Mayor Steve Benjamin of Columbia endorses James Smith
November 13, 2017
Mayor says Smith will make real change in South Carolina
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Mayor Steve Benjamin, of Columbia, S.C., today endorsed James Smith’s candidacy for Governor of South Carolina. James Smith is the State Representative for much of Columbia and Richland County.
“I have seen James push the envelope and bring people together to make real change here in Columbia,” Benjamin said, endorsing the Democratic candidate.
“As mayor, I know real progress is made when you focus less on politics and more on what’s right. James has always served that way, and I know he will put the people of South Carolina before political games. He will be a Governor we can be proud of, and I am honored to endorse him.”
Accepting the endorsement, Smith said “I am humbled to receive the endorsement of a leader like Mayor Benjamin. The City of Columbia is a better place because of his leadership and I look forward to working with him to make South Carolina a better place for all of our residents.”
Benjamin is the first African American mayor in Columbia’s history, elected in 2010. He is the President-Elect of the U.S. Conference of Mayors and spoke in October 2017 at a kickoff event in Columbia for James Smith’s campaign.
