Here’s everyone who’s filed to run for Richland County Council
Richland County Council is poised for a shakeup, with 13 people running to fill 5 open seats this year.
Three current council members have said they won’t run for re-election, and two seats held by incumbents both have challengers. That means there could be up to five new faces on Richland County Council in 2027, if no incumbent wins re-election.
Candidates had until noon Monday to file to run in the election. Here is everyone who has filed to run.
District 1
Richland County’s District 1 covers the northeast swath of the county, including Ballentine, and the outer edges of Irmo and Chapin.
Jason Branham, the current District 1 representative, has held the seat on Richland County Council for one term, winning his seat after the 2022 election. Branham has announced he isn’t running for re-election.
Four people – two Republicans and two Democrats – have filed to fill his position.
Republicans Charlie Meetze and Jim Reese, and Democrats William Riley and Kimberly Snipes will face off in primary races ahead of the November general election.
The statewide primary election will be held June 9.
Candidates
- Charlie Meetze is a Republican from Chapin. He owns OF Construction, formerly Owens-Fischer Construction, a local firm that handles site grading and other work. He told The State that he is running because he has always had a desire to serve his community.
- Jim Reese is a Republican from Irmo. He is the Ministries Pastor for Forward City Church in Columbia. On his campaign website, he describes himself as a “homegrown conservative Republican leader,” and says he wants to build “on the good work” done by Branham.
- William Riley is a Democrat from Chapin. He works as the assistant city manager for the City of Clinton. He retired from the Army in 2014. Clinton said he has been considering running for County Council for several years. He said he is running to be an accessible leader. “A lot of times people feel their vote doesn’t count or they’re not being heard,” he told The State.
- Kimberly Snipes is a Democrat from Irmo. She currently sits on the Lexington-Richland 5 School Board, and is the Community and Special Projects Director for the South Carolina Bar. On her campaign website, Snipes describes herself as a “dedicated public servant and community leader,” and “a champion for education.”
District 4
Richland County’s District 4 covers a portion of North Columbia, including the Eau Claire neighborhood and the area around Columbia International University. The district also includes Bull Street, Earlewood and a portion of St. Andrews.
The district’s longtime representative, Paul Livingston, told The State earlier this year that he would not run for re-election after holding the seat for more than 30 years.
Just one person has filed to fill the seat: Democrat Jamie Devine, a longtime member of the Richland One school board and husband of state Sen. Tameika Isaac Devine.
In addition to serving on the Richland One school board, Devine also runs the nonprofit Community Assistance Provider, which provides financial assistance to low-and-moderate income families across the Midlands. On his campaign website, Devine describes himself as “a husband, father, non-profit leader and community advocate.”
District 5
Richland County’s District 5 is a uniquely-shaped area that includes some of the community around St. Andrews, as well as downtown Columbia and central city neighborhoods like Five Points, Shandon and a portion of Rosewood. The district also includes the University of South Carolina Campus.
Two Democrats, including incumbent Allison Terracio, are running for the seat. That means the June Primary election will determine who wins the seat.
Candidates
- Democrat Allison Terracio, who currently holds the seat, will run for re-election. She first won the seat in 2018. Terracio is an organizer for Planned Parenthood and an advocate for progressive causes. On her campaign website, Terracio says re-electing her to the seat “means continuing thoughtful, community-centered leadership.”
- Democrat Chelsea Richard is running against Terracio. Richard is an epidemiologist and currently the Vice President of Operations at Central Carolina Community Foundation, a nonprofit tied to various charitable work. On her campaign website, Richard describes herself as “a strategist who listens to the community and uses real evidence to drive our future.”
District 6
Richland County’s District 6 covers a middle swath of the county, including Forest Acres, as well as neighborhoods around South Beltline and the William Jennings Bryan Dorn Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Two people, including incumbent Don Weaver, have filed to run for the seat. There is one Republican and one Democrat running, meaning there will not be a primary election.
Candidates
- Republican Don Weaver, who currently holds the seat, will run for re-election. He first won his seat to the council in 2022. Weaver is the founder of property management firm Prime Financial Services. On his campaign website, Weaver describes himself as “a local leader with local ties,” and that he champions “efficiency, accountability, and transparency” to County Council.
- Democrat John Crangle is a Columbia attorney and longtime government ethics watchdog. Crangle is the former director of South Carolina Common Cause. He has been a candidate in numerous local elections, including for SC House in 2018, and for Columbia City Council in 2021.
District 11
Richland County’s District 11 covers the Garner’s Ferry Road corridor into Lower Richland, as well as Hopkins and Eastover.
Chakisse Newton, who currently holds the seat, announced earlier this year that she would not run for re-election. She won her County Council seat in 2018.
Four Democrats have filed to replace Newton, meaning the June Primary election will determine who wins the seat.
Candidates
- Democrat Norman Jackson previosuly served on Richland County Council, losing his seat in 2018 against Newton. Jackson was the District 11 representative for 11 year prior to losing the seat in 2018. He is a former restaurantuer.
- Democrat James Thompson is a former educator and currently the Workforce Development Manager at the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. Thompson announced his candidacy on Facebook earlier this month, writing, “I’m running because every voice deserves to be heard—but more importantly, those voices must lead to action.”
- Democrat Darrell “DJ” Jackson Jr. is the Chief Operating Officer of Bible Way Church of Atlas Road and the executive director of the Midlands Community Development Corporation. Jackson is the son of state Senator Darrell Jackson and is also president of the public relations firm Sunrise Communications. In a Facebook post announcing his candidacy earlier this month, Jackson wrote that he has worked “to serve and strengthen the community that shaped me.”
- Democrat Eva Prioleau is a former Richland County employee who retired in 2022. She had previously served in numerous roles, including as general manager of public works. Prioleau ran for County Council in 2022, coming in third after Newton and Jackson. Prioleau announced her candidacy earlier this month on Facebook, writing, “After 34 years of public service, I remain committed to serving the community that has given so much to me.”
Election dates and when you can vote
The District 1, District 5 and District 11 races will all require a primary election prior to the November General Election.
The statewide primary election is June 9. Runoff elections, if needed, would take place June 23. The general election is November 3.
Early voting for the primary election lasts May 26 through June 5, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 pm. Absentee ballots must be completed by May 29.
Early voting for the November general election won’t begin until mid-October, lasting from October 19 through 31.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to clarify the description of a district.
This story was originally published March 31, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
