William S. Cogswell Jr.

William Scott Cogswell Jr. (born January 14, 1975) is an American politician and businessman who is mayor of the city of Charleston. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 110th District from 2016 to 2022. Cogswell was elected mayor in 2023 after defeating incumbent John Tecklenburg and is the first Republican mayor of Charleston 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.

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 after defeating incumbent John Tecklenburg in a runoff. He is the first Republican mayor of Charleston 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 a "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 primary race.

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.