DISTRICT 1
Sam Davis (incumbent)
Credentials: Business consultant and city councilman since 1998, who faces a challenger for the first time
Focuses on: Development in north Columbia. He supports redeveloping the Bull Street campus, which is adjacent to the district.
Learn more: Davis’ city profile is found at http://bit.ly/HAR4N4.
Bruce Trezevant
Credentials: Former police officer who owns a surveillance camera company
Focuses on: Public safety. He wants more foot patrols and cameras in the district and has said crime there is down because police aren’t taking reports.
Learn more: Trezevant’s campaign website is found at http://bit.ly/170K6fp.
DISTRICT 4
Leona Plaugh (incumbent)
Credentials: Small business owner and former city manager who is finishing her first term on council
Focuses on: “Keeping them honest.” She has gained a reputation as a consistent “no” vote on council and has stressed slowing down on big votes and being fiscally responsible.
Learn more: Plaugh’s campaign website is found at http://bit.ly/1iFW4uI.
Todd Walter
Credentials: Real estate development, making his foray into politics.
Focuses on: Being more productive. Walter wants to bring more companies to Columbia and says Plaugh is often too negative. “I just hope I can do better,” he told The State in September.
Learn more: Walter does not have a campaign website.
AT-LARGE
Tameika Isaac Devine (incumbent)
Credentials: Lawyer who, in 2002, became the first black woman to serve on City Council
Focuses on: A medley of goals. She has said that if re-elected, she hopes to make Columbia greener, make it more bike- and pedestrian-friendly and add youth programs to prevent crime.
On public safety: She has advocated for cameras citywide and said that the city should “look at policies and programs that address the root causes of crime,” including youth programs.
On economic development: Devine wants to take another look at redeveloping Millwood Avenue, North Main Street and Two Notch Road, but she’s wary of moving too fast on projects like the Bull Street project.
Learn more: Devine’s website is found at http://bit.ly/1iFZ4Y6.
Tommy Burkett
Credentials: Small business owner who helped found the North Columbia Business Association
Focuses on: Public safety. He helped get cameras installed in the Eau Claire neighborhood and calls violent crime “our most important challenge.”
On public safety: He is president of the Columbia police Citizen Police Alumni Association and said while announcing his candidacy that public safety was his primary focus.
On economic development: He wants city government to focus more on its core functions, and he’s opposed to the Bull Street redevelopment and purchase of the Palmetto Compress warehouse.
Learn more: Burkett’s campaign Facebook page is found at http://on.fb.me/17GFDgu.