How to find The State’s endorsements in 2025 Columbia mayor and council elections
Early voting is underway in municipal elections across South Carolina in the run-up to Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 4. In Columbia, voters will elect the city’s mayor for the next four years and three members of City Council who are running for an at-large seat and elections in District 1 and District 4.
Here are The McClatchy South Carolina Editorial Board’s recommendations in those races along with the interviews we did with the candidates ahead of making each endorsement so you can assess the candidates for yourselves as well. As a bonus, at the end, you can also see what each of the city candidates said about safeguarding Finlay Park following its $25 million renovation.
The State endorsement: Our choice in the Columbia mayor’s race
Meet the candidates running to be mayor of Columbia
The State endorsement: Our choice in the at-large Columbia City race
Meet the candidates running for at-large Columbia City Council
The State endorsement: Our choice in Columbia City Council District One
Meet the candidates running for Columbia City Council in District One
The State endorsement: Our choice in Columbia City Council District Four
Meet the candidates running for Columbia City Council in District Four
Bonus: What candidates in Columbia say about protecting Finlay Park
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREHow we do endorsements
Members of The McClatchy South Carolina Editorial Board interviewed and researched candidates running for mayor and City Council in Columbia and Myrtle Beach and in a special election in SC House District 88 in Lexington County in 2025. We based endorsements on our reporting and fact-checking — and on each candidate’s achievements, background, character, demeanor and experience.
The endorsements were made by South Carolina Opinion Editor Matthew T. Hall, a Columbia resident; Sherry Beasley, a longtime educator and Columbia resident; Toni Etheridge, a strategic advisor and writer who lives in Forest Acres; Paul Osmundson, a retired senior editor at The State and a Forest Acres resident; and Pat Robertson, a retired editor and outdoors columnist who lives in Blythewood.
If you have questions or comments about our endorsements, please email Hall at mhall@thestate.com.