Alexander Mullings Sanders Jr. (born September 29, 1939) is an American politician and professor from the state of South Carolina.

Early life

Sanders was born in and grew up in Columbia, South Carolina and attended AC Moore Elementary School, Hand Middle School, and Dreher High School. He received degrees from the University of South Carolina and the University of Virginia.

Political career

Sanders served as a State Senator from 1977 to 1983. He was the chief judge of the South Carolina Court of Appeals from 1983 until 1992.

2002 United States Senate race

In 2002, Sanders was the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate seat left vacant after the retirement of Strom Thurmond. He was defeated by the Republican candidate, U.S. Representative Lindsey Graham.

Academic career

Sanders was the 19th President of the College of Charleston (1992–2001). Sanders was a fellow at the Harvard Institute of Politics during the fall 2003 semester. As one of five founders, Sanders was the President of the Charleston School of Law from its founding in 2002 until 2013. Sanders taugh courses in the Political Science Department at the College of Charleston through 2020.