Republican Cody Simpson Campaigned in Little River

The agriculture commissioner nominee visited the coastal town as the general election approaches.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Agriculture

Republican Cody Simpson Campaigned in Little River

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Republican agriculture commissioner nominee Cody Simpson continued his state-wide outreach with a recent campaign stop in Little River. Simpson is seeking to succeed retiring Commissioner Hugh E. Weathers in the November 3, 2026, election.

Why it matters

The race for agriculture commissioner remains critical for South Carolina, a state where voters directly elect the official to oversee agricultural interests. Simpson emphasizes his background as a fifth-generation farmer and his previous USDA service as core qualifications for the role.

Cody Simpson secured his party's nomination with 62.58% of the vote in the June primary runoff. His campaign has logged 42,000 miles across the state to reach voters in all counties.

The players

Cody Simpson

He is the Republican nominee for South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture and a fifth-generation farmer.

Hugh E. Weathers

He is the current Commissioner of Agriculture who has held the office since 2004 and intends to retire.

DeShawn Blanding

He is a candidate for South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture who raised over $32,000 for his campaign.

Danny Ford II

He was the Republican opponent who competed against Cody Simpson in the primary runoff.

The details

Simpson, who previously led the South Carolina State Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency, utilized an SUV to visit every county in the state. He defeated Danny Ford II in the Republican primary runoff to advance to the general election ballot.

The last Democrat won a statewide election in South Carolina in 1998.
Hugh E. Weathers has served as Commissioner of Agriculture since September 2004.
Cody Simpson won the Republican primary runoff in June 2026.
Cody Simpson campaigned in Little River on October 13, 2026.
The South Carolina general election occurs on November 3, 2026.

Market Landscape

The race follows the historical trend of South Carolina statewide election outcomes since 1998. This contest marks a high-stakes transition as the state elects one of the few agriculture commissioners in the country.

Voters will decide the state's top agriculture official in the upcoming November 3 general election. The outcome will determine who succeeds the long-serving Commissioner and sets the state's agricultural policy agenda.

The takeaway

With the retirement of the incumbent, the agriculture commissioner position is transitioning to new leadership for the first time in over two decades. Residents can prepare for the election by reviewing the candidates' professional backgrounds and fundraising reports.