Eunice Lehmacher

Lehmacher was born in Lexington, Missouri, and grew up in Wilson, North Carolina, and Knoxville, Tennessee. She earned a high school diploma from South Young High School, a bachelor's degree from Concordia University (1985), and a master's degree from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. (1996).[1] Her career includes work as a high school math and science teacher, library associate and church educator, according to Ballotpedia; Upstate Today likewise lists high school teacher, librarian, social worker and psychotherapist among her earlier careers.[1][4]

She moved to Clemson, South Carolina, with her husband in 2002, where they raised two sons, according to her Ballotpedia survey. Lehmacher worked as a medical social worker and psychotherapist for Oconee Memorial Hospital, Clemson University, Hospice of the Foothills and other health care agencies, and owned a private counseling practice in Seneca, SC.[1] She was the Democratic nominee for South Carolina House of Representatives District 3 in 2020 and 2024, losing the general election to Jerry Carter (R) in 2020 and to Phillip Bowers (R) in 2024.[1]

Lehmacher serves by gubernatorial appointment on the Anderson Oconee Pickens Mental Health Commission and on the Sustainability Advisory Committee for the City of Clemson. She describes volunteer work teaching classes, leading support groups, mentoring students and leading community groups including the Sierra Club and her neighborhood association, and has been affiliated with the South Carolina Society for Clinical Social Workers and the Clinical Social Work Association.[1] She won the June 9, 2026, Democratic primary with 53.4 percent of the vote over Ernest Mackins, and faced Republican Rep. Sheri Biggs in November.[1][5] According to her Ballotpedia survey, her campaign emphasized health care access, energy costs and affordability.[1] She received 34.4% of the vote to Sheri Biggs's 63.7%, according to unofficial results reported by NBC News.[2]