James M Burns

James M Burns is a candidate for State House of Representatives District 17 Primary Election in 2026 in South Carolina State House District 17, South Carolina.

Incumbent State Representative in Clemson, SC

Also running: Richard L Nicoloff.

James M. Burns is a distinguished Calhoun Lemon Professor of History at Clemson University, holding a Ph.D. from the University of California, Santa Barbara. His academic expertise spans African and British Imperial history, with a particular focus on the social history of film. He is a prolific author, known for works like ‘Flickering Shadows: Cinema and Identity in Colonial Zimbabwe’ and the co-authored ‘A History of Sub-Saharan Africa.’ Beyond academia, Burns is an active Republican Representative in the South Carolina House. His current legislative service includes action on various state bills, such as H4906, concerning matters like the Berkeley High School Baseball Championship. His background combines extensive historical scholarship with practical experience in state governance, offering a unique perspective to his public role.