DeShawn Blanding is running as the Democratic nominee for South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. Also on the ballot are Cody Simpson (Republican), Chris Nelums (United Citizens) and Michael Sullens (Libertarian).

Blanding, 29, said in our candidate questionnaire that he believes he is "the most qualified person for the position." He said he was not initially seeking office: "When I got the call from the county party chair, I wasn't seeking elected office. I had actually just applied to graduate school a second time for a Doctoral degree in Theology!" He added: "The day I received my rejection letter from grad school is the day I got the call out of the blue." He said, "I am running because it is an opportunity for me to serve the public; I literally answered the call!"

The following profile is based on the candidate's responses to the Fort Mill-Tega Cay Times questionnaire and publicly available information. All policy positions and career claims are attributed to the candidate.

Candidate information

  • Age: 29
  • Party: Democratic
  • Family: "I am the proud son of the late Barbara Blanding and Carlton Blanding, my father who is still with us. My grandfather, Frederick Blanding, was the farmer I mentioned."
  • Education: "My undergraduate degree is in Agricultural and Environmental Systems with a concentration in Agribusiness. While working in Congress, I received my MA in Public Policy with a concentration in Philosophy and Social Policy from George Washington University."
  • Family in politics or government: "No! I am the first in my family!"

Experience and public service

Blanding described his work history in our questionnaire: "I have just begun the process of resuming farm operations on my grandfather's land; and I am also the Founder and President of AgQuity Solutions, a policy consultancy that helps for-profit and non-profit entities alike with respect to law. At my previous role at Union of Concerned Scientists, I was the Senior Washington Representative for the Food & Environment program where I advocated to Congress for safe, healthy food. Prior to that, I was a Congressional staffer myself - I worked in both the House and Senate."

Asked what accomplishments show he can handle the job, Blanding said: "After the election of 2022, I was one of the Democratic staffers retained after Congress became Republican. During that time, I led 6 of the 12 sections of the Federal Farm Bill negotiations. My team and I achieved bipartisan agreement on every single section ranging from local food systems, specialty crops, agricultural credit, Land Grant University funding, and rural development."

According to his campaign website, Blanding grew up in Silver and Manning, South Carolina, in Clarendon County, and said he is the grandson of a fourth-generation farmer.

On the issues

Farmland protection: Asked how he would protect farmland from development, Blanding said: "South Carolina was ranked the eighth-most threatened state in the nation because poorly-planned real estate development has placed farmland at risk … Less than one-third of South Carolina farms — 31.8 percent — had net positive income. The average farmer is nearly 60 years old, and family farms are disappearing." He outlined his proposals: "I will continue funding conservation easements, expand SC Farm Link to give greater access to land leasing … restore underutilized land, and start a new pilot program to support land transition from one generation to the next."

Federal experience applied locally: Asked how federal work would shape his approach, Blanding said: "Georgia and North Carolina support their local and small farmers better; they work hand-in-hand with their Land Grant Universities for research." He added that "SCDA is currently growing its capability after the Dept. of Health and Environmental Control was dissolved."

Differences from opponents: Blanding said: "My Republican opponent calls himself 'Trump's farmer.' Though I have federal experience, I left Washington, DC. I'm here for South Carolina's people first."

According to his campaign website, Blanding also proposes expanding state farmers markets, modernizing the Certified South Carolina Grown initiative and establishing community food hubs through partnerships with Clemson and South Carolina State universities.