By Mike McCombs
The Island News
Beaufort County Councilman Logan Cunningham, who represents District 7 (Bluffton) south of the Broad River, has entered the race for the 1st Congressional seat currently held by Rep. Nancy Mace.
Cunningham, a Republican, announced his campaign on social media on Tuesday, Nov. 11, and officially made the announcement at a campaign event on Wednesday, Nov. 12.
With Mace running for Governor of South Carolina, the seat will be open. State Rep. Mark Smith of Daniel Island recently won a Republican straw poll among the current GOP candidates.
A graduate of Hilton Head Christian Academy, Cunningham earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from USC Beaufort and was an educator for three years.
Cunningham was first elected to County Council in 2021 and is serving his second term. He is the Vice-Chair of the County Council’s Finance, Administration, and Economic Development committee and the Chair of the Public Facility and Safety committee.
According to his website (logancunningham.com), Cunningham, a supporter of President Trump, “is a lifelong Lowcountry conservative, dedicated public servant, and the youngest member ever elected to Beaufort County Council. He is running for South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District to put the Lowcountry and America First, protecting the place we love, strengthening our economy, and restoring common-sense leadership in Washington.
“On County Council, Logan has delivered real results: lowering taxes, stopping irresponsible upzoning, passing the Green Space Referendum to protect our natural beauty, raising teacher pay, and fighting to keep our waterways open to everyone. He believes in securing the border, defending taxpayers, supporting law enforcement, and standing up for parents and families.
“Logan’s commitment is simple: protect the Lowcountry way of life, expand opportunities for working families, and bring energetic, accountable leadership to Congress. He’s ready to take the same proven, results-driven approach to Washington — because the Lowcountry deserves a representative who will fight for it every single day.”
Some other Republicans running for the open seat include Jay Byars of Dorchester County, Jack Ellison, Dr. Sam McCown of Mount Pleasant, Jenny Costa Honneycutt of Charleston, Bluffton’s Tyler Dykes, Mount Pleasant’s Alex Pelbath, and Navy veteran Justin Myers.
Mount Pleasant’s Mac Deford, Bluffton’s Mayra Rivera-Vazquez, Hanahan’s Max Diaz, and Bonneau’s Robert Lee Beers III are among the Democrats running for the seat.
Mike McCombs is the Editor of The Island News and can be reached at TheIslandNews@gmail.com.
