News Summary
Rob Rain has announced his resignation from the Spartanburg City Council to join the South Carolina Ports Authority Board. His departure will lead to a special election to fill his District 2 seat, which has been held by Rain since 2019. The resignation follows a recommendation from Governor Henry McMaster and comes as another councilman also plans to leave for state duties. Rain’s decision signifies a notable shift in local governance, as city officials acknowledge his contributions to Spartanburg’s development and growth.
Spartanburg – City Councilman Rob Rain has announced his resignation from the Spartanburg City Council to accept a position with the South Carolina Ports Authority Board. Rain’s resignation is expected to occur in the coming weeks, coinciding with Spartanburg County Councilman David Britt’s resignation to join the South Carolina Public Service Commission on May 20.
Rob Rain has served on the Spartanburg City Council for over five years, having been elected in 2019. He represents District 2, which covers a significant portion of the city’s Eastside. His departure will trigger a special election to fill his council seat, which will take place 13 weeks following his official resignation.
The decision to leave the council was influenced by a call from South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, who reached out to Rain several months ago regarding the Ports Authority position. Given that state law prohibits public officials from holding two offices at the same time, Rain has opted to leave his role in city governance. He was confirmed as a member of the Ports Authority Board by a unanimous vote of 42-0 from the state Senate on May 8, 2025.
Although Rain was re-elected to his council seat in 2023, which was not due to expire until 2027, he has now chosen to pursue this new opportunity. Rain also serves as the CEO of OTO Development, a hospitality company that is part of The Johnson Group.
The upcoming resignation of Rain and Britt marks a significant shift in local governance. Rain has not made public his plans regarding potential re-election in 2027 and does not express a preference for his successor on the City Council. Officially, City Council seats in Spartanburg are nonpartisan, although Rain endorsed U.S. Senator Tim Scott for President in the 2023 election.
City officials have acknowledged the impact of Rain’s departure. Spartanburg Mayor Jerome Rice has indicated that the council will miss Rain’s expertise, particularly during discussions about important development projects within the city. During Rain’s tenure, Spartanburg experienced considerable growth, being recognized as the 10th fastest-growing metropolitan area in the United States from July 2023 to July 2024.
Rob Rain expressed pride in having contributed to a collaborative effort that has significantly enhanced Spartanburg’s development and economic growth. He has indicated that he plans to remain in the city and continues to appreciate working with city staff and local stakeholders.
As Spartanburg prepares for this transition, the upcoming special election will be a crucial event for the community, determining who will fill the leadership role left vacant by Rain’s resignation. It remains to be seen how this change will influence local governance and future development initiatives.
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Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Spartanburg City Councilman Rob Rain
- Google Search: Rob Rain Spartanburg
- Goupstate: Spartanburg Elected Officials
- Wikipedia: Spartanburg, South Carolina
- Hotel Investment Today: OTO Development Names New CEO
- Encyclopedia Britannica: City of Spartanburg
- Post and Courier: Spartanburg City Council Mixed Morgan Square
- Google Scholar: Spartanburg City Council
- Goupstate: Rob Rain Unseats Alan Jenkins
- Google News: Spartanburg City Council
Author: STAFF HERE SPARTANBURG
The SPARTANBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESpartanburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Spartanburg International Festival, Spartanburg ArtWalk, and motorsport events at Spartanburg Speedway. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce and the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Foundation, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and textiles that power the local economy such as BMW Manufacturing and Milliken & Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
