Kasie Whitener, a Libertarian from Blythewood, is seeking South Carolina’s U.S. Senate seat in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.
The state Election Commission lists Whitener, Democrat Annie Andrews, Republican Darline Graham and Constitution Party candidate Mark Hackett as active candidates.
Experience
According to her campaign biography, Whitener is a clinical assistant professor at the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business and outreach director of its Faber Entrepreneurship Center. She says she joined USC in 2017 after earning a doctorate in organization and management in 2014.
Her biography lists an English bachelor’s degree from Clemson University in 1999 and an English master’s degree from Winthrop University in 2004. It also describes her work as a business consultant, novelist and radio host, and her previous leadership of the Richland County Libertarian Party and South Carolina Writers Association.
On the issues
Her campaign platform calls for a balanced-budget amendment, a simpler tax code, changes to Social Security and Medicare for long-term sustainability, and a 5% reduction in federal spending across agencies.
She favors separating health insurance from employment, expanding market competition in medical care and removing barriers to entrepreneurs. She also calls for stronger oversight of the executive branch, ending foreign wars and protectionist policies, and immigration laws based on economic needs.
Her platform opposes new federal abortion laws or taxpayer spending on abortion and new restrictions on Second Amendment rights.
In a July interview with Live 5 News, Whitener supported the concept of voter identification requirements while expressing general opposition to federal mandates on states. She also said major spending areas, including defense and benefit programs, would require adjustments to address the debt.
Her campaign lists an endorsement from Jessica Ethridge, a 2022 lieutenant governor candidate.
