Clay sees a common thread in his life’s work: cultivation. Cultivating People, Solutions, and Results. A native of the Lowcountry, Clay is a father, husband, combat veteran, and servant leader. He grew up in Bayside Manor (now Bridgeview Village Apartments) in downtown Charleston, with roots extending across the Lowcountry, including Johns and Wadmalaw Islands.
Clay graduated from Burke High School and enrolled at The Citadel in 1999. While at The Citadel, he joined the South Carolina Army National Guard as a Private First Class on January 6, 2000. Upon graduating in 2003 with a degree in political science, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Signal Corps.
A combat veteran and Lieutenant Colonel, Clay serves as a Battalion Commander in the South Carolina Army National Guard and as a Managing Director at Mercury, a global public strategy firm. In addition to his degrees at The Citadel, Clay is a graduate of the United States Army Command and General Staff College and is currently in his final year of study at the United States Army War College. In addition to his combat and operational experiences during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Jump Start, and Operation Atlantic Resolve, Clay has mobilized for several state active-duty missions and served on the South Carolina National Guard Association Executive Council.
For his leadership and experience, President Barack Obama appointed Clay to serve the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the Corporation for National and Community Service, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the National Nuclear Security Administration. Clay also served as a long-time aide to Congressman Jim Clyburn, worked on the Biden-Harris Transition Team, and held senior roles with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Senator Cory Booker. He also served as the Director of Business Services for the City of Charleston, leading the Business & Neighborhood Services division.
Clay’s record of community, civic engagement, and public service has no boundaries, reflecting his belief that “to whom much is given, much is required.” Along with his wife Nicole, they established the Clay and Nicole Middleton Family Fund, C Student to C Suite, at the Coastal Community Foundation to provide need-based scholarships to local graduating high school students pursuing higher education.
Clay is a member of The Citadel Alumni Association Board of Directors, the Charleston Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Gothic Lodge #212 F&AM, and St. Luke R.E. Church. He is active in several organizations and serves on the Board of Directors of organizations dedicated to mentoring youth, providing access to capital for small business owners, supporting affordable housing initiatives, and providing essential services to veterans, military families, our seniors, and young people across the Lowcountry. His leadership and selfless service have earned him numerous awards and recognitions throughout his career, including the Bronze Star Medal.
Clay and Nicole live in Carolina Bay, in West Ashley, with their two energetic sons, Jeremiah and Joshua.
Shaping 116 Together
I’m running for office because I’m deeply invested in this community and its future, and I believe the people who live here deserve leadership that is present, accountable, and focused on real results. I want voters to know exactly where I stand on the issues that matter most and the specific, actionable steps I will take in office to move our community forward.
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With two young sons, my wife and I see every day how rising costs squeeze families. Groceries, health care, and property taxes keep going up, but our wages aren’t changing. District 116 cannot afford to price out the families that make it a community.
As your State Representative, I will:
Fight for good-paying jobs and housing that working families can actually afford
Work to cap annual increases in your home’s assessed value to prevent unexpected property tax hikes
Advance heirs’ property reform so families don’t lose land that has been in their name for generations
Support Medicaid expansion to reduce healthcare costs for our seniors and most vulnerable neighbors
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Rapid growth has outpaced the roads, drainage, and connectivity we rely on every day. Traffic is worse. Flooding is more frequent. Too many neighborhoods still lack safe sidewalks and lighting. We need infrastructure that keeps up with our community.
As your State Representative, I will:
Secure and protect funding to ensure critical road projects in District 116 are brought to fruition to reduce traffic and congestion
Work with partners at the city, county, and state levels to develop coordinated strategies that improve the quality of life for residents
Address flooding, connectivity, and walkability, particularly in rural areas, with reliable solutions such as sidewalks, improved lighting, and upgraded drainage
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As a father of two young boys and a product of the Charleston County School District, I believe every child deserves access to a high‑quality education in their neighborhood school. Parents should feel confident that our public schools are preparing students to reach their full potential and succeed in life.
As your State Representative, I will:
Keep taxpayer dollars in public schools, not private school vouchers
Fight for higher teacher pay and incentives that help recruit and retain the best educators for our children
Support transparent policies that promote student growth and achievement through a strong curriculum that reflects our community’s values
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Our region is growing rapidly, and responsible planning is essential to protect the character, culture, and quality of our communities. Development should benefit the people who already live here, not push them out.
As your State Representative, I will:
Require community benefits agreements for major development projects and hold developers accountable for improving your neighborhood and quality of life
Advance “Stay Put” initiatives and Community Development Corporations that help our long‑time residents stay in their homes, make repairs and upgrades, and resist rural gentrification
Reinforce and protect the Urban Growth Boundary to prevent overdevelopment and preserve our community’s character
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The Lowcountry’s natural beauty is one of our greatest treasures. District 116’s land and waterways define our way of life and drive our economy today and for generations to come.
As your State Representative, I will:
Protect our waterways, wetlands, and other critical natural resources
Advocate for local conservation and preservation initiatives that safeguard the natural resources we depend on today
Promote clean energy and environmental protection that strengthen our community
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What affects one part of our district affects us all. When one community struggles to access resources, faces long commutes to go short distances, or lacks essential services, the entire district feels it. We can turn the page:
From talking points to real solutions and opportunities
From division to the shared values that make us stronger
From ideology to a focus on quality of life
As your State Representative, I will:
Be responsive to the needs of you, your family, and our communities
Remain accessible and provide constituent services that reflect your concerns and priorities
Stand with you and fight for the issues that matter most to our community