Kasie Whitener

Whitener was born in Florence, South Carolina, and graduated from Herndon High School.[1] She earned a bachelor's degree from Clemson University in 1999, a graduate degree from Winthrop University in 2004 and a Ph.D. from Capella University in 2014; her bachelor's and master's degrees are in English.[1][2] She has authored two novels, After December (2019) and Before Pittsburgh (2021), and served two terms as president of the South Carolina Writers Association, where she remains on the board.[2]

Whitener works as a clinical assistant professor teaching entrepreneurship and strategic management and as a director of the Faber Entrepreneurship Center. She is also the voice of "Moore Impact," the Darla Moore School of Business's live radio show and podcast.[2] In the Libertarian Party, she served two terms as Richland County chairperson and then as chair of the state party.[1][2] She defeated Jason Brenkus at the Libertarian convention on April 11, 2026 to become the party's U.S. Senate nominee.[1][8] Whitener lives in Blythewood with her husband, Charlie, and their teenage daughter.[2] During the campaign, she promised to contain spending and demand fiscal responsibility, including a balanced budget delivered on time.[1][2] She received 1.2% of the vote to Annie Andrews's 51.1%, according to unofficial results reported by NBC News.[3]