David P. Merchant was elected Mayor of the City of Sumter in November 2020. In his role as Mayor, he serves as a visionary for the community, provides leadership to City Council, and represents the City of Sumter at official functions and events.
Before his election as Mayor, Mayor Merchant served on Sumter City Council representing Ward 6 from 2012 to 2020. He has been actively engaged in education and youth initiatives, serving on theSumter School Improvement Councils, and his family business has been a longstanding community partner with the Sumter School District. He is also a dedicated participant in programs such as Real Men Read and My Community and Me, and has served as “Principal for the Day” at several Sumter schools.
David is a strong advocate for children and community development. He volunteers as a baseball coach with Sumter County Parks and Recreation and supports numerous local organizations, including the Sumter Pregnancy Center, Young Life youth ministries, and the Sumter County Disabilities and Special Needs Foundation. He also serves as an honorary commander at Shaw Air Force Base.
A 1997 graduate of Clemson University, Mayor Merchant earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Agronomy (Agricultural Sciences). After beginning his career in the corporate sector, he pursued his passion for welding and co-founded Merchant Iron Works, Incorporated with his wife, Laurie. The company has grown to employ over 135 people and fabricates structural steel for major commercial and industrial projects across the country.
Mayor Merchant is married to Sumter native Laurie Noonan, and they have four children: Hannah, Pate, Sam, and Connor. The family attends First Baptist Church in Sumter. In his free time, he enjoys fishing and boating with his family.