About Representative Wendell Gilliard

Representative Wendell Gilliard

Lifelong Charlestonian. Community Leader. State Representative.

“Serving Charleston by putting people first and fighting for the resources our communities deserve.”

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Representative Wendell Gilliard speaking at a podium

Hometown Fighter

Lifelong Charleston Roots

Representative Wendell Gilliard has proudly called Charleston home his entire life. Born on July 1, 1954, to the late William and Sinclair Gilliard, he was raised on Charleston’s historic East Side, where faith, family, hard work, and service shaped the values that guide his leadership today. Growing up at 69 Harris Street, he learned that strong communities are built when neighbors look after one another. Those lessons became the foundation of his lifelong commitment to public service. Representative Gilliard is the proud father of April Sinclair Gilliard, Wendell G. Gilliard, and Keith Demon Gilliard, all of whom attended Charleston County public schools. He knows the neighborhoods, churches, schools, businesses, and families of District 111 because he has lived among them his entire life.

Born and Raised in Charleston

East Side Native

Proud Father of Three

Lifelong Community Advocate

State Representative Since 2008

A Lifelong Commitment to Charleston

Public service has always been about giving back to the community that shaped him.

Representative Gilliard began his elected service on Charleston City Council, where he served for 11 years advocating for safer neighborhoods, stronger economic development, improved housing, and better quality of life. In 2008, voters elected him to represent House District 111 in the South Carolina House of Representatives.

1954

Born in Charleston

East Side

Raised in a community of faith, family, and service

11 Years

Charleston City Council leadership

2008

Elected to the South Carolina House

2009–Present

Serving House District 111

Securing Resources. Strengthening Communities. Improving Lives.

More than $2.29 Million

Verified through official South Carolina budget appropriations.

Featured Funding Allocations

Workforce Training - Healthcare - 2nd Chances - Economic Development - Public Safety - Education

$1.4 Million

Florence Crittenton Programs of South Carolina

Supporting residential care, education, counseling, parenting education, and life-skills programs for pregnant and parenting young women and their infants.

Healthcare • Youth Services • Family Support

FY 2022–2023 — $500,000; FY 2023–2024 — $500,000; FY 2024–2025 — $400,000

$190,000

Fetter Health Care Network Mobile Medical Unit

Helping bring healthcare directly into underserved communities through expanded mobile medical services.

Healthcare Access

Verified State Appropriation

$500,000

Lions Vision Services

Supporting vision screenings, eye care, and treatment services for South Carolinians who otherwise could not afford care.

Healthcare

Verified State Appropriation

$200,000

Palmetto Hope Foundation

Supporting the Charleston Navigation Center and helping individuals experiencing homelessness transition toward permanent housing and stability.

Community Development • Housing

Verified State Appropriation

Areas of Impact

Healthcare — Expanding access through clinics, mobile care, vision services, and Medicaid advocacy.

Youth & Families — Supporting young parents, children, and family services that stabilize futures.

Affordable Housing — Fighting displacement and investing in pathways to permanent housing.

Public Safety — Leading on body cameras, hate crime accountability, and violence prevention.

Community Development — Directing resources toward neighborhoods, services, and stability.

Economic Opportunity — Supporting living wages, small businesses, and local opportunity.

Education — Centering public schools, training pathways, and youth opportunity.

Workforce Development — Connecting residents to skills, re-entry support, and good jobs.

Representative Gilliard believes every budget reflects a community’s priorities. Throughout his legislative career, he has fought to ensure Charleston receives investments that improve lives—not just for today, but for future generations.

“Every budget is about priorities. My priority has always been making sure District 111 receives the investments needed to strengthen our neighborhoods, support our families, and create opportunities for future generations.”

— Representative Wendell Gilliard

Serving Charleston. Delivering Results. Building the Future.

Explore the legislative record or contact Representative Gilliard’s team for help, ideas, and community priorities.

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Contact Representative Gilliard