Meet the candidates for Lexington County Council GOP primary
Republican voters in the Cayce area will have one of the only opportunities to shape the face of Lexington County Council for the next few years.
Former council chairman Todd Cullum, a 20-year incumbent representing District 9 on the council, faces a primary challenge from Bobby Porter, a former South Congaree town councilman who before the latest round of redistricting previously ran for office as a Democrat in another council district.
Cullum is running on his experience as a longtime council member, while Porter said he wants to focus on the issues fueled by Lexington County’s growth. Porter previously told The State he decided to switch parties when “It was clear to me that my ideas and ideology didn’t line up with any Democrat.”
In 2020, Porter ran for county council against Gene “Bimbo” Jones as a Democrat in the Red Bank-centered District 5. When council seats were redistricted following the 2020 census, Porter’s home in South Congaree was moved into District 9, which also includes Cayce and Pine Ridge.
No other candidate filed to run against the GOP primary winner in the Nov. 8 general election. Three other council incumbents — Larry Brigham, Beth Carrigg and Glen Conwell — are running unopposed.
Todd Cullum
Age: 58
Education: Graduate, Airport High School; Graduate, USC Columbia, BS Degree in Finance, Insurance and Economic Security; Graduate, S.C. Economic Developers Association Institute; Graduate, Georgia Tech, Basic Economic Development.
Occupation: Partner, Reeley’s Body Shop, Inc.
Prior political experience: Elected to Lexington County Council, November 2002–present. Served as council chairman in 2005, 2006, 2016, 2017 and 2021.
What is the biggest issue facing District 9? And what will you do about it?
District #9 challenges are much like the remainder of the county, growth and transportation maintenance and congestion management. More specifically in District #9, there are most of the active sites available for industry location and job creation. Additionally, the “front door” to our Midlands region is S.C. 302-Airport Blvd. This corridor needs improving to show a positive welcome to all visitors to our region, both pleasure and business travel alike.
I plan to continue to look for ways to improve our transportation system for maintenance and congestion management through alternative financial solutions; federal grants, local option funding, and government/private partnerships. Industry recruitment will continue to be a top priority to create tax base and jobs, both critical to the health and growth of the county. I will continue to advocate for all three of the county’s industrial parks and aggressively pursue quality companies to locate here. The Airport Boulevard corridor improvement plan is underway and all local governments are working in tandem to engage the business community to partner with government to improve this “gateway to the Midlands” corridor.
How do you intend to handle development and traffic issues as Lexington County grows?
I will continue to pursue growth plans that enhance the quality of life in our county but not restrict investment and opportunities. More specifically, I will advocate using our new countywide comprehensive plan for residential and commercial future growth. The traffic matter has been developing over a number of years and needs funding to make improvements. I will continue to seek new funding options that our residents can support through federal grants at the CMCOG level, SCDOT funding and providing the public to have a say in the local option funding model.
Bobby Porter
Age: 55
Education: Bachelor of Business Administration, Campbell University ‘91; Master of Business Administration, East Carolina University ‘97
Occupation: General contractor licensed in North Carolina and South Carolina
Political Experience: South Congaree Town Council 2018-2022; Lexington County Water and Sewer Commission 2021-present
What is the biggest issue facing District 9? And what will you do about it?
Growth is our long-term priority facing our district at the present time. Our infrastructure, school system, housing, health care and first responders are all impacted. Planning for this continued growth is critical for the advancement of both residential and business development. A haphazard approach towards our county comprehensive plan quickly allows the growth potential to outpace our existing infrastructure. It is not difficult to determine our roads are severely in need of repair along with water and sewer lines that are close to maximum capacity based on current flow and existing pump stations.
My question is how did we get to this position of “catch-up.” Growth will continue in Lexington County, but it is the responsibility of county leadership to manage and control this growth. I also do not believe that the lack of improvements is financial whereas both state and federal funds have been made available along with collection of county taxes. I feel that our County Council as a whole has not set priorities for the needs of not only District 9, but Lexington County. When elected, I will encourage a cost and economic analysis to determine the development impact to our communities. Simply, how is county funds being spent currently and cost cutting opportunities. I believe an open dialogue with our civic and businesses leaders will help identify areas to target our funds efficiently and responsibly. Planning along with comprehensive strategy will reduce the negative impact on our district and county.
Secondly, I believe our elected officials should lead by example whereas giving back to our communities in which we serve. When elected, I propose a portion of compensation go towards supporting our next generation. I intend to set a trust fund for high school aged students within my district offering scholarships ”Youth/Adult initiative Program” for our future leaders. We have an obligation to engage our young people as inclusion towards our county plans. Lastly, I ask that the citizens of Lexington County District 9 determine if they and their communities are better off with present leadership or experiencing a disconnect with needs of the community. I intend to bring change that is inclusive of all our residents, businesses and civic leaders for a improved Lexington County and refuse any increased tax burden on the citizens of Lexington County District 9.
How do you intend to handle development and traffic issues as Lexington County grows?
Strategic planning is the best approach concerning increased development and the strain placed on our roads. I believe a smart, proactive approach adhering to 1, 3, 5, and 10 plan will assist and minimize some but not all current congestion. As a general contractor, I have worked on numerous projects both residential and commercial. Our first task is to determine what will be the impact concerning traffic flow and count. It is a cooperation between developer and elected leadership to reduce congestion and road quality. I believe that a lack of oversight and communication has allowed conditions to deteriorate and worsen. The county has allowed development to far outpace infrastructure capacity. Growth can be closely monitored and adjustments made accordingly. This aspect has been ignored, hence increased traffic congestion and road deterioration.
I intend to aggressively address this issue with reviewing of plans submitted from developers, review responses and create communication with the state DOT to determine how we again found ourselves again in a catch-up position. “Good growth” is positive for our county, but once it becomes out of control it reduces our quality of life. Some may say that all development is good, I believe that all “managed” growth is positive for our communities. We not only have an obligation to new residents and businesses making Lexington County home, but more importantly those that have been here for generations require much needed attention.
I believe our growth projections and trajectory far exceeds capacity. The question of where do we want to be within the next 3, 5, 10 years is valid. What steps do we want to take to get there. Is our present leadership capable of getting our community there. I believe that communicating, extensive planning, and slowing pace of development will give us this opportunity. Co-operation and re-engagement of our communities into decision-making processes will help alleviate much of traffic issues were facing presently.
.jpg)