Dear Neighbor,     

District 77 is my home. I was born and raised here in Columbia by a single-mom who instilled the importance of education, hard work, grit and determination.  At the age of 5, I was diagnosed with a speech impediment. It was then, that my mom changed the trajectory of her career and pursued a career as a speech therapist to assist me in overcoming that challenge. As a result of her willingness to go above and beyond to assist me, today I am able to speak clearly and confidently; turning what once was a weakness into strength and in the process, discovering the power of my voice. Throughout my life, I have chosen to use my voice to be an advocate for others and it is with a profound sense of humility that I announce my candidacy to serve as your Representative for South Carolina House District 77.

As a member of this community, I have used my voice to serve as an advocate and move our district forward. As a local NAACP activist, I led efforts that registered hundreds of new voters, organized and spoke at numerous rallies and political action events on matters ranging from education to social justice. As a college student leader, I led efforts that successfully registered over 1,000 new voters, addressed voter disenfranchisement and lobbied state lawmakers to make public education funding a greater priority. For three years, I served as a South Carolina public school teacher along the I-95 corridor. As an educator, I taught my students that they were capable of achieving anything that they put their minds to and that their zip code should not limit their future success.  These experiences, have equipped me with a unique perspective and have prepared me to serve as your voice and advocate in the South Carolina House of Representatives.

After proudly graduating from the Richland One public schools, I went on to complete studies at Winthrop University, Johns Hopkins University School of Education, and am currently enrolled at the University of South Carolina School of Law. My educator wife, Monique, along with my parents, Pastor John Baxter and Dr. Sonji Garvin Baxter, are also active and invested members of this district. My 9-year old sister Sonia attends the Richland School District Two public schools, and she keeps me up-to-date on everything that’s hip.

District 77 deserves an advocate at the State House leading the way on educational equity, economic development, health care expansion, and criminal justice reform. We need a true progressive leader that will champion safer neighborhoods, higher minimum wages, and focus on much needed repairs of bridges and roads within our community. This is why I passionately believe that voters should no longer have to settle for business as usual. As your representative, I will provide regular legislative updates and keep my finger on the pulse of the community so that I can be your voice and advocate. I am running in the Democratic Primary on June 12th, 2018 to represent District 77 as an honest, result-oriented, servant-leader, who will move our district forward and carry the torch of equity and equality.

I realize that the challenges within our district and state are great; however, I believe that our best days remain ahead of us.  I would love to hear from you with any ideas, suggestions, donations or to volunteer. Together, with courage, passion and commitment, we will win this race and launch a #NewDay77.

Onward,                                                             

Kambrell


Checks can be made payable to:                     

Kambrell Garvin for S.C. House                               

P.O. Box 292434                                               

Columbia, SC 29229


Show your support for this campaign by endorsing it and sharing why!

  • endorsed

    “This is an awesome guy. He has been a stand up person since he was a child. I'm not in his district but I still support his campaign. In my believe Kambrell Garvin will do the right thing in the House of Representatives. Proud of the foundation he has built.”

  • endorsed

    “I support Kambrell Garvin for SC House of Representatives because he is a compelling leader who cares deeply about issues that impact a whole community. Kambrell embodies the excellence and ambition necessary to create positive change within the state.”

  • endorsed

    “Im excited to vote for you! I know in my heart that you do a great job! I know that you stand for great things!”

  • endorsed

    “From the very first moment of meeting Kambrell, I knew there was something special about him. He was always such a genuine, caring and thoughtful person. From serving alongside him within the Winthrop chapter of NAACP as well as through collegiate years, he has always been someone that we all admire. His leadership is so astounding and he knows just how to show others how much he cares. There is not another person that I would rather endorse than my good friend!”

  • endorsed

    “I believe you will represent us well.”

  • endorsed

    “Kambrell has always been a leader and a force to be reckoned with since the day I met him in high school. I know this is the beginning of something great!”

  • endorsed

    “In the years that I’ve known Kambrell, he has always invested in his community and those around him. He exhibits both authenticity and transparency with issues impacted many. While his ability to lead is evident and incredible, what’s even more valued is his desire to serve and use his voice alongside others.”

  • endorsed

    “Kambrell is a one of a kind person. Having cross paths many times on campus during our college days, he ALWAYS made it a point to speak and genuinely ask about my day even when in a hurry. He has a great listening ear and a true servant's heart. I can not think of anyone better than to support!”

  • endorsed

    “One of the things I admire most about Kambrell is his genuine listening ear. You can tell him something about you once, and months later he will ask you about it in the most caring way long after you have forgotten. We need people in our government who will listen and who will care. Although I am now miles away, there is no one I would trust more with the future of my hometown community than Kambrell. He's going to listen. He's going to care. And he's going to make a difference.”

January 5, 2019

Ceremonial Swearing-In and Reception

Greetings Friends:

I hope that your New Year is off to a great start! You are invited to join my family and I on Friday, January 11th, 2019 at 12pm for a Ceremonial Swearing-In and Reception. The event will take place at the SC House Chambers (1100 Gervais Street, Columbia) with a reception to immediately follow at the Solomon Blatt Building. Let’s celebrate all that we accomplished together. 

See you soon,

Rep. Kambrell Garvin 

SC House District 77 

June 29, 2018

We Did It

Dear Friends – 

When I announced my candidacy on January 22nd, I did it with no money, no endorsements, no consultants, no high-level political campaign experience and very little name recognition. However, I had a strong resolve that even with all of the odds stacked against us, we would ultimately be victorious. 

Since middle school, I desired to one day serve my community as an elected official because I believed in the power of public service and being able to make the lives of those whom we represent better for our having been here. I started working in my community at a young age registering voters and encouraging civic engagement as a leader within the local NAACP. I watched my grandfather, who served as the first African American on his local city council, fearlessly stand up and speak out regarding issues that impacted the lives of those he served. His leadership inspired me to do the same. 

I strongly believed that with hard work and commitment – our message of a “new day” of hope and progress would resonate with voters. I knew that we had our work cut out for us because let’s face it – it is no easy feat to take on an entrenched incumbent. However, our team rose to the occasion and with very little fanfare we quietly accomplished what many considered to be impossible even just a few weeks ago. Plain and simple, there is no substitute for hard work. 

We ran a positive campaign and took our message to front porches and dining rooms from Hollywood Hills to Lincolnshire to Meadowlake to Blythewood to Blue Ridge Terrace and Folkstone too. Overwhelmingly, voters expressed a desire to have a strong voice at the State House advocating for their interest each day and wanted to see our community progress. 

This grassroots campaign was fueled by nearly 400 supporters who chipped in an average contribution amount of $25. Many individuals made countless sacrifices to give financial resources and time, simply because they believed in our vision and wanted to see us succeed. For their sacrifices, I will forever be grateful. 

I am humbled by the confidence and faith District 77 voters have placed in me. I look forward to continuing conversations with voters leading into the November General Election and beyond. I strongly believe that the best days are still ahead for our community. 

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Faith is taking the first step even when you can’t see the whole staircase.” For me, this campaign has truly been a demonstration of faith. For anyone who has ever been afraid to take that first step or who has ever doubted the power of believing in oneself, I hope this victory serves as motivation for you to make the impossible, possible. 

Sincerely, I am 

Kambrell Garvin  Democratic Nominee  SC House of Representatives District 77

June 13, 2018

Good News

Dear Friends, 

SC House District 77 voters sent a resounding message yesterday. Over 60% of citizens voted against the status quo. With your support, our campaign tied with a 20-year political incumbent for first place in a four-way race. It’s clear that residents are ready for change. 

Our campaign will enter a run-off on Tuesday, June 26th. We can win this race with the necessary resources. Please chip in today to help us reach our $13,000 online fundraising goal. Thanks for your continued support! 

Onward,
Kambrell 

April 19, 2018

Garvin trounces McEachern fundraising

Garvin trounces McEachern fundraising

Political newcomer raised nearly three times as much as longtime incumbent in SC House 77

COLUMBIA, SC – Democratic candidate Kambrell Garvin proved that his campaign to represent District 77 in the SC House of Representatives is the real deal this week announcing that he has raised over $20,000 since January, more money than all of his opponents combined.

“It’s incredibly humbling,” Garvin said. “From day one we knew people were frustrated and fed up with the empty promises and absentee leadership. We knew that people were hungry for a leader committed to raising wages, improving our schools and ensuring equal opportunity and justice for all. We knew people were ready for change, but we never expected this.”

According to disclosures filed with the State Ethics Commission, Garvin raised $19,316.89 in the first quarter of 2018 while his closest opponent, Rep. Joe McEachern, raised only $6,499.18.

That means Garvin raised three times as much as McEachern despite the incumbent being a 20-year political veteran giving Garvin significant momentum and making this the race to watch heading into the June 12 Democratic Primary.

Still, Garvin says he’s taking nothing for granted.

“We’re out there every day taking our message directly to the voters,” Garvin says. “This isn’t just a campaign. It’s a true grassroots movement for change and that’s how we’re going to win.”

For more information about Kambrell Garvin or his campaign for SC House District 77, please visit his website www.kambrellgarvin.com.

Media interested in contacting the candidate should email contact@kambrellgarvin.com or call 803-470-3961.

April 9, 2018

We can win this race.

Hi Friends,

I am extremely humbled by all of the support that our campaign has received so far. Thanks so much for believing and investing in our vision to bring positive change to South Carolina House District 77. Our campaign team has been working extremely hard over the past few months and voters have taken notice. Your support has enabled us to host a successful campaign kickoff event, purchase advertisement, mail thousands of letters and campaign literature, and purchase yard signs. We can win this race.

To help us maintain momentum and achieve our goal we ask for your continuous support. TODAY our campaign needs at least 40 donors to contribute $25 or more to help purchase several hundred more yard signs to keep up with the requested demand. Can you chip in?

Sincerely

Kambrell 

Campaign created!

Show your support for this campaign by endorsing it and sharing why!

  • endorsed

    “This is an awesome guy. He has been a stand up person since he was a child. I'm not in his district but I still support his campaign. In my believe Kambrell Garvin will do the right thing in the House of Representatives. Proud of the foundation he has built.”

  • endorsed

  • endorsed

    “I support Kambrell Garvin for SC House of Representatives because he is a compelling leader who cares deeply about issues that impact a whole community. Kambrell embodies the excellence and ambition necessary to create positive change within the state.”

  • endorsed

    “Im excited to vote for you! I know in my heart that you do a great job! I know that you stand for great things!”

  • endorsed

    “From the very first moment of meeting Kambrell, I knew there was something special about him. He was always such a genuine, caring and thoughtful person. From serving alongside him within the Winthrop chapter of NAACP as well as through collegiate years, he has always been someone that we all admire. His leadership is so astounding and he knows just how to show others how much he cares. There is not another person that I would rather endorse than my good friend!”

  • endorsed

  • endorsed

    “I believe you will represent us well.”

  • endorsed

    “Kambrell has always been a leader and a force to be reckoned with since the day I met him in high school. I know this is the beginning of something great!”

  • endorsed

    “In the years that I’ve known Kambrell, he has always invested in his community and those around him. He exhibits both authenticity and transparency with issues impacted many. While his ability to lead is evident and incredible, what’s even more valued is his desire to serve and use his voice alongside others.”

  • endorsed

    “Kambrell is a one of a kind person. Having cross paths many times on campus during our college days, he ALWAYS made it a point to speak and genuinely ask about my day even when in a hurry. He has a great listening ear and a true servant's heart. I can not think of anyone better than to support!”

  • endorsed

  • endorsed

    “One of the things I admire most about Kambrell is his genuine listening ear. You can tell him something about you once, and months later he will ask you about it in the most caring way long after you have forgotten. We need people in our government who will listen and who will care. Although I am now miles away, there is no one I would trust more with the future of my hometown community than Kambrell. He's going to listen. He's going to care. And he's going to make a difference.”