Clay Middleton, a combat veteran, civic and community leader, and lifelong Charlestonian, today announced his candidacy to be the next mayor of Charleston. As of today’s announcement, Middleton will be running against incumbent John Tecklenburg and City Councilman Peter Shahid in the 2023 mayoral election.
Middleton grew up in Bayside Manor, attended the Charleston Catholic School, Burke High School, and graduated from The Citadel in 2003. Middleton is the former Director of Business Services for the City of Charleston and a longtime aide to Rep. Jim Clyburn. Clay was also appointed by President Barack Obama to serve as the associate – and then acting director – of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the Corporation for National and Community Service. A current public and government affairs executive, Middleton, has served 22 years in the SC Army National Guard and holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel serving as a Battalion Commander.
“Everything good that has been given to me has come through the city of Charleston,” Middleton said. “But currently, it's become a city I barely recognize. Charleston can and must be a city that works for everyone.”
Clay said that a “city working for everyone is a responsive government that addresses the needs of its people, invests in the future, protects and serves its citizens and property, inspires and nurtures innovation, encourages and fosters positive action, and leverages the whole of government to create public and private partnerships to be ready, responsive, relevant, and resilient.”
“I'm running because I believe I have something to offer a beloved community that gave me so much,” he said. “I'm running to solve problems and create opportunities to ensure our city's future is stronger because the quality of life for our residents, the opportunities for our youth and the value of our seniors is second to none. Every election is about the future. I believe we can provide the bold leadership that brings people together in order to ensure all people can be seen, heard, and thrive.”
“Charleston did not plan for life after gentrification and the further development that it brings,” he continued. “Our city needs both the vision and the leadership to achieve the mission of making Charleston an equitable city for all its residents. Livability does not have to be exclusive to a few and inconvenient for most. Residents and visitors can co-exist. We can have a city working for natives, visitors, developers, entrepreneurs, new residents, those from every social economic background, culture, and creed if we are united, focused, and motivated to do so. Sometimes improvement simply requires a new brick in an old foundation.”
Clay lives in West Ashley with his wife, Nicole, and their two sons, Jeremiah (7) and Joshua (5). You can learn more about his campaign at www.claymiddleton.com.
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