Election Information:This Municipal Election will be held Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Your address indicates you live in the district for this race.To find your Election Day polling location, go to: https://vrems.scvotes.sc.gov/Voter/Login?PageMode=PollingPlaceEARLY VOTING: If you prefer to vote prior to November 4, 2025, you can vote during a two-week early voting period Monday, October 20 through Friday, October 31, except Saturday and Sunday, at YOUR county voter registration office. If you are registered in Richland County, go to the Richland County Voter Registration and Elections Office: 2020 Hampton Street, Columbia, SC 29204. If you are registered in Lexington County, go to the Lexington County Voter Registration and Elections Office: 605 West Main Street, Room 130, Lexington, SC 29072.ABSENTEE VOTING: You may be eligible to vote absentee by mail. For details on eligibility and how to submit your request, see this SC Election Commission Voting Absentee page: https://www.scvotes.gov/absentee-voting.Position Description:The City of Columbia has a nonpartisan council-manager form of government, including the mayor and 6 council members who serve 4-year alternating terms. The mayor is elected at-large. The council includes 4 single-member seats and 2 at-large seats. The mayor and council members have equal votes and are responsible for making policy, enacting laws, and appointing the City Manager. To serve as Mayor or Council Member a person must be a resident of the city, at least 18 years of age and registered to vote.
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Campaign Phone
8032161948
Campaign Email
Aditi@aditiforthecity.com
Education
PhD, USC, MPH, George Washington University, BA, UVA
I ran for office because I believe every family deserves to feel safe, supported, and proud to call Columbia home. As a public health researcher, I’ve spent my career solving tough problems and making systems work better for people. We’ve brought in $2.5 billion in new investment, created thousands of jobs, launched Rapid Shelter Columbia to help those experiencing homelessness, raised pay for first responders, and strengthened public safety with programs like Lock It Up Columbia. We’ve improved parks, supported small businesses, and made city services more accessible. I’m running again to build on these achievements and finish the work of making Columbia stronger, safer, and more vibrant for every family.
I’ve delivered real solutions to Columbia’s housing challenges such as launching projects that turn vacant city land into homes, expanding affordable options like duplexes and townhomes, and protecting renters through stronger code enforcement. I’ve stood firm against every tax and fee increase to give families relief. My focus is clear: help workers live closer to their jobs, strengthen neighborhoods with mixed-income housing, and open doors for first-time homebuyers through city-backed programs and partnerships.
As a public health researcher, I know reducing crime means addressing root causes. I combined prevention with action: raising pay for police and firefighters, investing in new equipment, and improving security resources at major events. I launched Lock It Up Columbia, distributing hundreds of free gun locks, and spearheaded the state’s firearm reporting ordinance. With more investment in street lighting, cameras, and stronger community policing, we’ve seen fewer police vacancies and a steady drop in violent crime over the last three years. I’ll keep addressing root causes, expanding community-based solutions, and ensuring every family in Columbia feels safe.
Columbia is turning a corner. Since I was elected, we’ve seen historic new investments, cut red tape by moving business licenses online, recruited businesses, and reinvested city property into community priorities. Now it’s about building on that momentum, like reopening Finlay Park, finishing the Williams Street extension riverfront, and creating more walkable, connected neighborhoods. I’m focused on supporting small businesses, fostering entrepreneurs and building density downtown so we keep talent here. My goal is simple: grow jobs, strengthen neighborhoods, and make Columbia a city of opportunity for all.
Campaign Email
jaredjohnson4@gmail.com
Education
Bachelor’s in Mass Communication
Qualifications
I organized the city’s first Black Lives Matter mural. I also created the Book Blackout and filled the Little Free Libraries in 29205 with brand new books by Black authors. I’m a community organizer that has had several successful municipal projects. There’s so much I could list or say that could count as “qualifications.” But the main qualification is that I’m a resident of Columbia who is part of the working class and I care about affordability and helping those who are getting left behind.
The combination of city council repealing the conversion therapy ban, the expanding affordability crisis, and having an at large incumbent who uses the platform to boost their public profile and online profile are the things that prompted and compelled me to run. No one on city council is working class, or part of the working poor, and everyday people deserve a voice and say in how we can keep the city affordable…while growing and moving forward. And we all deserve leaders that actually care and couple that care with a real understanding of what it is like for the working class of Columbia.
Local housing affordability can be addressed by the city owning the issue and taking charge of the issue. If elected, I would work to create income based housing that’s operated by the city and supported with a municipal housing endowment. This endowment would make money within itself and that growth would cover maintenance of the housing…help create more income based housing…and be a financial life line for those who are facing difficulties covering their own housing costs due to emergency or special circumstances. So many people will lump mental illness and substance use with the housing issue but that’s only a small part of the issue. Housing and homelessness is truly an affordability issue and it’s time for the city to change that.
When people’s basic needs are met, crimes go down. Period. I would address crime by not being sensational. I would address the issue of crime with care and concern. We have to fill the gaps and give people the tools and things they need to survive and grow. People turn to crime because they feel hopeless and they feel there are no alternatives. It’s heartbreaking. As a councilman, I would have that heart and care and make sure people feel seen and heard and have the basics met. That is how you solve crime. Caring and supporting and being an intercessor or solution before folks turn to crime is the key to stemming it.
I would also work to implement a Percent for Public Art Policy. This approach and policy will allocate 1% of the construction or renovation budget for publicly funded projects or private development projects within the city. This policy would provide a consistent stream of funding for public art programs and organizations and local artists. There are so many artists in this city and they deserve funding and the opportunity to create art in Columbia and for Columbia.
I also would work to create a city kitchen that provides free breakfast & free lunch for anyone. I would leverage the power of our municipality and partner with local farmers, chefs, and food suppliers and create great menus and delicious food. Food insecurity has to end.
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