Meet Hunter
Hunter Sox grew up in the greater Cayce-West Columbia community and has been proud to call Cayce home since 2014. A graduate of Brookland-Cayce High School, Hunter developed a profound appreciation for community involvement and entrepreneurship early in life. Today, he lives in a family house in the heart of the Airport Corridor.
After earning his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina in 2019, Hunter quickly stepped into leadership roles bridging public health, civic engagement, and effective policymaking.
Hunter’s professional journey began in the South Carolina House of Representatives, where he served as a page for former state Representative Mac Toole, gaining firsthand experience in legislative processes and public service. His experience deepened at the South Carolina Institute of Medicine and Public Health, where he served in a legislative affairs capacity. In that role, he became a trusted liaison, translating technical health research into actionable insight for lawmakers and community partners across the state.
Deciding to run for Cayce City Council at just 24 years old, Hunter was elected at age 25 in 2021, becoming the youngest person to hold office representing Cayce. As Councilman, he continues to focus on keeping taxes low, revitalization and economic development, infrastructure enhancements, and government transparency. He considers it a tremendous privilege to serve the neighborhoods and local businesses in the community, where his family and friends have lived in and supported for generations.
Hunter's deep connection to the district he represents stems from his family's deep ties to the area. Sox Street, named after his great-grandparents who planted their roots and established a small business there, was home to the Sox family business for over seven decades. Today, the Shealy side of Hunter’s family continues to own and operate a small business in District 3. These strong ties fuel his passion for protecting small businesses and upholding the values of hardworking, blue-collar individuals who built the community, while revitalizing the Airport Corridor and surrounding areas. This personal history drives Hunter's commitment to supporting small businesses and fostering the potential of the district and corridor.
Hunter's dedication to community service extends beyond his elected role. He has served as a board member for Literacy SC and the Cayce Beautification Foundation, currently serves on the Cayce Public Safety Foundation, and is the chapter advisor for his college fraternity, Tau Kappa Epsilon at the University of South Carolina. His commitment has earned him notable recognitions, including being named one of Lexington’s Top 20 Professionals Under 40 by the Lexington County Chronicle in January 2023. Hunter was also selected as a member of the Leadership Columbia Class of 2024, further developing his skills alongside other rising community leaders. Hunter was selected as a McLaughlin Scholar by the Congress for the New Urbanism, granting him the opportunity to engage with leading urban planners, architects, and civic innovators nationwide.
Today, Hunter continues his work as Director of Public Affairs at First Tuesday Strategies, advising leaders from both the public and private sectors. His leadership seamlessly combines his deep local roots, policy expertise, and commitment to vibrant, resilient communities. Hunter’s vision is straightforward yet ambitious: to unite people, ideas, and action to foster thriving neighborhoods and sustainable growth in the Cayce and Midlands region.
