The following bios, listed alphabetically, have been provided by the campaigns and are reprinted exactly as provided by the candidates.

Joe Cunningham

Former Congressman and Democratic Nominee for Governor Joe Cunningham served South Carolina’s First Congressional District from 2019 to 2021. The first Democrat in over 40 years to represent SC-01, the Post and Courier called Joe’s win “the biggest upset in modern South Carolina history.” Joe’s public service has been defined by putting “country over party and people over politics,” and as governor he will continue to focus on bold solutions for everyday South Carolinians. Cunningham has released plans to raise teacher pay to record levels, make South Carolina a leader on voting rights, legalize marijuana, and fix our roads. 

Deborah Faulker

Download Judge Faulker’s bio and highlights.

Sheryl Guarniero

Sheryl is an active climate and social justice advocate. She walks her talk and that can be seen in her passion for the planet. She has dedicated the last 20 years of her professional career working as an Environmental Scientist and is the owner of GreenHer Earth, a disabled-owned, certified woman-owned, LGBTQ, and a B-Corp consulting business focused on climate and social justice. She has worked with non-profits, local, state and federal government, universities and private business which has taught her how to communicate across many platforms.

With such diverse experience, Sheryl understands the role that policy can have on outcomes in our communities. She advocates for environmental protection while working together with the community to allow for responsible development and ensure equal access to green spaces and solutions for underserved communities. Sheryl believes that People, the Planet and Profits can co-exist in a healthy way allowing for growth with Mother Earth in mind.

As a small business owner, Sheryl understands the importance of sustainability in business and the need for solutions for businesses of all sizes to protect our natural resources while being prosperous. This support is especially important for underserved businesses. It’s time to create a Greener, Cleaner world for the future.

She Wins, We Win.

Wendell Jones

Why Wendell Jones? He is….

• The father of three wonderful young adults: Aaliyah, Wendell and Benjamin
• Founder and Senior Pastor of Changing Your Mind Ministries (www.wearecym.org)
• Founder of The Wendell Jones Leadership Institute which trains and mentors minority business owners for the Greenville, Columbia, and Charleston Chambers of Commerce, and business coaching for corporations.
• Founder of CYM Leadership Academy providing after school and summer enrichment programs for the community
• Founder of Upstate Bible Institute created to train ministers and teachers of adult Christian curriculum
• Former owner of Nationwide Insurance offices in Spartanburg and Mauldin (2005-2018)
• Founder and owner of South Atlantic BioCleaning & Janitorial Services specializing in janitorial staffing, floor maintenance, and sanitizing against COVID
• Former Vice President of Wachovia Bank (now Wells Fargo)
• Graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill’s Executive Leadership Program
• Certified Entrepreneurial Trainer through the Kauffman Foundation
• Former board member of the Urban League of the Upstate, American Heart Association, and the Phillis Wheatley Association.
• Class of 2009 Liberty Fellows, a community of leaders chosen to make a lifelong commitment to creating a better future for all people in South Carolina (www.libertyfellowshipsc.org)
• 2021 Recipient of the South Carolina’s Order of the Silver Crescent, the state’s most prestigious service award.

Alan Mitchell

Alan Mitchell is a seasoned professional. He holds a degree in Architecture from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. He has extensive experience in facility management, construction procurement and purchasing, construction management consulting, urban planning, FEMA and HUD inspections, photography, and finance. He is a native of Greenville and is seeking the County Council District 23 seat.

Alan is currently appointed to the Greenville County Board of Tax Assessment Appeals, and is the President of the Nicholtown Neighborhood Association, Inc. (NNA). Prior to serving as the NNA President, he chaired the NNA Infrastructure Committee. His commitment to Greenville and its residents is evident in the work he has been able to accomplish during the last ten+ years. Most recently, working with Habitat for Humanity and several other notable agencies, he helped to spearhead the development of 29 single family homes in his community. The groundbreaking for this project occurred on February 1st. Additionally, the final stages of designing 113 affordable apartment units in his neighborhood is being

completed with an anticipated groundbreaking slated for later in 2022.

During his tenure at the Greenville Health System (now PRISMA Health) he worked as a construction procurement/ purchasing agent in the Facilities Development Department, and also helped to manage several healthcare and other essential construction projects.

Alan’s campaign platform is built on the fundamentals that have guided his civic engagement all his life; that is, improving infrastructure elements and systems that provide support and allow people to live safe, productive lives in the communities of their choice.

You can learn more about Alan Mitchell by visiting his website at alanmitchell-greenville23.com.

Michael Reitz

I’ve been in the Upstate for over a decade now and have seen and been a part of its growth. I have an engineering degree from Clemson and an MBA from Southern Wesleyan, and the Upstate has provided job opportunities and a beautiful place with welcoming neighbors to call home. I enjoy working on and driving around in the car I built, and duck hunting on Lake Cunningham. I aspire to represent for my community in the State House the values of women’s rights, a properly funded public school system, and investing in public infrastructure.

John Weibel

Marital Info:
Divorced once, now widower. 2 sons Austin M. and John C.  Retired Military: USAF 1974-1975. Vietnam Era DAV. Honorable discharge                             

Political Resume:
Candidate Greenville Co. School Board 1976.
Candidate Mauldin City Council 1977.
Candidate Mayor Of Greenville 1979.
Candidate House Seat 28 1986,1988.
Candidate House Seat 27,2012 , 2000
Candidate Greenville Co. Council 1994.
Political Director, Fowler for Congress 1992
Political Director, Dobson for Greenville City Council 1994
Political Director, Smith for House Seat 23 2001
Political Director, Smith for S.C. Senate Seat 9 2021
Editorialist: published for 45 years

Education:

USC 1990-1993.
Greenville Tech.- Assoc. Degree 1989

Issues: 

1) Road Money – Dist 28 needs every cent possible as South East part of Dist.is to the next Woodruff Road
2) Car Insurance – due to the pandemic and gas prices, we are driving a lot less therefore we should have a 20% reduction in premiums, for three years.
3) Duke Power – the time has come to reign in Duke and its influence peddling in order to hit us with rates and fees that have nothing to do with making power,our bills are clogged with them.