Herbert ready for the challenge after historic victory in Columbia Council District 1
The last time someone other than Sam Davis represented Columbia City Council’s District 1, Bill Clinton was president, Brad Scott was the football coach at the University of South Carolina, gas was $1.06 per gallon and Celine Dion ruled the music charts.
But now a change is on the way.
Attorney Tina Herbert is set to take over the District 1 seat in north Columbia after defeating state Department of Corrections officer Christa Williams in Tuesday’s municipal election. Herbert grabbed 54% of the vote, while Williams got 45%.
Herbert will take over the seat that has been held by Davis for nearly a quarter century. He was first elected in 1998, but decided not to run this year. Herbert is only the second African American woman ever to be elected to Columbia City Council. The first was at-large Councilwoman Tameika Isaac Devine, who is currently in a runoff with Councilman Daniel Rickenmann for the city’s mayoral seat.
“I’m just glad everyone came out and we got the victory,” Herbert told The State. “I think this is an important time for our district, and I think having someone that can help move the district forward is really critical right now. I’m elated the citizens have given me the opportunity to do that.”
Herbert is a lawyer with the Mickle & Bass firm. She was a strong candidate for the District 1 seat, having once run the city’s Office of Business Opportunities under Mayor Steve Benjamin, and she received Davis’ endorsement in the race. She also raised $68,000 in campaign cash for the race, while Williams raised about $8,000.
But Williams ran a steady campaign at the ground level and was within less than 10 points in the final tally. Herbert commended Williams for a hard fought race.
“I thought she ran a very solid race,” Herbert said of Williams. “She has been running for a long time, and had a couple months on me in the race. I was very, very impressed that she kept it up, and she was very consistent and very dedicated to doing the work that was necessary to run a campaign.”
In a post on her campaign Facebook page, Williams thanked her supporters and congratulated Herbert.
Herbert acknowledged the significance of her being only the second Black woman to ever be elected to the council, though she admits she hasn’t dwelled on the fact. She said running for office can be a tough proposition.
“This process is not made for everyone,” she said. “It is a difficult process and it takes away from your family life and work and it is sacrifice. That may be a reason we oftentimes don’t see more women in these spaces, because of the sacrifices it requires.”
The seven-member Columbia City Council will have a new look in 2022. There will be new members in District 1, District 4 and in an at-large seat. Businessman Joe Taylor won the District 4 seat that has been held by Rickenmann, and Aditi Bussells and Tyler Bailey are in a runoff for the at-large seat that has been held by Devine. And, of course, either Devine or Rickenmann will grab the mayoral seat that has been held by Benjamin.
“One of the benefits that I think I do have is some level of familiarity (with the way the city operates), which I think is going to be important with all of the changes,” Herbert said. “I think I will be able to help bring some balance to the entire group.”
