 2001 special election in the 2nd CD.  Managed U.S. Rep. John Spratt's victory in 2000.   A former chairman of the Anderson County Democratic Party   B.A. in philosophy from the University of South Carolina.  Anderson native.  twitter

South Carolina Republican Party

Chairman  Drew McKissick

(elected May 13, 2017)  President/owner of Drew McKissick Public Affairs in Columbia from 2003; conservative political strategist with over thirty years of experience including engagement director for the RNC, Dec. 2013-May 2017 and consultant to Romney for President, 2007-08.  Studied at College of Charleston.  twitter


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