The Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce’s Political Action Committee (PAC) is pleased to announce its slate of candidates that will be endorsed or considered qualified for the upcoming November 7 general election. The candidates below have been vetted through the PAC interview process, which includes written questionnaire responses and an interview with one of the PAC interview teams. All filed candidates were invited to participate. In each case, the endorsed candidates sought the PAC endorsement and participated in the selection process. Endorsed candidates have strong alignment with the Chamber’s key policy priorities and a strong vision for the future of their community. Each candidate below was selected based on their capability to support the business community and advance our region.
City of Charleston Endorsements
District 1: Boyd Gregg
Boyd Gregg was first elected in January 2022 to serve as Councilmember for District 1 and is currently running for re-election. Boyd holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Clemson University and an M.S. in Civil Engineering and Applied Fluid Mechanics, also from Clemson University.
District 3: Stephanie Hodges
Stephanie Hodges, who is currently running for District 3, is a public health professional and business owner. Stephanie has experience working with stakeholders in policy-development. She also has experience as a community organizer and advocate on Johns Island.
District 5: Karl Brady, Jr.
Karl L. Brady, Jr. is currently running for re-election for District 5, representing Outer West Ashley and Johns Island. Karl holds a BA in History and Political Science from Wake Forest University. He has experience serving on the City’s West Ashley Revitalization Committee and the BCDCOG Area Transportation Study Committee.
District 7: Keith Waring
Keith Waring is currently running for re-election in District 7 and was first elected to the office in 2012. Keith has experience as a finance professional, as well as having served on numerous professional and non-profit boards in the Lowcountry.
District 11: Ross Appel
Ross Appel was first elected to represent District 11 in 2019 and is currently running for re-election. Prior to his election to City Council, Ross served on the City of Charleston’s Board of Zoning Appeals – Zoning. He is a lawyer who specializes in land-use and real estate law. Ross also has experience serving on numerous non-profit committees in the Charleston-area.
Mayor: John J. Tecklenburg
Mayor Tecklenburg is currently running for his third term as mayor of the City of Charleston. A former commercial real estate professional, businessman, and economic development director for the City of Charleston, Mr. Tecklenburg has experience working with the business community. Many of his efforts as mayor have included increasing housing attainability, water management and supporting small and minority-owned businesses.
Qualified
Candidates who are deemed qualified, display the necessary characteristics to serve on council, but may not align 100% with the Chamber on our key policy priorities.
| District 9: Kenneth Marolda Kenneth Marolda is a West Ashley resident and property manager. Kenneth earned a Masters degree in Community Planning, Policy, and Design at the College of Charleston. He currently sits on the West Ashley Revitalization Committee, and has experience as a community organizer and non-profit co-founder. District 9: William Tinkler William Tinkler is an attorney with his own law firm in the Charleston-area. He is longtime resident of West Ashley. |
City of North Charleston Endorsements
District 1: Mike A. Brown
Michael “Mike” Brown is currently running for re-election in District 1 of the City of North Charleston. Mike is a small business owner and native of the Charleston area.
District 2: Rhonda Jerome
Rhonda Jerome is running to be re-elected as a Councilwoman for District 2, as well as running to become mayor of the city of North Charleston. She has received the Chamber’s PAC endorsement for her City Council race. Rhonda has represented District 2 on City Council for 19 years, and was a graduate of the Municipal Associate of South Carolina’s “Municipal Elected Officials Institute of Government” in 2005.
District 4: Samuel Bellamy
Samuel Bellamy is running to represent District 4 on the City of North Charleston Council. Samuel is an associate pastor at a local church, a program officer for Coastal Community Foundation and has served on the City of North Charleston Planning Commission.
District 7: Dan Gregory
Dan Gregory, a retired government affairs professional, is running for North Charleston City Council in District 7. Dan has experience working for the State Reorganization Commission, the S.C, Budget and Control Board and working as a state liaison with the U.S. Census Bureau. Dan is also a graduate of the University of South Carolina.
District 8: Greg Perry
Greg Perry is running to represent District 8 of the City of North Charleston. Greg is both a volunteer and a nonprofit founder in his community. Additionally, he has leadership experience in partisan politics at the state level.
District 9: Kenny Skipper
Kenny Skipper is currently running for re-election in District 9 of the City of North Charleston. Kenny serves on the CHATS committee for the BCDCOG and has a professional background in operations management. He is also a graduate of the Citadel and an Army veteran.
District 10: Michael Brown
Michael A. Brown is running for election in the City of North Charleston’s 10th district. Michael is a native of North Charleston, and spent 25 years as a technical planner before he began his involvement in civic engagement. He has experience as a neighborhood president, community volunteer, and organizer.
Mayor: Reggie Burgess
Reggie Burgess, native of North Charleston, is currently running for mayor. Reggie previously served as the City of North Charleston’s first African American Chief of Police. Reggie has a degree in criminal justice from Claflin University and has served his community in various advocacy efforts and faith-based organizations.
Qualified
Candidates who are deemed qualified, display the necessary characteristics to serve on council, but may not align 100% with the Chamber on our key policy priorities.
District 10: Aaron Hicks
Aaron Hicks is running to represent the City of North Charleston’s 10th district. Aaron is the pastor of a local church and has experience as a community organizer and volunteer.
Town of Summerville
Mayor: Russ Touchberry
Russ Touchberry, a current Town Council member for District 3 in Summerville, is running for mayor. Russ is a Citadel graduate and native of Summerville. He has a professional background as a civil engineer and has previously chaired the Greater Summerville/Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce.
Town of Mount Pleasant
Daniel Brownstein
Daniel Brownstein is currently running to serve on Mount Pleasant Town Council. Daniel received his MBA from the University of South Carolina and has a professional background in marketing and communications. Daniel has experience serving on the Charleston County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council and other advocacy organizations. He also participated in the Charleston Metro Chamber’s 2023 Civic Leaders Academy.
Howard Chapman
Howard Chapman is currently running for re-election to serve on Town Council. Howard serves on the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and has experience serving on several neighborhood associations and transportation-related committees. Howard holds a Master of Engineering from the University of South Carolina and is a retired 2nd Lieutenant in the US Air Force Reserve.
Perry Rourk
Perry Rourk is seeking election in the Town Council race. Perry is a graduate of the College of Charleston and a small business owner. Perry currently chairs the Town of Mount Pleasant Recreational Advisory Commission and participated in the Charleston Metro Chamber’s 2023 Civic Leaders Academy.
Mike Tinkey
Mike Tinkey is currently running to serve on Town Council for the first time. Mike is long-time resident of Mount Pleasant and has experience serving as president of Wild Dunes Resort as well as running his own business.
Political decisions can have long-term impacts on businesses. Being involved in political races allows businesses to help shape policies that provide a stable and predictable operating environment. The Chamber PAC is proud to demonstrate its support for these candidates in the respective races. Please take the time to review these candidates so that you can be well informed before election day. For more information on voting in your area, please click the highlighted links for Charleston County, Berkeley County, and Dorchester County.
