COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina State Rep. Michael F. Rivers Sr. (pictured), the incoming chairman of the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus, has endorsed Brandon Brown in the Democratic race for the U.S. Senate, citing shared commitments to education, faith, and service to working families.
Rivers, a graduate of Claflin University, said Brown’s background and values align with the needs of South Carolina voters.
“Brandon Brown understands that education is the great equalizer and that our faith calls us to fight for the least of these,” Rivers said. “He has the leadership South Carolina needs in the United States Senate.”
Claflin University also holds personal significance for Brown. His mother is a Claflin graduate, and the university gave Brown his first job out of college, launching his career in education and higher-education leadership.
Rivers served on the Beaufort County School Board from 1998 to 2017 before joining the South Carolina House, where he has focused on education and community issues and is set to lead the Legislative Black Caucus.
“I’m honored to earn Rep. Rivers’ support,” Brown said. “Our shared belief in the power of education and faith-driven service is at the heart of this campaign.”
The endorsement comes as recent polling shows Brown leading the Democratic primary field by double digits among Black voters, a key voting bloc in both the primary and general election in South Carolina.
Brown is seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham in the 2026 general election.