The Richland County Council runoff is Tuesday. Here’s what to know about the candidates

The runoff for the Richland County Council is set for Tuesday, so if you’re still unfamiliar with the candidates, here’s your chance to get acquainted.

There are two Democratic candidates vying for the District 11 seat. The candidates include incumbent Chakisse Newton and Norman Jackson.

During the primaries, a third candidate, Eva Young-Prioleau, also ran for the seat, splitting the vote. Since none of the three candidates won more than 50% of the vote, a runoff was needed between the top two candidates with the most votes.

Register to vote, check eligibility, view sample ballots and find polling places at scvotes.gov. Voters must register at least 30 days in advance of an election to vote in it.

The information below was provided by the candidates.

Candidate: Chakisse Newton (Incumbent)

Age: 47

How long have you lived in Richland County?

I was born and raised here. I have lived here all my life apart from my time in college and two years working in Dallas, Texas.

What do you do for a living?

I’m the president and owner of Cardinal Consulting. As a business strategist and leadership expert, I’ve worked around the world with Fortune 50 companies, leading nonprofits and other organizations to bring people together, manage large budgets, improve service delivery and innovate to solve problems. These are qualities that Richland County needs.

What is your educational background?

I have a bachelor’s degree from Boston University where I graduated summa cum laude. I have also participated in other business and non-profit leadership programs in addition to continuing education and business certification programs.

What is your political background, if any?

2018 was my first-ever run for public office when I defeated the 12-year incumbent who previously represented the district. In 2019 I became a James E. Clyburn Fellow, a program offering leadership, policy, and campaign training to young professionals in South Carolina.

Why are you running for this office?

I’m running because I love my community and want to work together with my constituents to ensure that District 11 gets the resources that it needs and deserves. In my first term in office we fixed the mismanagement of the Penny Tax, resolved previous council scandals and continued to serve through Covid. But there’s more work to do. We still have major needs around infrastructure, public safety, and sustainable growth. We also need to continue to be good stewards of our taxpayer dollars and ensure that residents get the quality services they pay for - from garbage pickup to road repair.

If elected, what would be your top three priorities?

• Responsible growth and infrastructure
  
  

• Public safety
  
  

• Economic development in District 11
  
  

What’s the biggest issue in your district and how would you address it?

One of the biggest issues in District 11 is to ensure that we have responsible growth or smart growth, while addressing our infrastructure and community needs. We know that growth is coming to Lower Richland, and we see housing developments that were approved many years ago breaking ground now. We’re working on:

• Setting council policy to provide infrastructure and resources to high-growth areas. (This is part of our current strategic planning process.)
  
  

• Enhancing our collaboration with SCDOT, which manages most of the main roads in our area, to address road maintenance, congestion, and future growth
  
  

• Fixing the land development code to address community concerns and protect rural and agricultural areas
  
  

• Updating the county comprehensive plan to reflect our community character as part of the neighborhood planning process

Candidate: Norman Jackson

Age: 55

How long have you lived in Richland County?

45 Years

What do you do for a living?

Retired/Restaurateur

What is your educational background?

General Certificate of Education (GCE) Math, Physics, Chemistry, History and English, Cambridge England; Architectural Engineering, College of Arts Science and Technology (CAST/U Tech), Mona Jamaica; Civil Engineering Technology/Architecture, Midlands Technical College, Columbia SC; Community Economic Development, Development Training Institute, (DTI) Baltimore MD; Government, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Cambridge MA. South Carolina Economic Development Academy

What is your political background, if any?

Served on Richland County Council. Served as Chairman of Richland County Council and Central Midlands Council of Government

Why are you running for this office?

To bring back Representation/Leadership for the Citizens of District 11 and improve our Quality of Life by addressing the problems citizens are concerned about.

If elected, what would be your top three priorities?

Restore the Neighborhood Master Plan which allows the community to have input in the planning process on how the community should grow, working with the development and business community. Restore the after school programs that was removed. Restore the programs for the Seniors at the Adult Activity Centers. Work with Law-enforcement addressing the gun violence and the increase in crimes in our community.

What’s the biggest issue in your district and how would you address it? Biggest issue is lack of Representation/Leadership to address Sprawl through the Gentrification Program. Reinstate the Neighborhood Master Plan developed by the Citizens, the Business and Development community, on how we should grow. Partnership with the City by investing in the shelters to accommodate those who are in need and keeping the homeless off the streets. Work with Law-enforcement to address the gun violence and high crime plaguing our community. Reinstate the programs for the children and the seniors that was removed by the current councilperson.

Work with work force development groups and the Office of Small Business Opportunity at Richland County to increase training and employment for small businesses and residents.

Work to improve quality of life for seniors.

Work to improve houses damaged in 2015 flood by utilizing the funds granted to the County for recovery.

Work to return to roads promised upon passing of the penny tax by getting experienced and responsible Engineering Companies to complete the project. All roads in the City are completed and the rural areas are not.