Gilliard leftBell & Howell after three years to work in a retail store owned by his brother. When the store closed due to declining sales in 1981, Gilliard began to work as a plant operator forMobil Chemical. He later worked forRhodia.[1] In 1982, Gilliard was elected vice president of Local 863 of theUnited Steelworkers.[3] He later became its president.[4]
In 2021, Gilliard proposed legislation that would allow for jailing hotel owners and landlords who fail to inform residents of past and presentbed bug infestations. His legislation proposed 60 days jail time or fines of up to $300.[14]
Upon hearing of theTitan submersible implosion, he informed the public of his profound sadness mixed with gratitude for theUS Military. He implored GovernorHenry McMaster to fly the flags at half-staff to honor those who died.[15]
In August 2023, Gilliard reacted to the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission's decision to remove "no concealable weapons allowed" signs from Charleston area parks, controversially stating, "[w]hether they circumvented the law or not, it was with good intentions, nothing is wrong with that."[16]
In 2024, Gilliard renewed the push to make theClementa C. Pinckney Hate Crimes Bill into state law. This is the same legislation proposed in the wake the Charleston church massacre at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. While it has previously passed the house, as of January 2024[update], it has never passed theSouth Carolina Senate.[18][19]
On March 28, 2024, Gilliard was in a serious car crash inLexington County and was subsequently rushed to the hospital.[20][21]
In 2024, Gilliard was among the state legislators appointed to serve on theRobert Smalls Monument Commission.[22]
The Democratic Primary took place on September 5, and the special election took place on November 7.[28] Other candidates in the race were Democrats SC Rep.JA Moore and SC Rep.Deon Tedder, and Republican Rosa Kay. In the Democratic Primary unofficial results, Moore was bested by Gilliard and Tedder, who went on to a September 19 runoff.[29][30] Gilliard led the evening with close to 47% of the vote.[31]
On September 19, Tedder led the runoff by 11 votes, triggering a recount.[32] The recount was conducted and results certified by theCharleston County Board of Canvassers and theDorchester County Voter Registration and Elections Office on September 21; later that day Tedder was declared the winner by the South Carolina State Election Commission.[33]
On December 15, 2023, Charleston, South Carolina Mayor-ElectWilliam S. Cogswell Jr., announced his appointment of senior staff. Gilliard was named special advisor, quality of life and community outreach.[34] He has stated his intentions to draw an annual salary for this position with the city while running for reelection in 2024.[35]
^"State Senate District 42 Special Election".South Carolina State Election Commission. June 21, 2023. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
^Kayanja, Ian (September 5, 2023). "SC Senate District 42 Democratic primary heads to run-off between Gilliard and Tedder".WCIV-TV. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
^Alexander Thompson, and Kenna Coe (September 5, 2023). "Gilliard, Tedder headed to runoff in Charleston-area state Senate primary".The Post and Courier. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
^Renaud, Tim (September 19, 2023). "Deon Tedder leads SC Sen. District 42 runoff by 11 votes; recount likely".WCBD-TV. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
^Coe, Kenna (September 21, 2023). "Deon Tedder declared winner with 11-vote lead in Senate 42 Democratic primary runoff".The Post and Courier. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
