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.
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.
State representatives serve in their state's lower legislative chamber. Responsibilities include drafting and voting on state laws, representing their district's interests in the state capitol, serving on state committees, and shaping the state budget. State legislation covers areas like education, healthcare, transportation, criminal justice, and local taxation that directly affect residents' daily lives.