Decision Maker

Brian Gaines

South Carolina Comptroller General

South Carolina

Brian J. Gaines is an elected official currently serving as the Comptroller General of South Carolina, having been appointed by Republican Governor Henry McMaster on May 12, 2023. He is the first Black constitutional officer in South Carolina since Reconstruction and a member of the Democratic Party, marking a significant milestone as the first Democrat to hold statewide office in the state since 2015. Gaines holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Master of Public Administration from the University of South Carolina. With over 16 years of experience in state government, he has held various financial leadership roles, including State Budget Director. His leadership is characterized by a commitment to transparency and fiscal responsibility in state governance.