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D Democratic · U.S. House 4, South Carolina · Nov 3, 2026

Courtney
McClain

Democratic challenger Courtney McClain seeks South Carolina's 4th Congressional District seat in 2026

Researched checked 6 d ago
sources
12
positions
12
endorsements
4
mcclainforsc.com ↗(opens in a new tab) Other(opens in a new tab)
Opponents William Richardson Timmons, IV R+ 1 more Compare race →

Background

Courtney McClain is the 2026 Democratic challenger for South Carolina's 4th Congressional District, seeking to unseat Republican incumbent William Timmons. 1218 Born and raised in Spartanburg, South Carolina, she earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and communications from the University of South Carolina (graduating 2023) and a master's degree in political science from Howard University (graduating 2025), with a focus on American government, politics and policy. 18

McClain's public-service experience includes serving as president of the South Carolina NAACP Youth and College Division, working as a legislative page in the South Carolina House, and participating in the Clyburn Fellowship's Class of 2022. 1 Her professional background spans civil-rights advocacy, policy, communications, grassroots organizing and lobbying, including a Fannie Lou Hamer Government Relations Fellowship with the Congressional Black Caucus Institute, work in Toyota North America's Government Affairs Office, a fellowship with the HBCU Green Fund, and an internship with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. 1

She has been described as a potentially historic candidate in the 4th Congressional District race and received the endorsement of Indivisible Upstate SC ahead of the November 3, 2026 general election. 28 Her campaign has focused on issues including healthcare affordability, data centers, and economic concerns for the Upstate region. 14

At a glance

Party
Democratic
Running for
U.S. House · District 4, South Carolina
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Current office
Executive Chair, South Carolina Youth Works
Website
mcclainforsc.com(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.

Timeline

  1. Oct 9
    debate
    Post and Courier and Greenville News report debate details on healthcare, data centers, and Iran

    Post-debate coverage detailed the candidates' exchanges on healthcare spending, data-center development, and the War in Iran. McClain criticized Timmons's attendance record at local meetings; Timmons said he had been in Washington and with the National Guard. These are candidates' claims, not independent findings.

    Timmons, McClain face off in debate for Upstate House seat · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Oct 8
    debate
    McClain and Timmons debate live on FOX Carolina, clashing on healthcare and data centers

    McClain and Timmons held their first televised debate on FOX Carolina. McClain supported Medicare-for-All while acknowledging SC's hospital system wasn't ready for it, and backed a moratorium on data-center development, criticizing Timmons for missing local meetings on the issue. Timmons disputed her claims and criticized her healthcare proposal.

    William Timmons, Courtney McClain face off in Congressional Debate · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Oct 7
    news
    Greenville News publishes McClain's platform details: housing, tariffs, data-center moratorium

    The Greenville News, citing her campaign website, reported McClain's proposals including restricting corporate landlords from buying single-family homes, capping rents, converting vacant buildings to affordable housing, lowering tariffs, a data-center moratorium, and fully funding the ACA.

    Meet the 6 candidates running to represent the Upstate in Congress · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Sep 30
    filing
    FEC filings show McClain raised $100,000, with $31,000 cash on hand, vs. Timmons's $1.6M

    An election tracker summarizing FEC filings through September 30 reported McClain's campaign had raised $100,000, spent $69,000, and held $31,000 in cash. Timmons had raised $1.6 million, spent $1.5 million, and had $77,000 in cash. Figures cover candidate committees only.

    South Carolina's 4th district · 2026 election | ChamberLight · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Sep 29
    news
    FOX Carolina airs one-on-one interview with McClain as SC Democratic nominee for Congress

    FOX Carolina featured McClain in a one-on-one interview as the Democratic nominee for South Carolina's 4th Congressional District.

    One on one with SC Democratic nominee for Congress · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Sep 26
    endorsement
    Indivisible Upstate SC endorses Courtney McClain for SC's 4th Congressional District

    The local progressive group announced its endorsement of McClain after she completed its application and review process. The group noted that incumbent Timmons and Libertarian candidate Jessica Ethridge did not respond to its information request.

    IUSC Endorses Courtney McClain for South Carolina’s 4th Congressional District | Indivisible Upstate SC · Sep 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  7. Sep 18
    news
    McClain outlines 'Upstate first' agenda at Greenville prayer breakfast

    McClain described her policy priorities at a Greenville prayer breakfast, including fully funding Medicaid and the ACA, investment in affordable housing over luxury apartments, and restoring funding to the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

    SC governor candidate Jermaine Johnson brings faith tour to Greenville · Sep 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • Higher Heights for America PAC organization
    The PAC's 2026 endorsements page says it "proudly endorses Courtney McClain for U.S. House of Representatives (SC-04)." higherheightsforamericapac.org
  • Future Democrats organization
    The organization's endorsements page lists "Courtney McClain — D | SC - US House." futuredems.org
  • Indivisible Upstate SC organization
    The chapter announced its endorsement after McClain completed its application and review process. indivisibleupstatesc.org · Sep 26, 2026
  • South Carolina Working Families Party organization
    The party announced a slate of South Carolina endorsements that included McClain for SC-04. workingfamilies.org · Jul 8, 2026

Campaign finance

Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.

Raised
$100K
Spent
$69K
Cash on hand
$31K

As of Sep 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6SC04171(opens in a new tab)

Sources 12

  1. [1] Courtney McClain, William Timmons spar over healthcare, data ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
  2. [2] Timmons, McClain face off in debate for Upstate House seat(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
  3. [3] William Timmons, Courtney McClain face off in Congressional Debate(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
  4. [4] Meet the 6 candidates running to represent the Upstate in Congress(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
  5. [5] South Carolina's 4th district · 2026 election | ChamberLight(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
  6. [6] One on one with SC Democratic nominee for Congress(opens in a new tab) Sep 29, 2026
  7. [7] IUSC Endorses Courtney McClain for South Carolina’s 4th Congressional District | Indivisible Upstate SC(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2026
  8. [8] 2026 Endorsements -Higher Heights for America PAC(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
  9. [9] SC governor candidate Jermaine Johnson brings faith tour to Greenville(opens in a new tab) Sep 18, 2026
  10. [10] WFP Launches Effort To Recruit 1000 Candidates Across ...(opens in a new tab) Jul 9, 2026
  11. [11] Endorsements - Future Democrats(opens in a new tab) Jun 26, 2026
  12. [12] Issues(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2025
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