Cody Simpson Wins South Carolina Agriculture Commissioner

Simpson becomes the first new state agriculture commissioner in 22 years after winning the November election.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Agriculture

Wide photograph of open South Carolina farmland with a distant pine tree line and a lone grey grain silo under a pale sky. — Republican Cody Simpson won South Carolina's agriculture commissioner race in November, receiving about 52% of the vote over Democrat DeShawn Blanding. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Republican Cody Simpson won election as South Carolina agriculture commissioner, receiving about 52% of the vote to Democrat DeShawn Blanding's 46%. The results are unofficial figures from the state Election Commission.

Why it matters

The commissioner oversees the state Department of Agriculture, which promotes agribusiness, keeps the food supply safe and inspects places that sell food. Agribusiness is the state's top industry, with more than 260,000 jobs.

The state has more than 22,600 farms statewide, and agribusiness employs more than 260,000 people. Simpson's share of the vote was about 52%, while Blanding received about 46%.

The players

Cody Simpson

Simpson is a Republican fifth-generation farmer from Manning who previously served in Gov. Henry McMaster's office and as South Carolina's Farm Service Agency director.

DeShawn Blanding

Blanding is the Democratic candidate for South Carolina agriculture commissioner who lost the November race.

Hugh Weathers

Weathers is a Republican who served as South Carolina's longtime agriculture commissioner before retiring this year.

The details

Simpson is a fifth-generation farmer who advised Gov. Henry McMaster on agricultural issues after joining the governor's office in 2018. He left his post as U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency executive director for South Carolina in February to run, and had the endorsement of President Donald Trump before announcing his candidacy.

2018: Simpson joins Gov. Henry McMaster's office.
2025: Simpson leaves the governor's office and is appointed to a USDA position.
February 2026: Simpson leaves the USDA position to run for office.
November 4, 2026: Simpson is elected agriculture commissioner.

Roadmap

Simpson succeeds Hugh Weathers, who held the office for decades, marking a leadership transition at the state agency. His stated plans to move licensing and permitting online and to create a disaster preparedness office would shape how the agency serves farmers going forward.

Simpson has said he wants to put licensing and permitting systems online and help farmers obtain USDA certifications that allow them to sell products in more markets. Farmers may see changes to how state permits and certifications are handled once he takes office.

The takeaway

South Carolina's agriculture office is changing hands for the first time in 22 years, and the new commissioner's priorities on online permitting, disaster recovery and market access will directly affect farmers and food businesses across the state.