Blanton Newman is a Policy Associate at POLARIS National Security. Prior to joining POLARIS, he served under U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham as the senator’s bodyman, driver, and staff assistant in his Washington, D.C., legislative office, supporting day-to-day operations in a demanding environment. His responsibilities included helping manage and facilitate Senator Graham’s schedule, meetings, and travel logistics, as well as serving as a liaison to the White House, foreign diplomatic missions, military officials, and the U.S. Capitol Police. He also supported sensitive operations requiring effective communication, cross-functional collaboration, constituent and stakeholder engagement, and utmost discretion.

A native of Greenville, South Carolina, Blanton earned B.A. degrees in Religious Studies and Philosophy, with an emphasis in Law, Liberty, and Justice from Clemson University. He is currently pursuing an MBA at Clemson University alongside an M.A. in International Politics and Military Affairs at The Citadel.