THE EXPERIENCE

TO GET THINGS DONE

Political

• Has represented Charleston for three terms in the South Carolina House where he is respected on both sides of the aisle for his pragmatic approach to governing
• Chairman of the Business and Commerce subcommittee. 
• Lead sponsor of the Vision to Learn bill, which gives free eye exams and prescription glasses to Title I schoolchildren 
• Sponsored Infrastructure Bill and the reauthorization and expansion of the Conservation Bank

Professional

• 25 years of running a successful business
• BA in History from Sewanee and MS in Real Estate from Columbia University 
• Proven track record of turning a vision into reality as evidenced by the conversion of abandoned buildings like the Cigar Factory, GARCo Mill and the Navy Yard into bustling city centers 
• Worked with the Riley Administration to create the first Workforce Housing project in Charleston
• Helped deliver a new social services center with access to public transportation under budget for Charleston County
• Converted a polluted property in North Charleston to a public park
  

A proven record of collaborative, innovative projects and legislation that affect real change in our community

VISION & LEADERSHIP

William has seen his hometown dramatically evolve during his lifetime. While some changes have resulted in real progress, Charleston is now faced with rising crime rates, insufficient infrastructure and a growing livability and affordability crisis.

More than ever before, Charleston needs real vision and strong leadership to stay ahead of our incoming challenges. We need new ideas that are grounded in reality, and we need a leader willing to accept responsibility and pivot when things don’t go according to plan.

Hard work and big ideas have been ingrained in William from an early age. His first real job as a young teenager was working in a tomato packing shed on Wadmalaw, and eventually started his own successful company renovating historic properties in his early twenties.

Throughout his career, he has always made time to give back. Besides serving in the Legislature, William has been active in the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, and the Urban Land Institute. He is also a current or past board member of the Library Society, Historic Charleston Foundation, and the Coastal Conservation League.

William and his wife, Lucile, have been happily married for 20 years. They live downtown with their two children, Mason and Meade and three Boykin Spaniels. They attend Grace Church and most weekends can be found out on the water in an old boat. William is the son of Edmund and Sally Rhett of James Island, and the late Scott Cogswell, who died when he was young in a car accident. His sisters, Sarah Hamlin Hastings and Katye Fayard, live with their families on James Island and in West Ashley, respectively. 

William offers the strong leadership that our city needs to move us forward.