Endorsements

In making endorsements, CVSC’s Board of Directors considers a candidate’s record, experience, leadership, viability and interest in conservation. We do not expect candidates to be experts on our current issues, so we do not ask for commitments on specific positions. We look forward to a conversation with candidates about their legislative priorities.

CVSC released its first round of endorsements on March 9, 2020. These early endorsements are outlined below and represent those candidates who CVSC wanted to endorse regardless of if challenged or who their opponent may be. These early endorsements were chosen because of each of these candidates’ strong support for conservation, their commitment to protecting the natural resources of our state, and the history of leadership on conservation and clean energy issues.

Additional endorsements will follow. Please see this page with questions about CVSC’s 2020 endorsement process and timeline.

The Board of Directors of Conservation Voters of South Carolina (CVSC) announced its endorsement of 8 State Senators and 28 State Representatives in the 2020 election. “South Carolina needs champions in the House and Senate who will fight for clean air and water, stand up for the rights of citizens to a clean environment, and lead bipartisan coalitions to advance clean energy,” said John Tynan, CVSC’s Executive Director. “We are proud to endorse each of […]

We won a lot of races during the primaries (85% to be exact), but we haven’t reached the finish line…yet. The general election is days away on Tuesday, November 6 – and there are conservation candidates up and down the ballot that need your vote to win! Conservation champions have achieved great things at the Statehouse – permanent reauthorization of the Conservation Bank, historic shoreline protections, transformative energy reforms, and more. Now these champions – and conservation […]

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Conservation Voters of South Carolina (CVSC) announced Monday they were officially endorsing Dick Harpootlian for State Senate District 20 in Richland and Lexington Counties. The leading political voice for conservation in South Carolina, CVSC supports bipartisan, pragmatic leaders who will advance conservation at the Statehouse. “South Carolina needs a Senator who will shake things up at the Statehouse, who won’t back down from a fight, and who will focus on the […]

It’s that time again – the time when campaign signs start popping up, when political ads flood the TV and radio airwaves, when candidate mailers appear in your mailbox on a daily basis. It’s ELECTION TIME! The primary elections are just 18 days away on Tuesday, June 12. And for many of you, the primary may be the only chance you have to cast your vote for your State House Representative. Turnout in primary elections is extremely […]

“Conservation Leadership Sets James Smith Apart” COLUMBIA, SC – The Board of Directors of Conservation Voters of South Carolina (CVSC) announced today its endorsement of Representative James Smith for Governor of South Carolina in the 2018 election. In 2009, Representative Smith was honored with CVSC’s first ever Green Tie Award for House Conservation Leadership. “South Carolina needs a leader who will advance a bold vision for the future of our state and protect the air, […]

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Conservation Voters of South Carolina (CVSC) on Thursday announced they were officially endorsing Michael Weaver for State House District 69. CVSC chose to endorse Weaver because of his commitment to keeping our rivers and lakes clean for drinking, swimming, and fishing as well as his strong belief that conservation and business go hand-in-hand. “We’re backing Michael because he understands the needs of District 69 and will be a strong voice for clean air and […]

CVSC Backs “A Strong Voice for Conservation” COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Conservation Voters of South Carolina (CVSC) on Thursday announced they were officially endorsing Ashley Trantham for State House District 28. CVSC chose to endorse Trantham because of her support for South Carolina’s agricultural economy and recognition that conservation and business go hand-in-hand. “We’re backing Ashley because she understands the needs of District 28 and will be a strong voice for conservation,” said CVSC Executive […]

CVSC is proud to endorse Rep. Kirkman Finlay (R-Columbia) for re-election to House District 75. A member of the influential House Ways & Means Committee, Rep. Finlay has been a strong and consistent advocate for the Conservation Bank – both to ensure its continued funding as well as fighting tirelessly for its reauthorization. In fact, in 2017 and 2018 Rep. Finlay was a co-sponsor of reauthorization legislation as well as a member of the Ways & Means […]

CVSC is proud to endorse Rep. Robert Williams (D-Darlington) of District 62. Since joining the House of Representatives in 2007, Rep. Williams has earned a lifetime score of 85%. His work on the House Ag and Natural Resources Committee and positive votes on solar energy growth, energy reform, and land protection issues led to a score of 87% for the last session.

CVSC is proud to endorse Rep. Tommy Pope (R-Rock Hill) of District 47. Rep. Pope is a consistent supporter of conservation issues since his election in 2011. This year, he again showed his support through positive votes for solar jobs, the creation of a utilities consumer advocate, and reauthorization of the Conservation Bank. His efforts, and lifetime score of 75%, make CVSC proud to endorse him for the upcoming election. To learn more about Pope […]

CVSC is proud to endorse Rep. David Mack (D-Charleston) of the 109th district. Mack’s tireless efforts earned a stellar score of 94% for this legislative session and boosting his lifetime score to 78%. In a year of falling scores and tough decisions, Mack was a proud co-sponsor for bills protecting South Carolina’s tourism industry from offshore drilling and creating an advocate for South Carolinians to watch energy companies and lower their energy bills. Mack’s history […]

CVSC is proud to endorse Rep. Patsy Knight (D-St. George) of the 97th district.  Knight holds a score of 85% for her conservation efforts this session, and a 79% lifetime score. This session, she was a proud supporter of numerous energy reform and clean energy bills, in an effort to lower South Carolinians’ energy bills. Knight’s commitment to clean energy and the protection of South Carolina’s shoreline demonstrates her consistent support to protect this state. […]

CVSC is proud to endorse Rep. John King (D-Rock Hill) of District 49. King’s sponsorship of the environmental bill of rights and continued fight to protect the automatic stay this session shows that he is a champion of conservation issues. He has a 83% lifetime score on our conservation scorecard.

CVSC is proud to endorse Rep. Joseph Jefferson (D-Berkeley) for SC House District 105. Jefferson holds of 66% for this legislative session and an 80% lifetime score. This session he co-sponsored bills against offshore drilling and advocating for the development for the right to find local solutions for local problems. Jefferson is a champion in protecting one of our most important economic drivers, tourism, through his fight against offshore drilling. He has a history of […]

CVSC is proud to endorse Rep. Chip Huggins (R-Columbia) from District 85. Huggins is a consistent advocate and conservation supporter with a lifetime score of 79% on our scorecard. His sponsorship of Conservation Bank reauthorization and of the creation of a utilities consumer advocate this year highlights his commitment. We look forward to continuing to work with him to promote the best interests of both the environment and people of South Carolina.

CVSC is proud to endorse Kambrell Garvin (D-Columbia) for SC House of Representatives for District 77. Garvin supports a clean energy future and thoughtful land protection and development, which should make him a valuable ally at the State House. To learn more about Garvin please visit his website at http://kambrellgarvin.com/.  

CVSC is proud to endorse West Cox (R-Piedmont) for House District 10. Cox is an attorney in Piedmont. He wants to focus on government transparency and long-term planning, which can help SC prepare for present and future conservation issues like protecting our water resources. He also wants to work with us on solar energy market growth, energy planning, protection of home rule, and the fight against offshore drilling. Cox will be a thoughtful conservation leader […]

CVSC is proud to endorse Rep. Lin Bennett (R-Charleston) for the 114th district. Bennett holds a score of 66% during her first legislative session. She started off her legislative career strong by co-sponsoring bills in support of clean energy and accountability for energy companies to protect South Carolinians and lower their energy bills. Bennett has shown voters in her first year her commitment to clean energy and to providing South Carolinians with better energy options. […]

CVSC is proud to endorse Rep. Mike Sottile (R-Charleston) of District 112. Rep. Sottile has a proven track record highlighting his willingness to work with us on conservation issues, earning him a lifetime score of 81% since joining the House in 2009. He has fought to protect our beautiful state through efforts to prevent offshore oil drilling and reauthorization of the Conservation Bank. Additionally, he has championed greater protections for citizens through stronger dam safety […]

CVSC is proud to endorse Rep. Chris Murphy (R-Dorchester) of District 98. Rep. Murphy has been a partner in our efforts to better protect South Carolinians through stronger energy reforms, supporting the utilities consumer advocate, and expanding solar jobs. He has also supported dam safety reform and reauthorization of the Conservation Bank, earning himself a 61% lifetime score since joining the House in 2011. We hope to continue to work together to accomplish more together […]

CVSC is proud to endorse Rep. Micah Caskey (R-Lexington) of District 89. Rep. Caskey is a proven conservation champion since his election to the House in 2016. He has been a staunch supporter of conservation and clean energy, sponsoring bills this last session that created a utilities consumer advocate and expanded solar jobs in our state. Through his efforts, he has an 87% on our scorecard which make us proud to endorse him for the […]

CVSC is proud to endorse Rep. Ronnie Young (R-Aiken) of District 84. Since his special election in 2017, Rep. Young has been an ally in fighting for conservation in South Carolina. He has voted with us on solar growth, land protection, and reauthorization of the Conservation Bank. We hope to continue working with him to fight for these issues and more.

Conservation Voters of South Carolina (CVSC) has announced the endorsement for re-election of Hugh Weathers for Commissioner of Agriculture. CVSC also announced the endorsements of three additional House candidates for election and re-election to the state legislature. The candidates come from both major parties and represent a cross-section of South Carolinians.

Today the Board of Directors of Conservation Voters of South Carolina (CVSC) announced the endorsement of Senator Vincent Sheheen for Governor of South Carolina.

Jay James, CVSC’s Chairman of the Board said, “You do not have to speak to Vincent for very long to know that his commitment and passion for conservation is from the heart. I am certain he will make our natural resources a priority as governor.”

“We have an obligation to all South Carolinians to inform them of candidates’ records during election season. That responsibility is especially critical when it comes to the gubernatorial race, our most important statewide office,” said Ann Timberlake, CVSC’s Executive Director. “In the governor’s race, the choice could not be clearer—for Senator Sheheen conservation is an important part of his public life and his record reflects that. On the other hand, Governor Nikki Haley has barely given conservation a minute of her attention while in office.”