Courtney McClain

Courtney McClain was born in South Carolina. She graduated from Spartanburg High School. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina, Columbia in 2023 and a graduate degree from Howard University. Her career experience includes working as an activist. She has been affiliated with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Courtney McClain is a nationally acclaimed civil rights advocate in South Carolina. She completed her bachelor's degree at the University of South Carolina in 2023 and her master's from Howard University in 2025. She has received training from the Clyburn Fellow Program, Emerge South Carolina Candidate Program, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Non-Violent Social Change. She has worked in Washington D.C. with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and Congressional Black Caucus Institute as an intern and fellow. She has lobby experience, speaking in both the South Carolina House of Representatives and Senate on issues of education, women's reproductive freedom, gun violence, voting rights, and criminal justice reform. She is the youngest and first Black woman to run for SC's fourth congressional district.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Tackling the Housing CrisisProtecting and Expanding Healthcare AccessFully Funding Public Education

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Voting rights, education, criminal justice reform, affordable housing, and healthcare

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress. Her boldness, integrity, and trailblazing leadership continue to inspire me. I hope to walk through the door she opened, carrying the legacy of “firsts” forward, and bringing that spirit of progress and possibility to South Carolina.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

As someone who has been a committed advocate since the age of 19, I believe the most essential qualities in an elected official are a deep understanding of the community they serve and an unwavering commitment to show up, especially in difficult times. Building genuine relationships through transparency and delivering on promises is not only key to effective leadership but also critical to fostering a more unified and less divisive democracy.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I hope to leave a lasting legacy of meaningful impact — one that opens doors for the next generation of leaders in politics.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The first historical event I remember was the election of President Barack Obama. I was in third grade at the time, and I vividly recall the excitement and hope my parents felt for the future. While I didn’t fully understand the profound significance of that moment at the time, I knew that something extraordinary had happened in our country.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Any book by Toni Morrison because of her unique tone and voice that transcends generations.

What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

Running for Congress.