Christale Spain

Christale Spain
Chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party
Incumbent
Assumed office April 29, 2023
Preceded by	Trav Robertson
Personal details
Born	1976 or 1977 (age 47–48)
Political party	Democratic
Education	University of South Carolina Aiken (BA) Columbia College (MA)

Christale Spain is an American politician currently serving as Chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party, 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 where she became one of the institution's premier Women's Basketball Players, becoming the first player (male or female) in the university's history to score over 1000 career points and pull down over 1000 career rebounds.^[2] She also attended Columbia College, and is a member of the Zeta Phi Beta sorority.^[3]

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 was also the Senior Advisor for Black Engagement at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.^[4] She announced her campaign for state party chair in February 2023.^[5] Spain was endorsed by her predecessor Trav Robertson, as well as Jim Clyburn and Jaime Harrison.^[6] Her role meant overseeing the first scheduled Democratic Party presidential primary in South Carolina in February 2024.^[7] In July 2024, she endorsed the Kamala Harris 2024 presidential campaign.^[8] She gave South Carolinas votes during the ceremonial roll call at the 2024 Democratic National Convention.^[9]

Spain was widely quoted after the 2024 South Carolina general election produced a number of Democratic Party legislators losing their seats, and Republicans gaining a super majority in the South Carolina Senate^[10].^{[11] [12]}

References

1. 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.
2. "Individual Records". PacerSports.com. 2023-03-15. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
3. cmccurry (2023-03-08). "Biography". Christale Spain for SCDP Chair. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
4. "Spain is 1st Black woman to lead South Carolina Democrats". The Independent. 2023-04-29. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
5. Rome, Ashley (2023-02-20). "Christale Spain announces campaign launch for SCDP chair". WPDE. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
6. "Spain is 1st Black woman to lead South Carolina Democrats". AP NEWS. 2023-04-29. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
7. Shapero, Julia (2023-04-29). "South Carolina Democrats elect first Black woman to head state party". The Hill. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
8. McCabe, Luis (2024-07-22). "South Carolina DNC delegation officially endorses Kamala Harris for presidential race". foxcarolina.com. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
9. Mandler, C (August 21, 2024). "The DNC roll call featured a musical salute to each state. Here's what your state chose". NPR.
10. "Republicans flip seats to clinch supermajority in South Carolina Senate". WCBD News 2. 2024-11-06. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
11. Kenmore, Jessica Holdman, Abraham (2024-11-06). "SC Republicans celebrate red wave that gives GOP biggest advantage in 150 years • SC Daily Gazette". SC Daily Gazette. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
12. "Republicans rack up another good election night in South Carolina". AP News. 2024-11-06. Retrieved 2024-11-08.

Party political offices
Preceded by Trav Robertson	Chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party 2023–present	Incumbent