Cody Simpson is the Republican candidate for South Carolina commissioner of agriculture in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.
The South Carolina State Election Commission lists four active candidates: Simpson, Democrat DeShawn Blanding, United Citizens candidate Chris Nelums and Libertarian Michael Sullens.
Experience
In his campaign biography, Simpson describes himself as a fifth-generation farmer from the Home Branch community in Clarendon County. He says he learned livestock production, crop farming and farm finances on his family’s farm.
The biography lists previous service as South Carolina state executive director of the USDA Farm Service Agency and as agriculture adviser and chief executive assistant to Gov. Henry McMaster. It also identifies him as a major in the South Carolina State Guard.
On the issues
His Farmers Coalition platform centers on three proposals: reducing regulations on farms and agribusiness, changing liability laws to protect agricultural producers while maintaining accountability, and reducing taxes on farms, land and agricultural businesses.
Simpson argues that simpler rules would let producers spend more time farming and that lower taxes would support rural businesses and jobs. These are his policy arguments, rather than independently established results.
His campaign also expresses support for Second Amendment rights and conservation work. It lists endorsements from Donald Trump and Henry McMaster.
