Meet the candidates running for Cayce City Council in November
The city of Cayce will see at least one new face on its council this election, as one incumbent won’t seek office again. A communications strategist and a former restaurant worker will vie for the other seat up for grabs.
Tiffany Aull, who serves as the assistant director of the Lexington 2 Innovation Center, is running against Ron Wright, a retired state employee, for the District 1 seat left vacant with the departure of current Mayor Pro-Tem Tim James. In District 3, incumbent Hunter Sox is running against newcomer Alice Rose.
This year’s election, happening Nov. 4, comes as the city of 14,000 has been mired in controversy over the last year — cycling through a number of top administrators as relationships among city council members have soured. The election also presents the chance to flip the council’s demographic makeup from only one woman, longtime Mayor Elise Partin, to three, if Aull and Rose win.
Early voting started Oct. 20. You can find more information about where and how to vote at scvotes.gov. The candidates’ answers are listed below in alphabetical order.
Tiffany Aull, District 1
Age: 49
Occupation/place of employment: Assistant Director/Lexington School District 2 Innovation Center
Education/school: Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice/ University of South Carolina, MBA/Southern Wesleyan University and a Master of Science in administration/Capella University.
Political or civic experience: Member of Cayce Women’s Club, Member of Bearcat Club and the Brookland-Cayce High School Foundation, fundraiser for the Dickerson Children’s Advocacy Center
Campaign website:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TIffanyAull.CayceCityCouncil
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiffanyaull/
Why are you running for Cayce city council?
My whole professional career has been serving my local community. I have a passion for the city and residents of Cayce and I would like the opportunity to work alongside the Mayor, council, and community to make Cayce an even greater place to live.
If elected, what would your two or three priorities be as a city council member in Cayce?
• Cultivate a positive workplace culture.
• Deliver effective and efficient city services.
• Encourage responsible growth while making Cayce a business-friendly community.
Cayce is in the process of rewriting its zoning ordinance, which could shape how the city looks and develops for decades. If elected, what input would you offer during this process and what changes do you want to see?
As an advocate for the continued growth and vibrancy of Cayce, I am committed to advancing beautification initiatives that enhance our city’s visual appeal and quality of life. I also support thoughtful zoning ordinances that promote smart development while preserving the character of our neighborhoods. Cayce is a strategically located and thriving community, and as the housing market continues to grow, I believe we have a unique opportunity to attract more established businesses to our area — bringing jobs, services, and long-term economic vitality to our residents.
Tensions on city council in Cayce have been high in recent months. If elected, how do you hope to address this and work with members of council?
I am committed to building consensus among the Mayor, City Council members, municipal employees, and the broader community. By working together, we can find common ground and drive meaningful progress for our city.
Alice Rose, District 3
Age: 42
Occupation/place of employment: After a 20-year career as a leader in the hospitality industry (with a recent break to raise our children), I’m focusing on a degree in anthropology and government.
Education/school: I am pursuing a BA in Anthropology at ASU.
Political or civic experience: I am a devoted wife and mother, active in my community and I care deeply about the future of my hometown. I truly enjoy helping people. I’m not climbing the political ladder; I will serve our city. Early in my career, in restaurant management, hotels and legal services, I learned that if I was just giving sound bites and not actually working to solve problems, my customers would see through it. Genuine caring and follow-through matter. My strong customer service and communication skills from more than 20 years in the hospitality and tourism industries will ensure that citizens get great service from their council member all the time, not just at election time. My work in hospitality has equipped me with skills for problem solving, crisis management and most importantly, treating the people of Cayce, my fellow Council members and city staff like VIPs. As your representative on council I will listen and actively focus on our shared quality of life.
Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579192723303#
Why are you running for Cayce city council?
I grew up in Churchill Heights and am raising my kids here. One morning, I saw the trees being cut down on a property not just on the commercial road in front of our neighborhood but all the way back to the first residential street, leaving no tree barrier to shield our homes from the hotel being built there. Our Council member had buried one line about this development in his newsletter that very few people were signed up to receive. Before granting permits the city had options to follow FAA guidance about this property and require a masonry wall separating the parking lot from neighbors. They could have communicated with us. Already, our school bus stop had to be moved to protect our children and property values have decreased. I believe having a pro-developer councilman has created problems for our neighborhoods. I am running to bring more balance to City Council; to make sure that no other resident wakes up to learn their neighborhood is less safe, and their home has less value.
If elected, what would your two or three priorities be as a city council member in Cayce?
Public safety is a top priority. With low crime rates and quick emergency response times Cayce is the envy of other cities. Our police and fire professionals are among the best in the state, and our staff at City Hall share my passion for service. I aim to support them in every way I can, including cost-of-living adjustments and a budget that provides the updated equipment they need to serve us. I will support the city’s administrative team as it recruits and retains highly qualified staff. I am committed to accountable, transparent government, and careful long-term growth planning that brings new businesses into our city, retains and supports current businesses, and maintains Cayce’s charm and character. I will prioritize economic development, beautification and revitalization, and storm drainage improvements.
Cayce is in the process of rewriting its zoning ordinance, which could shape how the city looks and develops for decades. If elected, what input would you offer during this process and what changes do you want to see?
The solution is fairly simple. Zoning, planning and permitting processes need to require more public input before permits are granted to developers. This does not mean grinding development to a halt by adding hurdles. Experience shows that when developers, cities and residents are all part of the conversation about exciting new projects, those projects are more likely to succeed in the long term due to local buy-in. There are ways to get residents’ input without slowing down progress. I will do whatever it takes to make sure that no one else is surprised like we were with the hotel development on Airport Blvd. I also want to see a focus on walkability so our school kids can safely walk to school or to the park on sidewalks. We know that something as basic as a sidewalk, which makes a community safer, also encourages investment from businesses.
Tensions on city council in Cayce have been high in recent months. If elected, how do you hope to address this and work with members of council?
My career has been about listening to customers and ensuring that their needs are met. That’s the same thing I will do as the councilperson for District 3. I believe in clear communication, mutual respect and collaboration. It is important to me that everyone feels heard and valued and that civil dialogue is prioritized when discussing differing opinions. I’m committed to a style of service that rises above the fray and focuses on serving the needs of our community. I’ll be a uniter, not a divider. Elected Leaders should support staff so that they can take care of us and our city. That’s been missing for the last several years, but it can easily be restored. I also don’t have a need to grab the spotlight. Council should be recognized for a collective commitment to the city, not an individual’s pursuit of credit as they climb the political ladder. I want to provide my neighbors with the attentive, service-oriented representation that we all deserve.
Hunter Sox, District 3
Age: 29
Occupation/place of employment: First Tuesday Strategies
Education/school: University of South Carolina, Brookland Cayce High School
Political or civic experience: Cayce City Council - District 3 2021-2025, Cayce Beautification Foundation, Cayce Public Safety Foundation, worked for the S.C. House of Representatives from 2016-2019
Campaign website: https://www.votehuntersox.com
Why are you running for Cayce city council?
I’m running for re-election to continue revitalizing our corridors, strengthening infrastructure, and keeping taxes low for Cayce families. Over the past four years, I’ve delivered on the promises I made in 2021 — reforming city budgeting to protect taxpayers, saving the average household $200 annually, improving public safety, and rebuilding confidence in our city’s future. New housing is being built for the first time in nearly a decade, small-business growth is returning, and blighted properties are being replaced with new investment. I’ve worked to make neighborhoods safer through increased patrols, new cameras, and partnerships with neighboring cities, Midlands Tech, and CAE. Cayce is on the move, and District 3 is leading the way. I’ll continue to lead with the values I was raised on — treating people right, being accountable, and making government work for the people it serves — so we can keep Cayce moving forward and build a city that future generations will be proud to call home.
If elected, what would your two or three priorities be as a city council member in Cayce?
If re-elected, my priorities are clear — keep families safe, revitalize our corridors, invest in infrastructure, and protect family budgets by keeping taxes low. We’re making real progress, and now is the time to build on that momentum. I’ll work to establish a permanent police substation in District 3 for quicker response times. I’ll continue transforming Airport Blvd. and Charleston Hwy. by removing blight, adding sidewalks, lighting, and landscaping, and attracting small businesses that bring jobs and energy back to Cayce, specifically in District 3. At the same time, I’ll focus on improving drainage, streets, and utilities while investing in our water and wastewater systems to ensure reliable, affordable service for families. Every decision I make will center on accountability and results, keeping government focused on what matters most — strong neighborhoods, safe families, and a bright future for Cayce.
Cayce is in the process of rewriting its zoning ordinance, which could shape how the city looks and develops for decades. If elected, what input would you offer during this process and what changes do you want to see?
Cayce’s zoning rewrite is a chance to shape our city’s future for decades. My focus will be on planned development and thoughtful updates that strengthen corridors, support sustainable growth, and include necessary infrastructure upgrades — all while preserving neighborhood character. Projects like Hattie’s Crossing show how modernized zoning and strong public input can lead to quality developments that meet our community’s needs. We need corridor-specific plans for Airport Boulevard, Charleston Highway, 12th Street Extension, and Frink Street to guide investment, attract businesses, and enhance design. I also want to reconnect District 3 to the heart of Cayce along State Street, using development tools to create walkable, bike-friendly pathways that link our gateways to our original downtown. Residents must be informed and involved throughout the process, because when people understand planning and zoning, they become advocates for steady, managed growth that strengthens our city.
Tensions on city council in Cayce have been high in recent months. If elected, how do you hope to address this and work with members of council?
We are fortunate to have a council and professional staff who care deeply about Cayce and are committed to serving our residents. Like any governing body, there are times when members disagree — but that’s part of healthy democracy. Some recent coverage has overstated those differences, but in reality, most of us work together respectfully and productively to move Cayce forward. My focus has always been on results, not rhetoric — treating people right, being accountable, and keeping government focused on service. I’ve fulfilled my commitments from 2021 and worked with colleagues, county leaders, and state partners to achieve results. If re-elected, I’ll continue leading with professionalism, civility, and collaboration — because real progress happens when we stay focused on what unites us: making Cayce stronger for the people who call it home.
Ron Wright, District 1
Age: 74
Occupation/place of employment: Retired from state government (SCDOT and LLR)
Education/school: BS Mathematics Georgia State University 1989; BS Computer Science Limestone College 1999
Political or civic experience: No previous political experience
Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579258513086
Why are you running for Cayce city council?
As an independent candidate with no conflicts of interest, I can offer a different perspective on city council. I am a retired real estate appraiser with a broad background and my professional background will be helpful when making decisions related to development.
If elected, what would your two or three priorities be as a city councilmember in Cayce?
Encourage responsible and appropriate development; increase pay for police and firefighters; improve public parks.
Cayce is in the process of rewriting its zoning ordinance, which could shape how the city looks and develops for decades. If elected, what input would you offer during this process and what changes do you want to see?
I would like to see more multi-family development, e.g. apartments, especially in the Otarre Pointe area. There is a housing shortage in Cayce.
Tensions on city council in Cayce have been high in recent months. If elected, how do you hope to address this and work with members of council?
I am an independent voice and will vote in a manner that I think is best for the city. I am not running to align myself with any member of council or any factions. I will do my best to be conciliatory without compromising my principles, and will be civil and respectful when disagreeing with other members of council.
This story was originally published October 22, 2025 at 9:23 AM.
