Meet the city council candidates running for election in West Columbia
The city of West Columbia will vote on four of its council seats in this year’s election. The city will see one new face, in the District 5 seat, as Mayor Pro-Tem Mickey Pringle won’t seek reelection. In that race, Phyllis Cookie Holmes and Kiaun Jaquez Moore are running against each other.
The other four seats will feature unopposed incumbents: Mike Green in District 1, George Crowe in District 3 and Sarah Mattern in District 7. Brad Robinson, who had initially filed to run for the District 5 seat against Holmes and Moore, has withdrawn from the race, he told The State.
The city is in the process of a handful of major projects that could completely reshape what West Columbia looks like in the years to come — with projects aimed at beautifying and increasing pedestrian safety along U.S. Highway 1 right off Interstate 26 and a road diet planned for portions of Meeting Street.
The State did not receive responses from Mattern or Holmes after sending a questionnaire to the candidates. The election will be held Nov. 4. Early voting started Oct. 20. You can find more information about where and how to vote at scvotes.gov. The candidates’ responses are listed below in alphabetical order.
George Crowe, District 3
Age: 72
Occupation/place of employment: Director of SC State Fair Special Events
Education/school: Brookland Cayce High School
Political or civic experience: Served on Zoning Board for City of West Columbia. City Councilman for West Columbia District 3 for 2 years
Why are you running for city council in West Columbia?
I am running for City Council to continue the work we have set out to do. I want to make West Columbia, where I have lived my whole life, a great place to live, work and play.
If elected, what would your two or three priorities be as a council member in West Columbia?
My priorities would be to make sure we continue to have all we need for our police department, fire department and all of our city services, sanitation, water, sewer, etc., to work with SCDOT to get road improvements and to bring good businesses to the city for our citizens.
In many ways, West Columbia has embraced growth and development in recent years. If elected, how do you plan to approach development?
We need to continue to grow. We need to bring in major businesses. We need to make our citizens have everything they need here and need to grow with our public safety.
With development and revitalization efforts by the city, West Columbia has changed significantly over the last decade or so. What do you think is left to be done and how do you hope to accomplish that?
There are many things left to do. We need to create better roads, make our neighborhoods have everything they need. We need to continue with updated police service, updated fire service and make sure we continue to stay the great city we are. West Columbia’s future looks bright.
Please get out and Vote on Tuesday, Nov. 4 for the important Municipal elections and continue to make West Columbia the great city it is.
Mike Green, District 1
Age: 54
Occupation/place of employment: Real Estate Investor
Education/school: Bob Jones University
Political or civic experience: 9 years on City Council
Why are you running for city council in West Columbia?
I am running to keep West Columbia the most transparent, most conservative, and most responsive city in South Carolina. My focus is always on the individual taxpayer — the person who pays the bills and deserves a city government that listens, communicates, and works for them. Citizens should be kept informed about how decisions are made, where their money is going, and how the city is conducting business. Government should not be a mystery — it should be an open book.
If elected, what would your two or three priorities be as a council member in West Columbia?
First and foremost, I want to make sure our water system is the very best it can be. Water is not a luxury — it’s life itself. You can only survive three days without it, and that’s why we must prioritize repairing old pipes, upgrading infrastructure, and staying proactive in providing safe, reliable, and high-quality water.
Second, I want to focus on the overall user experience of living in West Columbia. Things should simply work—from trash pickup, to road maintenance, to city services. Over the last year, we’ve made real progress in both of these areas, keeping our priorities in line and making sure daily operations run smoothly. But the truth is, keeping a city running takes constant attention. Every single day requires planning, problem-solving, and forward thinking to meet today’s needs while preparing for tomorrow.
In many ways, West Columbia has embraced growth and development in recent years. If elected, how do you plan to approach development?
I believe in smart growth. Not all growth is good growth — it has to be managed in a way that protects our character and uses our resources wisely. West Columbia has areas with the infrastructure in place to handle higher density, and that’s where growth makes sense. Concentrating development in the right spots allows us to save resources, reduce sprawl, and maintain the strong community feel that makes West Columbia special.
With development and revitalization efforts by the city, West Columbia has changed significantly over the last decade or so. What do you think is left to be done and how do you hope to accomplish that?
West Columbia is still changing, and there’s plenty left to accomplish. I want to see blighted or underdeveloped areas turned into thriving parts of our city. We can expand our famous Riverwalk, improve our whitewater and river-based tourism, and encourage smart mixed-use development — residential, business, and commercial — along our riverfront.
We’re also in the middle of a major upgrade at our water plant, making West Columbia one of the few cities in the state to use advanced ozone water treatment. That’s forward-thinking leadership in action. These kinds of long-term projects require steady, deliberate leadership — not chasing headlines, but doing the work every single day. We’ve laid out clear goals, and we’re committed to meeting them one step at a time.
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Kiaun Jaquez Moore, District 5
Age: 22
Occupation/place of employment: Funeral Director Apprentice
Education/school: Morris College
Political or civic experience: Former Senior Class Senator for the Morris College Student Government Association
Why are you running for city council in West Columbia?
I am running for City Council in West Columbia because I believe in serving the people and being a voice for the community. Through my leadership experience as Senior Class Senator at Morris College, I’ve learned how to listen, advocate, and bring people together to solve problems. I want to use those same skills to ensure West Columbia continues to grow in a way that is fair, inclusive, and beneficial for all residents. My goal is to strengthen community engagement, support local businesses, and improve opportunities for families, so that West Columbia remains a place where people are proud to live, work, and thrive.
If elected, what would your two or three priorities be as a council member in West Columbia?
1. Community Engagement & Representation
I would prioritize being a true voice for the people of West Columbia by increasing opportunities for residents to share their concerns and ideas. That means holding regular town halls, being visible and accessible, and ensuring that all neighborhoods feel represented in decision-making.
2. Quality of Life & Public Services
I would focus on improving everyday services that matter to residents — such as safe streets, well-maintained public spaces, and youth and senior programs. Investing in these areas strengthens families and builds pride in our city.
In many ways, West Columbia has embraced growth and development in recent years. If elected, how do you plan to approach development?
West Columbia has seen tremendous growth, and that’s a good sign of progress. But with growth comes responsibility. If elected, I will approach development in a balanced way — encouraging projects that strengthen our economy and bring new opportunities, while also making sure that long-time residents are not overlooked or pushed out. Development should benefit everyone, not just a few. I will advocate for responsible planning that protects our neighborhoods, supports small businesses, and ensures that housing remains affordable. My goal is to make sure growth doesn’t just change West Columbia, but truly improves the quality of life for all who call it home.
With development and revitalization efforts by the city, West Columbia has changed significantly over the last decade or so. What do you think is left to be done and how do you hope to accomplish that?
West Columbia has come a long way over the last decade, but there’s still more work to be done. We need to make sure that growth and revitalization reach every neighborhood — not just the main corridors. That means improving infrastructure, expanding affordable housing, and making sure our roads, sidewalks, and public spaces are safe and accessible. I also believe we need to invest more in programs for youth and seniors, because when we care for our people, the whole city thrives. To accomplish this, I’ll work with community members, local businesses, and city leaders to ensure that every development decision keeps residents at the center. My goal is not just to build a bigger city, but a stronger, more connected community.
