Linvill Announces Run for State House
C. Claiborne Linvill, a 20-year resident of Clemson, S.C., and a current elected member of Pickens County Council, announces her run for State House Representative for District 3. The long-time community volunteer and marketing professional will run as a Democrat for the seat representing Clemson, Central and Six Mile.
“I’m running to create positive change in South Carolina politics,” Linvill said. “I hope to shift focus away from culture wars and infighting to work on issues that actually improve folks’ lives: keeping life more affordable, improving local roads, and limiting government overreach.”
Linvill is starting her final year of a four-year term on Pickens County Council. In 2022, she was elected as the first Democrat in eight years and only the second woman since the council was founded. Previously, Linvill worked as the PR and Marketing Director of the South Carolina Botanical Garden and taught public relations classes at Clemson University. She is the founder and president of Rock Creek Communications, a marketing consultancy with clients at Clemson University and many Upstate-area businesses and nonprofits.
Linvill will be challenging the recent incumbent, Phillip Bowers, who will also likely have challengers in the Republican primary.
“People have grown weary of politics as usual around here. The Republican super-majority has not led to prosperity for most folks in my district. We need politicians working on attainable housing and childcare access, politicians who care more about improving lives than telling doctors and teachers how to do their jobs. It’s time for new energy, new voices, and a new focus on truly caring for our neighbors.”
Linvill serves on the board of the Appalachian Council of Governments; the policy board of Anderson/Clemson Area Transportation Study; the Land Use, Natural Resources and Transportation Policy Steering Committee of the S.C. Association of Counties; and the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce Child Care Coalition. She previously served on local nonprofit boards including the Community Foundation of Greater Clemson and the Episcopal Day School (Holy Trinity Clemson). She was a founding board member of Lakes & Bridges Charter School.
“My work with local nonprofits has helped me see firsthand that Pickens County needs to better serve the more than 15% of our neighbors who live below the poverty line. As a state representative, I will use my voice and my vote to advocate for attainable housing initiatives, improved access to healthcare and childcare, and better connections within our communities.”
Linvill is a graduate of the City of Clemson’s Leadership Clemson Class of 2015, the South Carolina Democratic Party’s James E. Clyburn Political Fellowship Class of 2021, and the Level 1 Institute of Government of the S.C. Association of Counties. She is married to Darren Linvill, a professor at Clemson University, and they have two teenaged daughters.
If needed, primary elections for this seat will be held on June 9, 2026. Statewide elections will take place on November 3, 2026.