Born and raised in Charleston, Mary has grown up with politics in her blood and a desire to serve her community. She grew up in West Ashley, attending Ashley River Creative Arts, Buist Academy and finally Ashley Hall before matriculating on to Rhodes College in Memphis, TN. There, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Art History and Spanish in 2002.

 

Mary lived in Washington, DC for a number of years, immersing herself in art and politics before returning to the south to attend Auburn University where she received a Master in Business Administration in 2009. While at Auburn, Mary served as the President of the Graduate Business School, was named a Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities and won the sole award given to a graduate business student by her peers based on leadership.

 

Following business school, Mary worked as a Logistics Manager for an import/export company in Birmingham, Alabama, yet Charleston ultimately drew her back. As home often does.

 

Shortly after returning to Charleston, Mary managed her father’s 2012 South Carolina Senate race and remained closely involved in local politics before deciding to run for office herself in 2012.  Mary has served for the last two years in the South Carolina House of Representatives, representing parts of Charleston and Dorchester counties. She has also been working as a Realtor and Property Manager when not in Columbia.

 

She has been involved with the Junior League of Charleston, has served on Ashley Hall’s Alumni Board since 2013 and has been active in volunteering with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Mary was honored with their award for Best & Brightest in 2013.

 

When not campaigning, Mary can be found enjoying the outdoors (and anything to do with water), eating her way through the lowcountry and spending time with family, friends and her two dogs, Cornbread and Moose.