Christale Spain
Christale Spain | |
|---|---|
| Chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party | |
| Assumed office April 29, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Trav Robertson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1976 or 1977 (age 49–50) |
| Party | Democratic |
| Education | University of South Carolina Aiken (BA) Columbia College (MA) |
Christale Spain is an American political organizer. She has served as chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party since 2023, and is the first Black woman to hold the role.[1]
Education
Spain graduated from W. J. Keenan High School in Columbia, South Carolina. She then attended the University of South Carolina Aiken and played on the women's basketball team. Spain holds records for the most field goals, most field goals attempted, most rebounds, and highest rebounding average in the team's history.[2]
She also attended Columbia College, and is a member of the Zeta Phi Beta sorority.
Political career
Spain worked as political director for the Bernie Sanders 2016 presidential campaign and was state director for the Cory Booker 2020 presidential campaign. She also helped lead Black voter engagement during the 2022 midterms for the Democratic Party.[3]
State party chair
Spain announced her campaign for state party chair in February 2023.[4] Spain was endorsed by her predecessor Trav Robertson, as well as Jim Clyburn and Jaime Harrison.[5] Her role meant overseeing the first scheduled Democratic Party presidential primary in South Carolina in February 2024.[6]
In July 2024, Spain endorsed the Kamala Harris 2024 presidential campaign.[7] She gave South Carolina's votes during the ceremonial roll call at the 2024 Democratic National Convention.[8] Under Spain's leadership, the South Carolina Democratic Party put forth a candidate in elections for every constitutional office and House seat in 2026, following decades of gaps in various elections.[9]
References
- ↑ King, Maya (2023-04-29). "South Carolina Democrats Elect First Black Woman to Run State Party". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
- ↑ "Individual Records". PacerSports.com. 2023-03-15. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
- ↑ "Spain is 1st Black woman to lead South Carolina Democrats". The Independent. 2023-04-29. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
- ↑ Rome, Ashley (2023-02-20). "Christale Spain announces campaign launch for SCDP chair". WPDE. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
- ↑ "Spain is 1st Black woman to lead South Carolina Democrats". AP NEWS. 2023-04-29. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
- ↑ Shapero, Julia (2023-04-29). "South Carolina Democrats elect first Black woman to head state party". The Hill. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
- ↑ McCabe, Luis (2024-07-22). "South Carolina DNC delegation officially endorses Kamala Harris for presidential race". foxcarolina.com. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
- ↑ Mandler, C (August 21, 2024). "The DNC roll call featured a musical salute to each state. Here's what your state chose". NPR.
- ↑ Ashford, A (March 31, 2026). "'A real choice': Democrats celebrate full slate of candidates for SC ballots". News From The States. Retrieved 2026-05-22.
- 1970s births
- 21st-century South Carolina politicians
- 21st-century American women politicians
- 21st-century African-American women politicians
- 21st-century African-American politicians
- American political consultants
- Women political consultants
- Bernie Sanders 2016 presidential campaign
- Columbia College (South Carolina) alumni
- Living people
- South Carolina Democrats
- State political party chairs of South Carolina
- University of South Carolina Aiken alumni
- USC Aiken Pacers athletes
- USC Aiken Pacers women's basketball players