The Greenville Chamber issued candidate ratings for the two contested local races, the Mayoral race and a City Council At-Large seat. Ratings were based upon responses to business-related questions and in-person interviews conducted by local business leaders.

Following a thorough interview process, Mayor Knox White received an excellent rating with opponent Michelle Shain scoring as well-qualified. For the at-large position, Councilor Dorothy Dowe received an excellent rating and opponent Randall Fowler received a well-qualified rating.

Candidate scores are based on a 10-question written questionnaire and thorough in-person interviews with Greenville Chamber Business Advocacy volunteers and staff in early October. Questions covered the candidates’ positions on a variety of policy topics including transit, affordable housing, growth, intergovernmental collaboration and economic development. Strict adherence to Chamber policy positions is considered but not required.

“The Chamber has the utmost respect for any citizen who steps up to run for public office,” said Jason Zacher, Senior Vice President of Business Advocacy at the Greenville Chamber. “Each of the candidates we interviewed for our City elections impressed the panel in different areas. Our panel felt the City of Greenville is lucky to have qualified candidates on the ballot in November.”

The annual candidate qualification assessment is released to assist the business community in their decision to back a candidate. The Chamber does not endorse candidates.

The Chamber partnered with the Post & Courier Greenville on debates for these offices earlier in October. To learn more about the candidates, you can watch the video of those debates here: https://www.postandcourier.com/greenville/politics/watch-greenville-mayor-city-council-debate/article_4dcf0260-639b-11ee-98b5-efd32001fade.html.

Election Day is November 7, 2023.