William Scott Cogswell Jr. (born January 14, 1975) is an American politician and businessman who is the mayor of Charleston, South Carolina. A member of the Republican Party, he served from 2016 to 2022 in the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 110th District. Cogswell was elected mayor in 2023, defeating incumbent John Tecklenburg, and is Charleston's first Republican mayor since 1877.
Early life, family and education William Cogswell was born on January 14, 1975, in Charleston, South Carolina. He is a distant relative of Colonel Milton Cogswell, who was named a provisional mayor of Charleston in 1868.
Cogswell graduated from The University of the South at Sewanee, Tennessee, in 1997 with a Bachelor of Arts in history and English. He earned a Master of Science in Real Estate Development from Columbia Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation in 2003.https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-cogswell-55074519/
Political career
A member of the Republican Party, Cogswell served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 110th District from 2016 to 2022.
Cogswell was elected mayor on November 21, 2023, defeating incumbent John Tecklenburg in a runoff. He is Charleston's first Republican mayor since 1877.
Endorsements for Cogswell included South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, state representative Mark Smith, and state senator Larry Grooms. South Carolina Republican Party chair Drew McKissick said in a press statement that Cogswell's victory represented "shifting momentum", referencing Republican mayors elected in South Carolina's largest cities: Greenville, Columbia, and Charleston.
Cogswell endorsed Nikki Haley in the 2024 Republican presidential primaries.
On December 15, 2023, Cogswell announced his appointment of senior staff:
Elizabeth Applegate Dieck, chief of staff Logan McVey, chief policy officer Deja Knight McMillan, director of communications Wendell Gilliard, special advisor, quality of life and community outreach Mika Gadsden, special advisor, community and environmental initiatives.Kayanja, Ian (December 16, 2023). "Mayor-elect Cogswell announces diverse senior staff for Charleston leadership". WCIV-TV. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
Electoral history + South Carolina House of Representatives District 110YearCandidateVotesPctCandidateVotesPctCandidateVotesPctCandidateVotesPct2016 Republican Primary 1,051 34.4% 792 25.9% 626 20.5% 537 17.6%2016 Republican Primary Runoff 1,063 52.8% 951 47.2%2016 General Election 11,961 65.1% 6,416 34.9%2018 Republican Primary 1,722 46.3% 1,589 42.7% 411 11.0%2018 Republican Primary Runoff 2,214 58.7% 1,556 41.3%2018 General Election 9,264 55.1% 7,548 44.9% 9 0.0%
References
External links Charleston Mayoral Debate by WCBD-TV Mika & William interview by Charleston activist and former mayoral candidate Mika Gadsden Cogswell Sworn in as Mayor of Charleston by WCSC-TV