A NEW, BLUE GENERATION
BOLD, LEADING, UNITED, ELECTABLE
The 2025 Young Democrats of South Carolina State Convention
The Young Democrats of South Carolina will hold our 2025 State Convention on June 28, 2025 at Allen University in Columbia, South Carolina. Elections will be held to fill the unexpired terms of the YDSC Executive Vice President and YDSC Secretary, and to elect seven Congressional District Representatives who will serve as Board members. All terms will expire on or shortly after April 13, 2026, upon the election of their successors. There will also be an opportunity to amend YDSC's governing documents, the Platform, and standing policies.
At the end of the Convention we will announce our Awards winners and the new Board officers.
CHARTERING AT CONVENTION
All Chapters must re-charter each year ahead of the State Convention. Caucuses that already chartered last year do not have to charter this year, but will need to next year. Members wishing to form a new Caucus at this Convention should submit a charter application at this Convention. Chapters must fill an updated Chartering Form, maintain a minimum membership, submit an updated membership and officer list (as well as hold chapter elections).
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Chapters and Prospective Caucuses are to submit their applications by Saturday, June 21 at 11:59 PM.
Executive Board Elections
This Convention will hold elections for the following offices, which will expire on April 13, 2026:
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Executive Vice President (unexpired term)
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Secretary (unexpired term)
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Seven Congressional District Representatives
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Filing for Executive Vice President and Secretary is now open and will close on Saturday, June 21 at 11:59 PM EDT. Members will break out into congressional district meetings at the Convention and elect Representatives there.
CONVENTION AWARDS
Each year, the Young Democrats of South Carolina give several awards for outstanding achievements to, or for, the organization. YDSC Members can nominate a person for an award. The Convention Committee will then select three nominees for each award, then the Executive Board and Executive Council will then choose the awardees.
YOUNG DEMOCRATS OF SOUTH CAROLINA AWARDS
Don Fowler Lifetime Achievement Award
Initially named for its first recipient, the late DNC Chair Don Fowler, the Fowler Award is given to a person who presented exceptional achievements to the Democratic Party, in state or nationally.
Aiken, 2016: Hon. Donald Fowler
Irmo, 2017: No awards
Columbia, 2018: No awards
Summerville, 2019: Congressman James E. Clyburn
Virtual, 2020: Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter
Virtual, 2021: Carol Fowler
Greenville, 2022: William Bilton, posthumously
Virtual, 2023: Bryanta Booker-Maxwell
West Columbia, 2024: Jay Parmley
Palmetto & Crescent Hall of Fame
This award recognizes those persons whose contributions to the Democratic Party and service to the Young Democrats of South Carolina have been significant, substantial, and long-standing. Initially given out in 2016 in Aiken.
Aiken, 2016: Ra Shad Frazier-Gaines
Irmo, 2017: No awards
Columbia, 2018: No awards
Summerville, 2019: Jaime Harrison
Virtual, 2020: Christale Spain
Virtual, 2021: Senator Mia McLeod
Greenville, 2022: Marcurius Byrd
Virtual, 2023: Trav Robertson
West Columbia, 2024: Greg Perry
Joseph Neal Elected Official of the Year
Honors an elected official at any level of government. This award honors an official that contributes significant work to the South Carolina Democratic Party and/or Democratic values. Posthumously renamed in 2019 in honor of its first recipient, the late Rep. Joe Neal of Richland County.
Aiken, 2016: Representative Joe Neal, Richland County
Irmo, 2017: No awards
Columbia, 2018: No awards
Summerville, 2019: Representative Marvin Pendarvis, Charleston County
Virtual, 2020: Councilwoman Shaterica Neal, Town of Gray Court
Virtual, 2021: Representative Dr. Jermaine Johnson, Richland County
Greenville, 2022: Representative Spencer Whetmore, Charleston County
Virtual, 2023: Representative Heather Bauer, Richland County
West Columbia, 2024: Representative Russell Ott, Calhoun County
President's Award for Advocacy
Given in the name of the YDSC President and in honor of previous presidents Austin Jackson, Jeni Atchley, Bree Maxwell, Mike Glymph, and Ra Shad Gaines, the President's Award is given to a person who exemplifies the action of advocacy in South Carolina, and an advocate for Democratic Party values.
Aiken, 2016: Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter
Irmo, 2017: No awards
Columbia, 2018: No awards
Summerville, 2019: Bryanta Booker-Maxwell
Virtual, 2020: Award withheld by the Executive Council
Virtual, 2021: Phillip Ford
Greenville, 2022: Emily Mayer
Virtual, 2023: Michelle Brandt
West Columbia, 2024: Ashlyn Preaux
Chapter of the Year & Caucus of the Year
The Chapter of the Year award is YDSC's first award. It is given to a Chartered Unit that goes above and beyond the call of duty by activating current members, recruiting new members, and increasing civic engagement in their areas.
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The Caucus of the Year award, when given, is given to a YDSC Caucus that goes above and beyond the call of duty by activating its members, recruiting new members, and increasing civic engagement with their constituency.
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Awards were split in 2021 after a caucus won Chapter of the Year in 2020. Caucus of the Year will not be given out in 2025.
CHAPTER OF THE YEAR:
Greenville, 2015: Greenville County Young Democrats
Aiken, 2016: Young Democrats of the Central Midlands
Irmo, 2017: No awards
Columbia, 2018: No awards
Summerville, 2019: Sea Islands Young Democrats (precursor to the Young Democrats of the Coastal Empire)
Virtual, 2020: YDSC Progressive Caucus
Virtual, 2021: Lowcountry Young Democrats
Greenville, 2022: Young Democrats of Greenville County
Virtual, 2023: Young Democrats of Greenville County
West Columbia, 2024: Young Democrats of the Central Midlands
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CAUCUS OF THE YEAR
Virtual, 2021: YDSC Women's Caucus
Greenville, 2022: YDSC Progressive Caucus
This award was not granted at the 2023 and 2024 conventions, and will not be granted in 2025.
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YDSC Member of the Year
Honors a YDSC Member who presents exceptional achievements and contributions to the work of their chapter and/or the organization as a whole. Initially granted in 2016.
Aiken, 2016: Marcurius Byrd, Young Democrats of the Central Midlands
Irmo, 2017: No awards
Columbia, 2018: No awards
Summerville, 2019: Austin Jackson, Young Democrats of the Central Midlands
Virtual, 2020: Micah Jenkins, Young Democrats of Anderson-Oconee-Pickens
Virtual, 2021: Brandi Matherly, Lowcountry Young Democrats
Greenville, 2022: Jeni Atchley, Lowcountry Young Democrats
Virtual, 2023: Emily Mayer, Young Democrats of the Coastal Empire
West Columbia, 2024: Marcurius Byrd, Young Democrats of the Central Midlands
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TRAILBLAZER AWARD
In 2023, an award was granted by the Convention Committee to award someone willing to take risks and start new initiatives. Someone willing to take a path that is not there, blazing a trail and leaving a path for others with the hope they too find the courage to step outside the box and create real, meaningful change.
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This award was granted in 2023 to Brandi Matherly of the Lowcountry Young Democrats.
CONVENTION SPONSORSHIPS
Help support the mission of YDSC by sponsoring the convention today! YDSC intends to raise $25,000 this year to grow our chapters and membership as well as to ensure that YDSC sends as many delegates to the YDA Convention in Philadelphia as we can.​Please make checks payable to the Young Democrats of South Carolina or YDSC and send them to the address at the footer of the site.