DeShawn Blanding: A Lifelong Champion in the Field
DeShawn does not view agriculture from behind a corporate desk. He has lived it his entire life.
From making history as the youngest FFA chapter president in his high school to being elected a National FFA Officer in 2016, DeShawn dedicated his life to the land and the people who work it. After earning degrees in agriculture and public policy, he took that hands-on knowledge to the halls of Congress, serving on the staff of the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture to help draft the federal Farm Bill.
He is the only candidate in this race with the hands-on agricultural foundation and federal policy experience necessary to make state government simpler, more transparent, and responsive to working families.
“Kids shouldn’t grow up believing food simply comes from a grocery store shelf. It comes from the soil, from hard work, and from a supply chain that must be protected. Food security is state security.”
The Three Pillars of a Resilient South Carolina
To build a climate-resilient, economically viable agricultural system, DeShawn laid out three foundational priorities for the Department of Agriculture:
- Investing in Local Infrastructure & Processors: South Carolina growers and foresters need regional processing, storage, and cold-chain facilities right here at home so our value-added products stay within our borders rather than being shipped out of state.
- Building Cooperative Partnerships: Agriculture must transition away from exploitative corporate monopolies and return to cooperative, community-centered models. We must build direct pipelines connecting local farmers to neighborhood restaurants, schools, and urban markets.
- Protecting Farmland & Securing Our Food Supply: Protecting open land is not just an environmental issue—it is an economic and national security imperative. Preserving working family farms ensures that our children inherit clean water, healthy soil, and sustainable nourishment.
The Power of the Many
DeShawn’s opponent’s campaign is funded by corporate agribusiness and partisan allegiances that prioritize profits over people. But true democratic change has never been bought from the top down; it is built by neighbors standing shoulder to shoulder from the ground up.
As DeShawn reminded the room on Monday evening: “The money doesn’t vote—the many do.”
Our campaign to flip this seat and deliver real leadership for South Carolina begins with your voice, your vote, and your investment in our grassroots infrastructure. Find out more about DeShawn Blanding and support his campaign here: https://www.blandingforsc.com/
Strengthening Our Foundation: Party Updates & Organizational Business
A political movement is only as strong as the organizational foundation beneath it. Before hearing from our candidates, we conducted essential party business to ensure our grassroots infrastructure remains energized, transparent, and ready for November.
Statewide Strategy & News from the SCDP
- First in the Nation: The Democratic National Committee has voted to approve the 2028 presidential nominating calendar, with South Carolina officially leading off the Democratic presidential primary process.
- Spratt Issues Conference: We’re excited to welcome Pete Buttigieg as the special guest for the 2026 SCDP Spratt Issues Conference! Join Democrats from across South Carolina on Saturday, August 22, in Florence for a day of meaningful conversations about the future of our state. 9:00 AM–2:00 PM. Tickets are just $ 30. Register today to reserve your spot! https://secure.actblue.com/donate/issuesconference26
Treasurer Update
If you’ve made a donation and haven’t received your Blue Spark t-shirt yet, contact Anne at treasurer@lexcodems.org to let her know your size. And if you haven’t donated yet, but want a t-shirt, you can still get one here: Get your t-shirt!
Membership Update
Precinct lists are available! If you’re a precinct leader or willing to make “get out the vote calls”, please contact Kathy at membership@lexcodems.org.
Volunteers Needed
We are tabling at several events and our candidates need help canvassing and making calls. If you want to do your part, please sign up on Mobilize to help. We actually have very little time left before early voting starts on Oct. 19, 2026.
Voices for Our Neighborhoods: Local State House Candidates Speak
Democracy is not spectator sport—it requires the courage to step into the arena and fight for our neighbors. We were proud to welcome several of our dedicated South Carolina House candidates, who shared their grassroots vision for responsive, common-sense leadership in Columbia.
Here was our line up. Click on any of them to learn more.
🤝 The Path Forward: Claim Your Place in the Movement
Change does not come from the top down; it is built block by block, precinct by precinct, by neighbors who choose to stand together. Whether you are ready to knock on doors, write postcards, support our local nominees, or attend our next gathering, there is an essential role for you in this work.
Verify Your Voter Status:
Make sure your voter registration is up to date and review your sample ballot through the official state election portal at scVOTES.gov.
Get Involved Locally:
Sign up for an upcoming canvassing or phone banking shift through our mobilize.
Join Our Next Meeting:
We gather monthly to organize, strategize, and build community. Stay tuned for details on our next general meeting by signing up for our newsletter!
