Richard B. "Blake" Sanders is a Republican representing District 9 in the South Carolina House of Representatives. Elected in November 2024 after defeating James Galyean in the Republican primary runoff, he assumed office on November 11, 2024, with his current term ending November 9, 2026. Born July 27, 1982, Sanders grew up in West Pelzer, South Carolina, and is a husband to Ashley and father to Lane and Gracie. He previously served as the Immediate Past Mayor of West Pelzer and emphasizes community service through his professional and volunteer work.

Notable achievements include being the first in his family to graduate college, founding Studio Main , and serving as a lecturer at Clemson University. He has held roles such as Policy Member with the Greenville-Pickens and Anderson Area Transportation Studies, past President of the Anderson County Municipal Association, and past President of the Palmetto Business Association. Sanders volunteers with The Lot Project, Meals on Wheels, Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Anderson County, and Anderson County Economic Development.

In the legislature, he serves on the Government Efficiency and Legislative Oversight Committee and the Medical, Military, Public, and Municipal Affairs Committee. He sponsored the South Carolina Prenatal Equal Protection Act of 2023, which sought to make women who had abortions eligible for the death penalty and garnered 21 Republican co-sponsors.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Clemson University .
• Political Experience:
  • South Carolina House of Representatives, District 9 .
  • Mayor of West Pelzer .
  • Various local leadership roles in transportation studies, municipal associations, and business groups.