Commissioner of Agriculture of South Carolina · Election November 3, 2026 · Updated
Who should I vote for in the South Carolina commissioner of agriculture race?
Cody Simpson has the strongest record in the South Carolina commissioner of agriculture race. Cody Simpson scores 56 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 9, 2026. Cody Simpson's highest marks are relevant experience and roots in the constituency. DeShawn Blanding (5 of 15 criteria), Chris Nelums (0 of 15 criteria) and Michael Sullens (2 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Democratic
DeShawn Blanding
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 5 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 56
- Performance
- NR
United Citizens
Chris Nelums
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 0 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- NR
- Performance
- NR
Republican
Strongest record
Cody Simpson
56 / 100
Public evidence on 8 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 60
- Performance
- NR
Libertarian
Michael Sullens
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 2 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
DeShawn Blanding
- On the record2026-09-22
Told reporters on Sept. 22, 2026 his campaign centers on small and mid-sized farmers and a cooperative community agricultural system.
- Credit2017-02-09
The General Assembly adopted a resolution in February 2017 honoring his election as 2016-17 National FFA Southern Region vice president, the first South Carolinian on the national team since 1967.
- Credit
Worked as a policy staffer in Congress after studying agribusiness at North Carolina A&T State University.
Chris Nelums
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Cody Simpson
- On the record2026-05
Spent $404,000 before the primary to runoff opponent Danny Ford's $30,000, per preprimary reports.
- On the record2026-02-19
Launched his campaign Feb. 19, 2026 with stated priorities including protecting farmland from Chinese buyers, conservation, food supply chains and agricultural workforce development.
- Credit2025
Appointed in 2025 as South Carolina state executive director of the USDA Farm Service Agency.
- Credit
Served as agriculture adviser and chief executive assistant to Gov. Henry McMaster before the federal appointment.
Michael Sullens
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
DeShawn Blanding. No public record found.
Chris Nelums. No public record found.
Cody Simpson. Preprimary campaign finance reports filed in late May 2026 per The State. No ethics, court or campaign finance finding found.
Michael Sullens. No public record found.
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
DeShawn Blanding. No public record found.
Chris Nelums. No public record found.
Cody Simpson. No public record found.
Michael Sullens. No public record found.
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
DeShawn Blanding. No public record found.
Chris Nelums. No public record found.
Cody Simpson. No public record found.
Michael Sullens. No public record found.
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
DeShawn Blanding. Worked as a policy staffer in Congress and as a food and agriculture policy advocate, with no conduct finding found.
Chris Nelums. No public record found.
Cody Simpson. Agriculture adviser to the governor and then USDA Farm Service Agency state executive director with no conduct finding found.
Michael Sullens. No public record found.
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
DeShawn Blanding. No public record found.
Chris Nelums. No public record found.
Cody Simpson. Served as a presidential appointee leading the USDA Farm Service Agency in South Carolina (2025 to 2026); no official finding of misuse of office.
Michael Sullens. No public record found.
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
DeShawn Blanding. Agriculture policy career including congressional staff work; studied agribusiness; 2016-17 National FFA Southern Region vice president. No elected or senior government post.
Chris Nelums. No public record found.
Cody Simpson. Senior government posts: state executive director of the USDA Farm Service Agency and agriculture adviser to Gov. Henry McMaster; also a farmer.
Michael Sullens. Restaurant operator in Anderson, per his Ballotpedia survey.
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
DeShawn Blanding. Published positions in general terms centered on small and mid-sized farmers and a cooperative food system.
Chris Nelums. No public record found.
Cody Simpson. Published positions in general terms: cut regulations, find new revenue for small farmers, keep farmland from Chinese buyers, expand markets.
Michael Sullens. No public record found.
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
DeShawn Blanding. One channel: a campaign site with his plan headings. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Sources: Blanding campaign site, Ballotpedia, DeShawn Blanding
Chris Nelums. No public record found.
Cody Simpson. One channel: a campaign site with his positions. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Michael Sullens. One channel: completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.
Source: Ballotpedia, Michael Sullens
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
DeShawn Blanding. Grew up in Clarendon County. In-state donor share not available.
Chris Nelums. No public record found.
Cody Simpson. Grew up on his family's century farm in Clarendon County; fifth-generation farmer. In-state donor share not available.
Michael Sullens. No public record found.
Management
Can build and run an organization.
DeShawn Blanding. No public record found.
Chris Nelums. No public record found.
Cody Simpson. Led the Farm Service Agency's South Carolina operation; staff size not established. Campaign reports filed.
Michael Sullens. No public record found.
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
DeShawn Blanding. No public record found.
Chris Nelums. No public record found.
Cody Simpson. No public record found.
Michael Sullens. No public record found.
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
DeShawn Blanding. No public record found.
Chris Nelums. No public record found.
Cody Simpson. No public record found.
Michael Sullens. No public record found.
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
DeShawn Blanding. No public record found.
Chris Nelums. No public record found.
Cody Simpson. No public record found.
Michael Sullens. No public record found.
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
DeShawn Blanding. No public record found.
Chris Nelums. No public record found.
Cody Simpson. No public record found.
Michael Sullens. No public record found.
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
DeShawn Blanding. No public record found.
Chris Nelums. No public record found.
Cody Simpson. No public record found.
Michael Sullens. No public record found.
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 9, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in the South Carolina commissioner of agriculture race?
Cody Simpson has the strongest record in the South Carolina commissioner of agriculture race. Cody Simpson scores 56 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 9, 2026. Cody Simpson's highest marks are relevant experience and roots in the constituency. DeShawn Blanding (5 of 15 criteria), Chris Nelums (0 of 15 criteria) and Michael Sullens (2 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in the South Carolina commissioner of agriculture race in 2026?
DeShawn Blanding (Democratic), Chris Nelums (United Citizens), Cody Simpson (Republican), Michael Sullens (Libertarian). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is DeShawn Blanding a good candidate for Commissioner of Agriculture?
DeShawn Blanding has public evidence on 5 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Chris Nelums a good candidate for Commissioner of Agriculture?
Chris Nelums has public evidence on 0 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Cody Simpson a good candidate for Commissioner of Agriculture?
Cody Simpson scores 56 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 8 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 60 of 100, performance no record. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Michael Sullens a good candidate for Commissioner of Agriculture?
Michael Sullens has public evidence on 2 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every South Carolina race scored, and the South Carolina 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.