Deitra Stover Matthews, Columbia City Council at-large candidate
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Columbia City Council, At-large Candidates
Who are the candidates running for an at-large seat with Columbia City Council? Read these candidates questionnaires to learn more about their stance on issues in your community with our Voter Guide, exclusive to The State subscribers.
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Deitra Stover Matthews is one of seven candidates running for an at-large seat on Columbia City Council.
The at-large seat is elected citywide. The seven hopefuls are vying for the seat currently held by Councilwoman Tameika Isaac Devine, who is running for mayor this year. Devine has held the seat for 19 years.
The election is on Nov. 2, with runoffs on Nov. 16, if necessary.
Matthews recently responded to a candidate questionnaire from The State.
Name: Deitra Stover Matthews
Age: 43
Occupation: Government relations manager
Education: Bachelor of Arts, English and psychology (double major); Master of Public Administration with a concentration in public policy; honorary letters of the Doctorate for Christian Humanitarian Services from Central Christian University of SC
Political or civic experience: The Ram Foundation’s board of directors; Prisma Health Children’s Hospital – Midlands board of directors; Hydrocephalus Association National Strategic Committee; South Carolina Conservationists of Color; the National Council of Negro Women; Children’s Defense Fund Fellow; school improvement council, district parent advisory board; Junior League of Richmond, Virginia; Junior League of Fayetteville, NC; NAACP – Kansas City, Kansas Chapter; Save the Children Action Network; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; the Columbia MOLES; and a Silver Life subscription member of the NAACP.
Campaign website: http://www.deitraforcolumbia.com
Why are you running for this office?
I have been involved and engaged in the political process since high school. Over the years, I have remained engaged and have continued to serve and work on quality of life issues. But, I never saw myself in the space of elected office — until now. Now, more than ever, the voices of everyday, hardworking people must be amplified. It is time for residents of the City of Columbia to believe and trust that those who serve them value their voices. I truly believe that those who are closest to the issues are the ones who are closest to the solutions. Centered on people and four policy tenets of economic development, employment, environment, and education, my candidacy has and always will be about the people of our city. As we seek and implement equitable solutions, I believe we will create in Columbia an environment where everyone can thrive for generations to come.
If elected, what would your two or three priorities be during your first year in office?
As our state’s capital city, Columbia has the unique potential to be the home where people learn, build and expand a business, raise a family and enjoy a great quality of life. While appreciating and celebrating the city’s rich history, that requires a strong economy that embraces innovation and creativity, and it requires a clean, healthy, and safe environment. The city of Columbia should not just position itself to be a destination; a destination can still be temporary. To be competitive regionally and nationally, the city of Columbia must position itself to be a place where no one ever wants to leave. The city of Columbia must prioritize deepening its relationships with our K-12 and secondary educational institutions so that we can mobilize talent early to create a pipeline towards a strong and equipped workforce. My three priorities during my first year in office are economic development, housing, and environment.
What unique skills or life perspective would you bring to city governance?
Born and raised in Columbia, I am a conservationist, former educator, military spouse, mother of a child with a disability, nonprofit leader, and government relations manager. After spending many years of my marriage living in other cities as a military spouse, I returned to Columbia nearly a decade ago to give back to the city that has given me so much. At an early age, I deeply understood that if my neighbor was not doing well, neither was I. My life’s work has been about improving the quality of life for all people — truly serving the least of these. As a former educator, I understand the importance of ensuring the basics of a matter are articulated clearly, and as a government relations manager who advocates on the issues of clean air and water, clean energy, and access to safe green spaces for all at our South Carolina State House, I have a profound sense of what governance looks like.
What current practice or policy of the city would you preserve or enhance? Why?
Nearly 10% of residents in Columbia under the age of 65 live with a disability. As a mother of a child who lives with a disability, I know firsthand how empowering it can be when services, buildings, educational centers, parks, and entertainment are easily accessible for everyone. While accessibility and provisions are outlined in the city’s Community Development Citizen Participation plan, I believe the city of Columbia must do more in creating an inclusive city so that everyone has a better chance of living independently. To do this, the city of Columbia must ensure that old and new infrastructure are made easily accessible and easy to evacuate if an emergency were to occur and, most importantly, the city must ensure the voices of the differently abled community are heard in all stages of every planning effort led by the city.
This story was originally published October 8, 2021 at 2:12 PM.
