CVSC Announces Additional 2026 Election Endorsements
COLUMBIA, S.C.—Conservation Voters of South Carolina (CVSC) today announced an additional round of endorsements for the 2026 election, supporting a bipartisan group of state and local leaders committed to protecting South Carolina’s air, land, water, energy future, and quality of life.
These endorsements are in addition to those announced by CVSC earlier this year and build on a strong 2026 election cycle for conservation-minded candidates. Every CVSC-endorsed candidate facing a primary election this year won their race outright.
“As South Carolina experiences rapid growth, we need leaders to step up and ensure that conservation keeps pace, safeguarding the natural resources that support our economy and way of life,” said Meagan Diedolf, President of Conservation Voters of South Carolina. “We are proud to support Republicans and Democrats who are leading the conservation fight in the General Assembly.”
Additional 2026 Endorsements:
- Speaker Murrell Smith (R), House District 67, Sumter County
- Rep. Beth Bernstein (D), House District 78, Richland County
- Rep. Bill Clyburn (D), House District 82, Aiken, Edgefield, and Saluda counties
- Rep. Micah Caskey (R), House District 89, Lexington County
- Rep. Val Guest (R), House District 106, Horry and Georgetown counties
- Rep. Lee Hewitt (R), House District 108, Charleston and Georgetown counties
- Councilwoman Latisha Walker (D), Orangeburg County Council District 7
- Council Chair Joe Boykin (R), Charleston County Council District 8
The endorsed candidates have demonstrated strong records or commitments on issues including clean air and water, land conservation, resilience, responsible growth, and South Carolina’s energy future. Several earned perfect or above-perfect scores on CVSC’s 2025-2026 Legislative Scorecard, while the local candidates have shown a commitment to protecting their communities as South Carolina continues to face rapid development.
CVSC endorsements are backed by one of South Carolina’s most active bipartisan conservation political programs. In 2024, CVSC invested more than $1.4 million in political programs and drove over 3 million voter contacts in the 2024 primary and runoff elections. Through a massive statewide effort, CVSC and CVSC PAC knocked on over 105,000 doors, made 136,000 phone calls, sent 350,000 texts, sent over 1,093,000 mailers with voting and candidate information, and ran digital and radio ads to support the best candidates to protect South Carolina’s air, land, and water.
“An endorsement is more than putting our name beside a candidate,” said Diedolf. “It means we believe that candidate will be a partner in protecting the South Carolina we love. As we head toward November, we are ready to make sure voters know which candidates have the skillsets and passion to stand up for their communities and our natural resources.”
With its 2026 endorsement slate now complete, CVSC will focus through Election Day on helping elect conservation champions across South Carolina.