2020 LGBTQ Voters Guide
2020 LGBTQ Voters Guide
Get The Facts Before You Vote
Welcome to the 2020 LGBTQ Voters Guide for South Carolina! Since 2012, we’ve compiled candidate research and endorsements to help you cast an informed vote. LGBTQ South Carolinians make up a substantial voting block and our voice matters in elections.
Endorsements from SC Equality come in two forms:
- Congressional and Presidential candidate endorsements are made by the political advocacy arm of our organization (SC Equality Coalition).
- State and Local candidate endorsements are made by the political action committee arm of our organization (SC Equality PAC)


Get The Facts Before You Vote
Welcome to the 2020 LGBTQ Voters Guide for South Carolina! Since 2012, we’ve compiled candidate research and endorsements to help you cast an informed vote. LGBTQ South Carolinians make up a substantial voting block and our voice matters in elections.
Endorsements from SC Equality come in two forms:
- Congressional and Presidential candidate endorsements are made by the political advocacy arm of our organization (SC Equality Coalition).
- State and Local candidate endorsements are made by the political action committee arm of our organization (SC Equality PAC)


YOUR VOTE MATTERS
Our 2020 Voter Guide: Your Vote is Your Voice


SC Equality’s 2020 Voter’s Guide includes candidates for federal, state and local elections. Our endorsements are made by SC Equality Coalition (501(c)4) for presidential and congressional races and by SC Equality PAC (Political Action Committee) for all state and local elections.


SC Equality’s 2020 Voter’s Guide includes candidates for federal, state and local elections. Our endorsements are made by SC Equality Coalition (501(c)4) for presidential and congressional races and by SC Equality PAC (Political Action Committee) for all state and local elections.
Presidential

We proudly endorse Joe Biden for President of the United States.
Candidates for President of the United States are endorsed by SC Equality Coalition, a 501(c)4 political advocacy arm of SC Equality. Click the link above and see why.
Presidential

We proudly endorse Joe Biden for President of the United States.
Candidates for President of the United States are endorsed by SC Equality Coalition, a 501(c)4 political advocacy arm of SC Equality. Click the link above and see why.
Congressional
Jaime Harrison
U.S. Senate
To Jaime Harrison, character always matters, hard work is in his bones, doing what’s right is a way of life, and making good on his debt of gratitude to South Carolina is a lifelong commitment.
The son of a single teenage mom, and raised by his grandparents in Orangeburg, South Carolina, Jaime overcame the challenges of grinding poverty with the help of teachers and mentors who believed in him. From a mobile home to Yale University and Georgetown Law, Jaime never forgot who he was or where he came from.

Rep. Joe Cunningham
1st Congressional District
“A year ago, I was proud to help pass the Equality Act through the House but we still have more work to do,” said Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-1). “I’m honored to be endorsed by SC Equality Coalition and look forward to standing with them in the fight for equality for all.”
“I believe in equal protection under the law for everyone, no matter who you are, or who you love. We have made so much progress towards equality under the law and in our society as a whole, but there is still much that we can do to improve the climate for our LGBTQ community. Let’s pass the Equality Act and prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity with regard to employment, housing, credit, education, public spaces and services, federally funded programs, and jury service–so that everyone can participate equally in all aspects of American life.”

Adair Ford Boroughs
2nd Congressional District
With an eye toward supporting hard-working, low-income families like those she grew up with, Adair Ford Boroughs has always known who she’s fighting for. From growing up in a double-wide trailer in Williston, South Carolina, to representing the American people in the U.S. Department of Justice, Adair has gone after cheating corporations and millionaires, ensured access to affordable legal services, and brought justice to grieving families. She has used her talent and intellect to forge change and solutions that help regular people. Adair is committed and rooted to the people of South Carolina. Her perspective and work ethic is needed in Congress.
Endorsed by Rep. Jim Clyburn; Mayor Steve Benjamin, Columbia; Former Governor Richard “Dick” Riley; Former Governor and First Lady Jim and Rachel Hodges; Rep. Todd Rutherford, House Minority Leader; Inez Tenenbaum, Former S.C. Superintendent of Education.

Rep. Jim Clyburn
6th Congressional District
Last year, with the crucial support of House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, the U.S. House passed the Equality Act, historic and crucial federal legislation that would finally guarantee explicit, permanent protections for LGBTQ people under our nation’s existing civil rights laws. But rather than giving LGBTQ people a fair shot, Sen. McConnell has blocked the bill from coming up for a vote. Reelecting a pro-equality House will be absolutely crucial to not only pass the Equality Act.
“Our nation’s vision is embodied in our Pledge of Allegiance with ‘liberty and justice for all’, and, for too long, that promise has not been realized by too many Americans,” Congressman Clyburn said. “It has been my mission in Congress to stand up for those who have been marginalized, disenfranchised and discriminated against because of their race, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. I am honored to receive this endorsement and look forward to continuing my work with the Human Rights Campaign to make the vision of America accessible and applicable to all people.”

Congressional
Jaime Harrison
U.S. Senate
To Jaime Harrison, character always matters, hard work is in his bones, doing what’s right is a way of life, and making good on his debt of gratitude to South Carolina is a lifelong commitment.
The son of a single teenage mom, and raised by his grandparents in Orangeburg, South Carolina, Jaime overcame the challenges of grinding poverty with the help of teachers and mentors who believed in him. From a mobile home to Yale University and Georgetown Law, Jaime never forgot who he was or where he came from.

Rep. Joe Cunningham
1st Congressional District
“A year ago, I was proud to help pass the Equality Act through the House but we still have more work to do,” said Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-1). “I’m honored to be endorsed by SC Equality Coalition and look forward to standing with them in the fight for equality for all.”
“I believe in equal protection under the law for everyone, no matter who you are, or who you love. We have made so much progress towards equality under the law and in our society as a whole, but there is still much that we can do to improve the climate for our LGBTQ community. Let’s pass the Equality Act and prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity with regard to employment, housing, credit, education, public spaces and services, federally funded programs, and jury service–so that everyone can participate equally in all aspects of American life.”

Adair Ford Boroughs
2nd Congressional District
With an eye toward supporting hard-working, low-income families like those she grew up with, Adair Ford Boroughs has always known who she’s fighting for. From growing up in a double-wide trailer in Williston, South Carolina, to representing the American people in the U.S. Department of Justice, Adair has gone after cheating corporations and millionaires, ensured access to affordable legal services, and brought justice to grieving families. She has used her talent and intellect to forge change and solutions that help regular people. Adair is committed and rooted to the people of South Carolina. Her perspective and work ethic is needed in Congress.
Endorsed by Rep. Jim Clyburn; Mayor Steve Benjamin, Columbia; Former Governor Richard “Dick” Riley; Former Governor and First Lady Jim and Rachel Hodges; Rep. Todd Rutherford, House Minority Leader; Inez Tenenbaum, Former S.C. Superintendent of Education.

Rep. Jim Clyburn
6th Congressional District
Last year, with the crucial support of House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, the U.S. House passed the Equality Act, historic and crucial federal legislation that would finally guarantee explicit, permanent protections for LGBTQ people under our nation’s existing civil rights laws. But rather than giving LGBTQ people a fair shot, Sen. McConnell has blocked the bill from coming up for a vote. Reelecting a pro-equality House will be absolutely crucial to not only pass the Equality Act.
“Our nation’s vision is embodied in our Pledge of Allegiance with ‘liberty and justice for all’, and, for too long, that promise has not been realized by too many Americans,” Congressman Clyburn said. “It has been my mission in Congress to stand up for those who have been marginalized, disenfranchised and discriminated against because of their race, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. I am honored to receive this endorsement and look forward to continuing my work with the Human Rights Campaign to make the vision of America accessible and applicable to all people.”

South Carolina Senate
Candidates for S.C. Senate are endorsed by SC Equality PAC, a political action committee of SC Equality. Sign Up, Volunteer and Financially Support any of the following candidates by clicking on the “View My Website” for each candidate.
The following Senators are running unopposed. SC Equality PAC recognizes each of them for their commitment to the LGBTQ community in South Carolina and SC Equality looks forward to continuing our work with each of them in 2021.

S.C. Senate
District 21
Sen. Darrell Jackson
(D)


S.C. Senate
District 30
Sen. Kent Williams
(D)


S.C. Senate
District 35
Sen. Thomas McElveen
(D)


S.C. Senate
District 40
Sen. Brad Hutto
(D)


S.C. Senate
District 42
Sen. Marlon Kimpson
(D)

South Carolina Senate
Candidates for S.C. Senate are endorsed by SC Equality PAC, a political action committee of SC Equality. Sign Up, Volunteer and Financially Support any of the following candidates by clicking on the “View My Website” for each candidate.
The following Senators are running unopposed. SC Equality PAC recognizes each of them for their commitment to the LGBTQ community in South Carolina and SC Equality looks forward to continuing our work with each of them in 2021.

S.C. Senate
District 21
Sen. Darrell Jackson
(D)


S.C. Senate
District 30
Sen. Kent Williams
(D)


S.C. Senate
District 35
Sen. Thomas McElveen
(D)


S.C. Senate
District 40
Sen. Brad Hutto
(D)


S.C. Senate
District 42
Sen. Marlon Kimpson
(D)

South Carolina House of Representatives
Candidates for S.C. House of Representatives are endorsed by SC Equality PAC, a political action committee of SC Equality. Sign Up, Volunteer and Financially Support any of the following candidates by clicking on the “View My Website” for each candidate.
The following Representatives are running unopposed. SC Equality PAC recognizes each of them for their commitment to the LGBTQ community in South Carolina and SC Equality looks forward to continuing our work with each of them in 2021.

S.C. House
District 23
Representative Chandra Dillard
(D)


S.C. House
District 31
Representative Rosalyn D. Henderson-Myers
(D)


S.C. House
District 59
Representative Terry Alexander
(D)


S.C. House
District 61
Representative Roger Kirby
(D)


S.C. House
District 62
Representative Robert Williams
(D)


S.C. House
District 70
Representative Wendy C. Brawley
(D)


S.C. House
District 72
Representative Seth Rose
(D)


S.C. House
District 82
Representative William “Bill” Clyburn
(D)


S.C. House
District 113
Representative Marvin Pendarvis
(D)

South Carolina House of Representatives
Candidates for S.C. House of Representatives are endorsed by SC Equality PAC, a political action committee of SC Equality. Sign Up, Volunteer and Financially Support any of the following candidates by clicking on the “View My Website” for each candidate.
The following Representatives are running unopposed. SC Equality PAC recognizes each of them for their commitment to the LGBTQ community in South Carolina and SC Equality looks forward to continuing our work with each of them in 2021.

S.C. House
District 23
Representative Chandra Dillard
(D)


S.C. House
District 31
Representative Rosalyn D. Henderson-Myers
(D)


S.C. House
District 59
Representative Terry Alexander
(D)


S.C. House
District 61
Representative Roger Kirby
(D)


S.C. House
District 62
Representative Robert Williams
(D)


S.C. House
District 70
Representative Wendy C. Brawley
(D)


S.C. House
District 72
Representative Seth Rose
(D)


S.C. House
District 82
Representative William “Bill” Clyburn
(D)


S.C. House
District 113
Representative Marvin Pendarvis
(D)

Municipal and Local Races
Candidates for municipal and local races are endorsed by SC Equality PAC, a political action committee of SC Equality.
Sheriff
Kristin Graziano
Charleston County Sheriff
“It’s an honor to be endorsed by SC Equality PAC, which does amazing work to make sure LGBTQ issues are at the forefront in South Carolina politics. As someone who has witnessed, investigated, and prosecuted hate crimes of LGBTQ victims, I am aware of the impact it can have on the community at large. It is those experiences that I carried with me every day while I was on the job. As the next sheriff, I want to make sure that hate crime victims receive meaningful justice and are treated with kindness, compassion, and empathy. Also, when I am elected, I will ensure that my employees will be able to self-identify with their preferred gender and that LGBTQ inmates will be placed into appropriate populations.”

Municipal and Local Races
Candidates for municipal and local races are endorsed by SC Equality PAC, a political action committee of SC Equality.
Sheriff
Kristin Graziano
Charleston County Sheriff
“It’s an honor to be endorsed by SC Equality PAC, which does amazing work to make sure LGBTQ issues are at the forefront in South Carolina politics. As someone who has witnessed, investigated, and prosecuted hate crimes of LGBTQ victims, I am aware of the impact it can have on the community at large. It is those experiences that I carried with me every day while I was on the job. As the next sheriff, I want to make sure that hate crime victims receive meaningful justice and are treated with kindness, compassion, and empathy. Also, when I am elected, I will ensure that my employees will be able to self-identify with their preferred gender and that LGBTQ inmates will be placed into appropriate populations.”

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