John Tyler, Columbia City Council at-large candidate

John Tyler 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.

Tyler recently responded to a candidate questionnaire from The State.

Name: John Tyler

Age: 36

Occupation: Cashier

Education: G.E.D, one year of college, cosmetologist

Political or civic experience: Being a mentor in the community and sitting on the board of the nonprofit organization One Common Cause Community Control Initiative

Campaign website: I don’t have a website but I can be reached on Facebook @JTyler4Council

Why are you running for this office?

To be in a better position to help the forgotten and underprivileged citizens. To show the public that your voice matters and you can do this, as well. To make sure there are no more favorites and every part of the city is equal.

If elected, what would your two or three priorities be during your first year in office?

Have mental health evaluations for incoming officers filling vacant positions, work with developers to get another grocery store for the Main Street district and work with the Columbia Housing Authority in trying to expedite their 2030 plan.

What unique skills or life perspective would you bring to city governance?

I believe in the principle that the people closest to the problem are the ones closest to the solution. With that being said knowing what the city needs to progress in the way that it desires, and the areas we need to work on to get to that goal. Having a position in city governance will give me that window and flexibility to achieve that goal

What current practice or policy of the city would you preserve or enhance? Why?

Maintain the weak mayor system and keep the power with the people and let them make the decisions themselves with our foresight and guidance.

This story was originally published October 8, 2021 at 2:11 PM.

Chris Trainor

The State

Chris Trainor is a retail reporter for The State and has been working for newspapers in South Carolina for more than 21 years, including previous stops at the (Greenwood) Index-Journal and the (Columbia) Free Times. He is the winner of a host of South Carolina Press Association awards, including honors in column writing, government beat reporting, profile writing, food writing, business beat reporting, election coverage, social media and more.