What Irmo candidates would do if elected to town council in November
Voters in Irmo will decide who fills two seats on its town council this November. They have six choices to choose from.
Two incumbents — Gabriel Penfield and Barb Waldman — are seeking re-election to their second terms on the council. Four other town residents — museum curator Benjamin Battiste, federal employee Adam Raynor, realtor Brandon Mundy and former town events committee chairman George Frazier — are all angling to replace them on the five-person council.
After The State solicited responses from the candidates, news broke that Penfield is currently under investigation for an accusation of criminal sexual conduct. Penfield has denied the charge and said he’s been told the State Law Enforcement Division will soon close the case, although on Oct. 15 SLED took charge of the investigation from the Irmo Police Department.
Early voting for the Nov. 4 election started Oct. 20 and runs until Oct. 31.
We asked each candidate what they want to do for the town of 11,500 that straddles the line between Lexington and Richland counties northwest of Columbia. Here’s what they said. Frazier did not respond.
Benjamin Battiste
Occupation: Works at the South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum
Education: Master’s in History, the University of Nebraska, Kearney
Prior political/civic experience: This is my first time running for office.
Campaign website: N/A
Why are you running for office in Irmo?
Irmo is my adopted hometown. After more than two decades in the U.S. Army, moving all over the world, I finally have the chance to grow roots here. I believe local government is where you can make the most direct impact in people’s lives. I see Irmo on a strong trajectory right now, and I want to help us keep moving forward while making sure no one in our community gets left behind.
If elected, what would be your top two or three priorities?
My top priorities are to make Irmo safer and more accessible by expanding sidewalks and creating walkable neighborhoods, to invest in the things that make our town a great place to live like parks, green spaces, and community programs such as the Greater Irmo Art Guild, and to provide responsive, people-first leadership that keeps local government transparent and focused on results. I want to make sure every resident, on both the Richland and Lexington sides of town, feels heard and included, and that the choices we make as a council improve everyday life for our neighbors.
Should Irmo look at annexation to bring more land into the town, and if so what areas should be targeted?
I think Irmo’s current model of annexation is the right one. We have to keep an eye on growing the community and our own economic potential. While I would hate to see us expanding too aggressively, I haven’t seen that tendency with our town.
What kind of development do you want or not want to see in Irmo?
I want to ensure that our neighborhoods are walkable. I don’t want any of our citizens precluded from everything Irmo has to offer due to the lack of transportation. I would like to see us to continue to develop the St. Andrews area into a rich business area as Irmo lacks the downtown area that defines so many of our surrounding communities.
Hundreds of new homes are planned to go into the Water Walk development. What needs to happen for that project to fit best within the town?
I think that mixed-use zoning is fantastic and I see the Water Walk development as a wonderful test case for how we could look at changing Irmo for the better.
Brandon Mundy
Occupation: I am a licensed realtor serving the greater Columbia and Irmo area. Before real estate, I worked in industrial maintenance and plumbing, giving me hands-on knowledge of infrastructure and practical problem-solving.
Education: Newberry High School, Piedmont Technical College
Prior political/civic experience: This is my first time running for public office. However, as a local realtor and active community member, I work daily with families, businesses, and neighborhood groups to solve problems and find common ground.
Campaign website: Brandon Mundy for Irmo Town Council on Facebook
Why are you running for office in Irmo?
I’m running because Irmo is more than where I live, it’s home for my wife, our child, and me. This community shaped our lives, and I want to make sure it remains a great place to raise a family. I believe thoughtful leadership can guide growth in a way that protects our small-town feel while welcoming opportunity.
If elected, what would be your top two or three priorities?
1. Responsible growth and infrastructure. Ensure that every new development is backed by traffic studies, infrastructure planning, and community input.
2. Community spaces and safety. Keep our parks, roads, and public areas well maintained and safe for families.
3. Support for local businesses. Encourage a thriving local economy that reflects Irmo’s unique character.
Should Irmo look at annexation to bring more land into the town, and if so what areas should be targeted?
Annexation should only be considered if it truly benefits current residents and aligns with a long-term plan for roads, utilities, and public services. I would approach it cautiously, focusing on areas where services can realistically be provided without straining existing infrastructure.
What kind of development do you want or not want to see in Irmo?
I welcome development that strengthens our community, walkable mixed-use areas, family-friendly businesses, and projects that respect the character of our neighborhoods. I’m not in favor of high-density projects that overwhelm our roads or put a heavy burden on schools and public services.
Hundreds of new homes are planned to go into the Water Walk development. What needs to happen for that project to fit best within the town?
The Water Walk project must move forward only after thorough traffic studies, infrastructure assessments, and open dialogue with residents. We need clear plans for road improvements, stormwater management, and community amenities so the project enhances Irmo rather than straining it.
Gabriel Penfield
Occupation: Founder, Relational Wealth Management
Education: College for Financial Planning
Prior political/civic experience: Greater Irmo Chamber of Commerce member, Carmel Commons HOA board member, Leadership Lexington County Class of 2025, Carolina Wildlife board member, Greater Irmo Artist Guild co-founder, Irmo Events Committee, Optimist Club member.
Campaign website: GabrielPenfield.com
Why are you running for office in Irmo?
I’ve seldom enjoyed serving in a role more than I have on council, and I want to run again to continue serving our community. Being on council has given me the chance to work on the issues that matter most to our residents, from getting potholes reported to guiding thoughtful growth, and I want to keep building on that work to make Irmo an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.
If elected, what would be your top two or three priorities?
If re-elected, I’ll keep doing what I’ve already been focused on — keeping the right agencies aware of road maintenance issues so our infrastructure gets the attention it needs, making sure more residents are brought into the conversation so every voice has a chance to be heard, and working through the challenges of annexation in a way that’s thoughtful and strategic for Irmo’s future.
Should Irmo look at annexation to bring more land into the town, and if so what areas should be targeted?
I think annexation is worth looking at, but it needs to be done the right way. We shouldn’t grow just for the sake of being bigger — any land we bring into Irmo should make sense for the town and for the people who live there. That means focusing on areas where residents actually want to be part of Irmo and where we can realistically provide the services, they’ll need without stretching ourselves too thin. Corridors that connect to our existing neighborhoods such as St. Andrews Road and Lake Murray Boulevard or commercial areas that could support local businesses make more sense than scattered or piecemeal annexations.
What kind of development do you want or not want to see in Irmo?
I want to see development in Irmo that adds to our sense of community — places where people can walk, gather, and support local businesses, while also protecting green space and respecting the character of our neighborhoods. Growth should be thoughtful, balanced, and make sure our roads, schools, and services can keep up. What I don’t want are cookie-cutter subdivisions or projects that treat Irmo like just another place to build, without considering the impact on traffic, quality of life, and the future of our town.
Hundreds of new homes are planned to go into the Water Walk development. What needs to happen for that project to fit best within the town?
For Water Walk to fit in, it has to be more than just houses on a map — it needs to integrate with the community we already have. That means making sure our roads, schools, utilities, and public safety can keep up with the growth, while also protecting green space and managing stormwater the right way. The design should reflect Irmo’s character, not a cookie-cutter subdivision, and it should create spaces where people can walk, gather, and feel part of the town. At the end of the day, this project must strike a balance — welcoming new residents and supporting the services they’ll need, while still protecting the quality of life that makes Irmo home.
Adam Raynor
Occupation: U.S. Government - Quantico, VA (Hybrid)
Education: The Citadel
Prior political/civic experience: I am not a politician or a “business man,” just someone who cares about their community.
Campaign website: N/A
Why are you running for office in Irmo?
I’m running for office in Irmo because I care deeply about this community and its future. Since I moved to Irmo in 2020, it has always been a place with a small-town feel where neighbors know each other, and I want to make sure we preserve that as we grow. Too often, I hear residents say they feel unheard when big decisions are made about development, safety, or spending. I want to change that by bringing a clear, common-sense voice to council, listening to residents first, and making decisions that keep Irmo a great place to live for years to come.
If elected, what would be your two or three priorities?
- Protecting Irmo’s Small-Town Character, I’ll work to ensure growth is thoughtful and doesn’t overwhelm our infrastructure or change what makes Irmo as we knew it.
- Strengthening Community Safety, As a former law enforcement officer and firefighter, I want to support our first responders and invest in programs that keep our neighborhoods safe and welcoming. That means saying no to reckless overdevelopment that strains police, fire, and EMS resources — something I believe that has not prioritized by our current Mayor.
- Listening to Residents, My goal is to make government more accessible and transparent, so every resident feels heard before big decisions are made.
Should Irmo look at annexation to bring more land into the town, and if so what areas should be targeted?
Yes — I believe thoughtful, legal annexation, with the property owner’s consent, can play a role in Irmo’s future — but only when it protects residents’ rights, safeguards infrastructure, and preserves our community character.
If annexation is considered, we should focus on areas directly adjacent to town boundaries, where infrastructure like roads, utilities, and emergency services can be extended without straining taxpayers. This means targeting small, contiguous parcels where owners actually want to join the town and where annexation serves a clear purpose.
It’s my understanding — shared by many residents — that the current Mayor is using infrastructure challenges and available grants as leverage to push annexations in the name of “growth,” including citing COMET and road-widening needs as justification. Growth must be smart, transparent, and aligned with what Irmo residents actually want — not forced to satisfy outside pressures or personal agendas.
What kind of development do you want or not want to see in Irmo?
I absolutely want to see Irmo grow — and the residents I’ve spoken with want that too — but we need responsible growth, not unchecked development and a town administration that strains our roads, schools, and emergency services.
I support development that respects Irmo’s small-town feel and truly serves our community with projects like locally owned businesses, neighborhood parks, and housing that’s thoughtfully planned and doesn’t overwhelm existing infrastructure.
What I don’t want to see are high-density developments pushed through without community input, or projects that create traffic nightmares and force us to play catch-up on public safety and utilities. Growth should enhance quality of life and not compromise it.
Hundreds of new homes are planned to go into the Water Walk development. What needs to happen for that project to fit best within the town?
I’ve been deeply interested in the Water Walk project from the start since I sued the Town of Irmo over its initial denial and mishandling of the planning commissions actions. Hundreds of residents, both inside and outside the town limits, made it clear they did not want this massive development in its proposed form. Unfortunately, the mayor dismissed those concerns publicly during the September 2024 council meeting downplaying residents concerns, calling it assaulting and offensive.
Let me be clear: I am not interested in working with this developer until they are honest, transparent, and willing to bring something meaningful to the table for the residents. If elected, any motion related to this development would be a firm “no” from me until there is a plan that respects the will of the community and prioritizes infrastructure, safety, and quality of life.
Barb Waldman
Occupation: Retired University of South Carolina faculty member
Education: BS, Virginia Tech. PhD, Johns Hopkins University
Prior political/civic experience: Community volunteer, completing 1st term on Irmo Town Council, Irmo Mayor Pro-Tem
Campaign website: BarbWaldmanForIrmo.Weebly.com
Why are you running for office in Irmo?
I seek to serve my community. Prior to being elected to the Irmo Town Council in 2021, I was involved with Town activities, including attending Council meetings and meetings addressing the development of Rawls Creek Park and the rededication of the historic Upper Pine Grove Cemetery. I served as a non-voting Irmo Okra Strut Commissioner and as the Chair of the Irmo Board of Zoning Appeals. I am seeking re-election to Council to continue my service in order to make Irmo an even more attractive place to live, work and play.
If elected, what would be your top two or three priorities?
In addition to smart growth, increasing communications, involvement of our youth in local community service and government, and providing more community services and events are my priorities. I established the Community Connections and School Showcase sections during Council meetings, and am working with the Town Administration to create a quarterly newsletter. I have worked with Irmo High School to establish the Irmo Mayor’s Youth Council, a group of students who will have a voice in Council meetings and work on a project of their choice to benefit the Irmo community. Support for new community events, like the Irmo Town Limit Concert Series, and additional community services, like the Loan-a-Mower program, are additional priorities for me.
Should Irmo look at annexation to bring more land into the town, and if so what areas should be targeted?
Irmo needs to be prepared for both residential and commercial growth. The Irmo Town limits are very irregular due to past annexations. The Town should look at annexation to bring more land into the Town limits, primarily to fill in the ‘donut holes’ and smooth out the irregular perimeter of the Town limits, and to be prepared for future growth. Expansion along Lake Murray Boulevard towards the dam, along St. Andrews Road, and across I-26 (between Broad River Road and Lake Murray Boulevard) makes the most sense.
What kind of development do you want or not want to see in Irmo?
Any development in Irmo should be compatible with our small town quality of life. Many constituents have indicated that they would like to see more local businesses and restaurants, and a walkable ‘downtown’ area. We must be prepared to provide housing options and job opportunities for our residents. I do not want to see development that does not maintain our Irmo Charm. Council needs to review our Ordinances to ensure that as our area grows, we adjust and make appropriate revisions, especially when a particular type of business begins to proliferate excessively.
Hundreds of new homes are planned to go into the Water Walk development. What needs to happen for that project to fit best within the town?
The Water Walk development is in a negotiated mixed-use development district, which means there are many requirements that the developer has agreed to abide by. Initially, the development plan projected putting up to 550 residences on the site. After accommodating the wetlands, open spaces, amenities and commercial areas required, the current version of a master plan includes 456 residences (200 of which will be senior living apartments) and will likely undergo further refinement. There are also restrictions on building materials, styles, lot sizes, etc., so that this development will be a good fit in Irmo. The Town will ensure that the final development meets the requirements of the negotiated agreement.
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