COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Libertarian Party (SCLP) held its 2026 Nominating Convention yesterday at 1314 Rosewood Drive in Columbia, officially nominating 11 candidates for federal and state office across South Carolina. The slate spans a U.S. Senate race, three U.S. House districts, the Commissioner of Agriculture, and six South Carolina House districts — representing one of the most comprehensive ballot presences the party has achieved in recent cycles.
The nominees were confirmed by Libertarian delegates gathered from across the state, completing a candidate-filing season that closed on March 30, 2026. All 11 nominees are officially filed and on the November 3, 2026, general election ballot.
2026 Official SCLP Nominees
U.S. Senate
Kasie Whitener — kasiesouthcarolina.com
U.S. House, District 1
Bill Reeside — reesideforcongress.com
U.S. House, District 3
Brian Corriea — brianforliberty.com
U.S. House, District 4
Jessica Ethridge
Commissioner of Agriculture
Michael Sullens
SC House, District 2
Chris Des Marais
SC House, District 15
Melissa Couture
SC House, District 61
David Herndon
SC House, District 69
Allen Broadus
SC House, District 75
Josh Parks
SC House, District 78
Angelo Joyner
Statement from SCLP Chair Derek Williams
“Today’s convention reflects a growing demand for real political choice in South Carolina. With eleven Libertarian candidates on the ballot, voters across the state will hear a clear case for smaller government, lower taxes, and individual freedom. For too long, South Carolina has been governed by a two-party duopoly that promises reform but continues to grow government and limit competition. South Carolinians deserve more than the same failed choices. They deserve a party that trusts people to run their own lives, and that is exactly what the Libertarian Party offers. We are proud of every nominee who stepped forward to carry that message in 2026.”
— Derek Williams, Chair, South Carolina Libertarian Party
Statement from Campaigns Committee Chair Melissa Couture
“This cycle, South Carolina voters up and down the ballot will have a Libertarian option — and that matters. Republicans and Democrats will tell you the only way to vote is for one of them. We disagree. When both major parties are growing government, expanding spending, and trading your personal freedoms for political convenience, a vote for either tells them you approve of what they are doing. Our candidates are on the ballot to show South Carolinians there is another way: trust people with their own lives, limit government to what it was actually designed to do, and stop treating taxpayers like a resource to be harvested. I’m proud to be running in House District 15 alongside ten fellow nominees who believe the same.”
— Melissa Couture, Campaigns Committee Chair and State Second Vice Chair, South Carolina Libertarian Party
About the South Carolina Libertarian Party
The South Carolina Libertarian Party is the state affiliate of the Libertarian Party, the third-largest political party in the United States. The SCLP works to educate South Carolinians on the principles of individual liberty, limited government, and free markets; recruit and support candidates for public office; and expand voter choice at every level of government. To learn more, visit SCLP.org.
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