Mayor of Charleston Candidate Raises the Bar

Debra Gammons is Running for Mayor

CHARLESTON, SC April 11, 2023 – South Carolina native and attorney, Debra J. Gammons will announce her candidacy for Mayor of Charleston on Tuesday, April 11th, at 12:30 p.m., at the College of Charleston Stern Center Gardens (corner of Glebe Street and George Street). Gammons is a proud Lowcountry resident who will focus on maintaining the beautiful city, further protecting residents and visitors against flooding while increasing public safety, and instilling pride throughout the citizenry. Debra Gammons has a clear vision and a strong strategic plan for the inclusion of all residents toward a safe, clean, and walkable city to live, work, and thrive. She aims to work with all who live within the city limits – the peninsula, West of the Ashley, Johns Island, James Island, and Daniel Island. Service to others is a mainstay of Gammons’ life. She currently serves as a Distinguished Visiting Professor and the Director of the Office of Diversity Initiatives at Charleston School of Law, where she began in 2009. She has her own private law practice and enjoys working with people to bring about positive changes in their lives. She began her law career as Assistant Solicitor in the Ninth Circuit Solicitor’s Office; then, moved to the Upstate and served as Assistant City Attorney for Greenville. Debra has served as President of the Greenville County Bar Association and the Charleston County Bar Association. A former College of Charleston Board of Trustee, College of Charleston Friends of the Library Board Chairperson, and former Commissioner for the South Carolina Supreme Court Commission on Lawyer Conduct – her current roles include serving as Treasurer of Second Presbyterian Church, on the Trinity Montessori School Board of Directors, as member of The Charleston Forum, College of Charleston African American Studies Advisory Board, and the College of Charleston Graduate School Advisory Board. Along with teaching classes (Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, Street Law), Gammons works with law students in other ways by serving as Faculty Advisor for Women in Law, the Latina/Latino Law Students Association, the Second Amendment Association, First Generation Law Students Association, and as Co-Faculty Advisor for the Black Law Students Association. Living a life of service with a passion for equality and fairness for everyone, Debra advocates for equality and education – along with her 20 years of experience as an attorney – this means that Charleston residents can feel confident entrusting this promising leader to sincerely care about them. “When I was eight years old, I wanted to be President of the United States of America and I wanted to be a lawyer. I wanted to create positive changes in my country. My being a girl and my having brown skin did not hinder my desire to help people and to be a catalyst for change,” Gammons said. “My Mom, my Grandmother, my Uncles, and my Aunts instilled in me strength and tenacity. They had a ‘can do’ spirit. My teachers and professors expected me to do my best. I am super grateful to live in the best country in the world and to be able to run for this office and continue to serve people in one of the most beautiful places in the world. As Mayor, I will continue to demand and work for equality, fairness, and inclusion. We can create a better Charleston now and for all.” Gammons currently resides on Daniel Island with her husband, Brian McQueen – a veteran who served as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division. Their daughter and son-in-law, and their three beautiful children live in North Charleston. With lifelong ties to the community of Charleston and her stalwart public service, Debra’s consistent and honest drive is to ensure that all Charlestonians have equal access to everything that our amazing city has to offer. You may find out more about Debra Gammons and follow her campaign by visiting her website: GammonsforMayor.com April 11, 2023, 12:30 p.m. College of Charleston Stern Center Gardens 71 George Street Charleston 29401