Councilman Baddourah endorses candidate in Columbia at-large race

Columbia City Councilman Moe Baddourah said Sunday he will endorse at-large council candidate Howard Duvall in Tuesday’s runoff.

Duvall, 72, retired Municipal Association of South Carolina director, is squaring off with Andy Smith, 36, director of Nickelodeon theater. The two were the top vote-getters in the Nov. 3 election but didn’t receive enough votes for an outright win.

Baddourah said in an email he typically stays out of candidate endorsements. But the at-large seat winner will have a “major impact” on the city, he said, adding that he thinks Duvall would help council “make better financial decisions, be more inclusive and will push for greater transparency.”

Also on the ballot in Tuesday’s runoff are the Revs. Aaron Bishop and Ed McDowell Jr., vying for the District 2 seat.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday.

From Staff Reports