Richland County shakeup: Five seats up for election, here’s who’s running so far
Richland County Council could see one of its biggest shakeups in recent history. Five seats are up for reelection this November, with three incumbents already declaring that they won’t run to keep their seats.
Several well-known local politicians have already thrown their hats in the ring for those positions.
Longtime Richland One school board member Jamie Devine has filed to replace 30-year council veteran Paul Livingston, who earlier this year announced he would not seek re-election. Devine currently holds a seat on the school board that expires in 2028. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The State. Devine has served on the Richland One school board for 16 years and is married to State Senator and former Columbia City Council member Tameika Isaac Devine.
Darrell “DJ” Jackson Jr, cheif operating office of Bible Way Church of Atlas Road and executive director of the Midlands Community Development Corporation, has filed to fill Chakisse Newton’s District 11 seat. Newton, too, announced she would not seek re-election in a social media post earlier this week. Jackson is the son of state Senator Darrell Jackson and is also president of the public relations firm Sunrise Communications. Jackson was unable to speak with The State by press time.
Lexington-Richland 5 school board member Kimberly Snipes has also declared a bid for Richland County Council District 1, currently held by Jason Branham. Branham announced in January that he would be taking a break from public office and would not run to keep his seat. Snipes did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The State, but shared her decision on Facebook Wednesday, where she also announced she would not run for re-election to the LR-5 school board.
“I am excited to share that I will be continuing my desire to serve our community by running for Richland County Council District 1! I believe in the future of our community, and I remain committed to listening, bringing people together, and working toward solutions that move us forward,” she wrote.
Incumbents Allison Terracio for District 5, and Don Weaver for District 6, will run to keep their seats.
So far, no candidate has a challenger in the race, as of Wednesday afternoon. Candidates have until noon on March 30th to file for the election.
Four of the five candidates who have filed to run for Richland County Council so far are Democrats. Weaver is the only Republican currently in the race.
Whether or not there could be a primary election before the Nov. 3 general election will depend on who else, if anyone, files for the open seats. Richland County Council is a partisan board, meaning if multiple candidates from the same party file for the same seat, a primary election would have to take place first.
