U.S. House of Representatives, District 5 (D): Andrew Clough, Mallory Dittmer
ANDREW CLOUGH
Why are you running?
I’m running because working families in South Carolina’s 5th District deserve leadership that understands their daily struggles. As a working-class airport ramp agent, I know what it means to work long hours and still feel the pressure of rising costs, health care expenses and economic uncertainty. I’m running to fight for affordable health care, stronger infrastructure, better wages, education and workforce development and a government that works for people — not just the wealthy and well-connected.
Have you run for political office before? If so, explain:
No. This is my first time running for public office. I decided to step forward because too many people feel ignored by career politicians, and I believe fresh leadership with real-world experience is needed.
How long have you lived in your district?
I currently live in Rock Hill and have built my life and work in this region. While I was not born and raised in the district, I have made this community my home and am deeply invested in its future.
Current job/profession:
Ramp agent with American Airlines at Charlotte Douglas International Airport
What makes you qualified for the seat?
I bring real working-class experience, not political insider status. I understand firsthand the challenges families face with inflation, health care costs, housing affordability and job security. My campaign is built on listening to people directly, walking neighborhoods and showing up in every county of the district. I believe representation should come from someone who understands everyday life, not just Washington politics.
What challenges/concerns do you see in your district (up to 3), and how do you intend to improve them?
- Cost of living and economic pressure – Families are working full-time and still falling behind. I support lowering health care costs, investing in infrastructure, strengthening domestic manufacturing and protecting good-paying jobs.
2. Health care access and affordability – Too many people delay care because of cost. I support stronger price transparency, prescription cost reductions and expanded access to affordable care in both rural and suburban communities.
3. Trust in government – People feel disconnected from leaders who don’t listen. I will prioritize transparency, accessibility and direct engagement with voters across all counties in SC-5.
What successes have you seen in your district that you want to build on?
Our district has strong communities, hardworking families, growing small businesses and major opportunities in manufacturing, logistics and education partnerships. I want to build on that momentum by supporting workforce training, local business growth and infrastructure improvements that keep our region competitive.
Are you actively involved in the community? How so?
Yes. I spend significant time canvassing neighborhoods, attending local events, meeting with community leaders and engaging directly with voters across the district. I believe being present matters. I also stay involved through labor and community conversations that connect directly to the needs of working families.
MALLORY DITTMER
Why are you running?
For too long, Washington has been paralyzed by partisan bickering and gridlock while the very real needs of families in Sumter County and across District 5 have gone unmet. I’m running to change that — to help mend our broken politics, bring living costs down, improve access to health care and protect public education. I’m running to prioritize people over party and results over rhetoric, to find commonsense solutions that actually make life better for us all.
Change isn’t easy — it will require real conversation, real commitment and real collaboration, but that is what I do best and what I am running to do! I am honored to be a candidate in this race.
Have you run for political office before? If so, explain:
While I have not run for elective office myself, I’ve been deeply involved in political advocacy and campaigns in York County and the state. In 2024, I helped manage local campaigns for moderate state House, Senate and school board candidates, succeeding in beating the far right in seven out of nine races. This experience taught me how to listen to voters, build winning coalitions and understand the specific challenges our district faces.
How long have you lived in your district?
My family and I made the decision to move to South Carolina in 2020, and it is the first place that truly feels like home since we left our native Midwest after college. Our family has planted deep roots in the warm and welcoming community of Fort Mill: my husband, Drew, found his "forever home" as an AP history teacher at one of the local public high schools, and I found our “forever village” through my work in campaigns and public education advocacy.
Current job/profession:
I own a small marketing consulting company, MBK Brands, and balance my business interests with work as a community advocate and co-founder of Community Advocates for Public Education (CAPE) York County.
My professional career began in the fashion industry, where I learned the art of negotiation, how to manage diverse teams and the importance of the bottom line. After 15 years as a corporate retail executive where I rose to the level of vice president, I felt a deep calling to find more meaningful work. Since 2022, I’ve dedicated myself to public service, using my management skills to run successful campaigns and help entrepreneurs launch successful businesses.
What makes you qualified for the seat?
At a time when Washington desperately needs less conflict and more cooperation, I’ll bring a unique blend of negotiating skills and nonpartisan advocacy to the job. During my career in the private sector, I negotiated complex contracts between parties with competing interests so that everyone came away feeling like a winner. As a co-founder of Community Advocates for Public Education, I brought people together in nonpartisan efforts to safeguard our public schools.
I’m not a career politician; I’m a creative problem solver who understands both boardroom and kitchen table budgets. I can compromise when it’s helpful, but I won’t bend to pressure from special interests. Most of all, I’m ready and eager to serve — I’ll work harder for the families of District 5 than anyone ever has!
What challenges/concerns do you see in your district (up to 3), and how do you intend to improve them?
Rising cost of living — When families are trapped in a daily struggle to pay the bills, there’s no room for planning, let alone dreaming, for the future. I’ll focus on economic policies that curb inflation and address the corporate and political greed that drives up the costs of housing and daily essentials. I’ll support raising the minimum wage, enacting fair tax and trade policies, lowering child care costs and making housing more affordable.
Attacks on public education — Our schools should be centers of excellence, not battlegrounds for partisan ideology. I will advocate for strong schools free from political interference, ensuring teachers have the resources they need to focus on student success. I’ll fight to protect funding for public schools, increase access to early childhood / pre-K programs and lower costs for college and vocational training.
Congressional gridlock — Our political system is designed for division. It might work for politicians in D.C. who like to grandstand for the cameras, but it doesn’t work for the people who sent them there. I intend to bypass the bickering by building a coalition of Democrats, Republicans and Independents focused on reasonable priorities and practical solutions that have broad consensus. Some specific policy goals include term limits, an end to partisan gerrymandering and limiting the role of billionaires and big business in government.
What successes have you seen in your district that you want to build on?
District 5 has a strong, enduring sense of community, and our most inspiring success stories spring from our commitment to each other. I’ve seen neighbors from all walks of life come together to support our local schools, small businesses and farms. That support encourages innovation and growth, even in the most challenging times.
One of the most dramatic examples is our agricultural sector, which is the backbone of South Carolina’s economy. Our family farms have shown remarkable resilience through initiatives like regenerative farming, smart irrigation and clean energy, but they face increasing pressure from rising costs, extreme weather and unstable markets. I’ll support them in Washington by fighting to lower input costs like fertilizer and seed, improve environmental infrastructure, address labor access and improve health care in rural areas.
Are you involved in the community? How so?
Yes, deeply. Beyond my role as a parent and a business owner, I co-founded Community Advocates for Public Education (CAPE) in York County. This nonpartisan group was born out of a need to protect our public schools from becoming hyper-politicized. My work there involves engaging with parents, educators and taxpayers to find common ground and ensure that our children’s safety and education remain non-negotiable priorities.