AT A GLANCE
Party: Republican
Age: Not publicly confirmed
Hometown: Charleston County, S.C.
Current Title: Businessman; Founder, DOGESC
Campaign Website: romreddy.com
BACKGROUND & BIOGRAPHY
Rom Reddy is a first-generation American who immigrated legally to the United States from India as a student approximately 50 years ago. At the April 21 SCGOP gubernatorial debate, he described his motivation for coming to America: not for economic reasons, but because of principles he learned in a civics class about freedom and the Declaration of Independence. He attended the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.
Reddy has spent his entire career in the private sector. He has three children and three grandchildren.
Reddy is a person of faith. His campaign website states he believes rights “do not come from government” but “come from God.” He is the only candidate in the Republican primary who has never held elected office and who does not accept campaign donations, a distinction he has highlighted throughout the race.
POLITICAL CAREER & PUBLIC SERVICE
Reddy has no prior elected office. He has positioned his lack of political experience as a central asset, contrasting himself throughout the campaign with what he calls the “political ruling class.” He launched his campaign for governor in March 2026.
- No prior elected office
- Notable: Self-funded campaign; accepts no campaign donations; founder and CEO of multiple private sector companies in SC; only candidate in the Republican primary with no prior political experience
KEY ISSUES & POLICY POSITIONS
Positions below are sourced from the candidate’s campaign materials, public statements, and debate appearances.
EDUCATION
Reddy has not made education a primary campaign focus, but at the April 1 SCGOP gubernatorial debate he addressed the issue in the context of government accountability, arguing that the state’s poor education rankings are a symptom of failed political leadership. He has called for quality growth and preserving the character of South Carolina, and said he would recruit quality businesses rather than allow unlimited development that strains schools and infrastructure. He has not offered a specific school choice position in sourced debate appearances.
ABORTION
Reddy describes himself as pro-life. On the question of S. 1095, the bill that would eliminate exceptions for rape, incest, and fatal fetal anomalies, Reddy proposed a different approach than his opponents: putting the issue to a statewide referendum. He said he is tired of the ongoing debate consuming legislative time each year and wants to let South Carolinians decide the question directly.
IMMIGRATION
Reddy has positioned himself as a unique voice on immigration given his own background as a legal immigrant. At the April 21 SCGOP gubernatorial debate, he emphasized the distinction between legal and illegal immigration, framing his personal story as proof that the legal immigration system works. He has broadly criticized the “political ruling class” for failing to manage the state’s rapid growth.
STATE INFRASTRUCTURE
Reddy has been sharply critical of the state’s infrastructure record, arguing that increased spending has not produced results. At the April 21 SCGOP gubernatorial debate, he said: “In 2013, $1.3 billion dollars on roads. This year, $3.1 billion dollars. Percent of acceptable roads went down.” Drawing on his background running a construction company, he called for eliminating the centralized road commission structure, saying: “Two-thirds of the roads are managed centrally. Impossible. That’s the Russian gulag system of management. Get rid of in-house maintenance.”
DATA CENTERS
Reddy is the most skeptical candidate in the Republican primary on data centers. “I’m dead opposed to them,” he said at the April 21 SCGOP gubernatorial debate. “I’m dead opposed to them.” He went on to say: “Trying to cut deals with data centers will be another boondoggle like Scout Motors, battery plants, solar plants there in Rock Hill.” He has called for protecting South Carolina’s heritage and character over pursuing large-scale economic development deals he views as poorly structured.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
“There are two names in this race. The political ruling class and me. I’ve never run for office. Like President Trump and Elon Musk, I attended the Wharton Business School. I’ve been in the private sector my entire life. I don’t take campaign donations. I can’t be bought.” -Rom Reddy, SCGOP Gubernatorial Debate, Charleston, April 21, 2026
“I’m dead opposed to [data centers]. The political ruling class, they do not know how to make deals. Trying to cut deals with data centers will be another boondoggle like Scout Motors, battery plants, solar plants there in Rock Hill – all of these.” -Rom Reddy, SCGOP Gubernatorial Debate, Charleston, April 21, 2026
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