CAN YOU SEE THE SIGNS? Voters to select council members in eight metropolitan cities, towns
Voters will be casting ballots Tuesday in the capital city, two municipalities in Richland County and five in Lexington County.
The races pit controversial incumbents against strong challengers in Columbia, West Columbia and Irmo.
In Columbia, five candidates are running against incumbent Cameron Runyan for one of council’s two at-large seats. And five candidates are running for the open seat in District 2, where Brian DeQuincey Newman is not running for re-election.
In Blythewood, the outcome will result in an almost entirely new council.
COLUMBIA
Voters will fill two seats on council: One citywide representative, one District 2 representative. District 3 Councilman Moe Baddourah is unopposed and his name will not appear on the ballot.
Citywide candidates: John Adams, Joseph Azar, Howard Duvall, Nammu Muhammad, Cameron Runyan (incumbent) and Andy Smith.
District candidates: Aaron Bishop, Katie Fletcher Bolden, Doretha Bull, Alexzena Furgess and Ed McDowell Jr. The diverse district stretches from St. Andrews in the northwest part of Columbia through much of downtown to the Olympia neighborhood in the southern portion of the city.
BLYTHEWOOD
Mayoral candidate: Mayor Michael Ross is unopposed for a second term.
Council candidates: Newcomers Larry D. Griffin and Michelle Kiedrowski are seeking to fill the two years remaining on the term of former Councilman Robert Massa, who moved away. Four candidates are seeking two council seats: Eddie Baughman, Bryan Franklin, Malcolm Gordge and Robert Rue.
ARCADIA LAKES
Council candidates: Two seats will be filled and neither candidate has opposition. Linda Jackson is seeking a second term. Michael N. Smith is to return to the council he served on from 2001 through 2009.
WEST COLUMBIA
Mayoral candidates: Archie Ard, Madison Duncan, Bobby Horton and Joe Owens (incumbent)
City Council candidates:
District 2: Trevor Bedell, Jay Fain, Robin Lambert Johnson
District 4: Bobby George, Tem Miles (incumbent), Chuck Underhill
District 6: Jimmy Brooks, B.J. Unthank (incumbent)
District 8: Claude Martin, Teddy Wingard (incumbent)
IRMO
Mayoral candidates: Hardy King (incumbent), Paul Younginer
Council candidates: Mike Harris, Harvey Hoots (incumbent), Mark Pouliot, Julius Waites
BATESBURG-LEESVILLE
District 3: Steve Cain, Terry Wise
District 4: Rochelle Melvin-Bush, Charles Simpkins (incumbent)
District 6: Patrice Jones, Edward “Chip” Spradley
CHAPIN
Council candidates: Michael Clonts, Kay Hollis (incumbent), Mark McCandlish, Jim Palassis
PELION
Council candidates: Douglas Kaminer, Daniel Shumpert, Gene Yonce
Compiled by Clif LeBlanc and Tim Flach
Casting your vote Tuesday
Polls are open 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Only residents of each municipality may vote. To learn where you cast your ballot, go to www.scvotes.org, click on “Check My Voter Registration” on the right of the screen and type in your name, address and birthdate.
If you have questions
▪ In Lexington County, call (803) 785-8361 or go to the office of county election officials at 605 W. Main St., Lexington.
▪ In Richland County, call (803) 576-2240 or go to the Elections and Voter Registration office at 2020 Hampton St., Columbia.
This story was originally published November 1, 2015 at 9:13 PM with the headline "CAN YOU SEE THE SIGNS? Voters to select council members in eight metropolitan cities, towns."