Change Address

VOTE411 Voter Guide

Lexington County Council District 4

Election InformationThe 2024 Party Primary Elections will be held Tuesday, June 11, 2024. Your address indicates you live in the district for this race. You may vote in either the Republican or the Democratic primary.To find your election day polling location, go to:https://vrems.scvotes.sc.gov/Voter/Login?PageMode=PollingPlaceOr you can vote early during a two-week early voting period at your County Voter Registration and Elections Office and other early voting locations from May 28 until June 7 except weekends. See:https://www.scvotes.gov/early-votingOr you may be eligible to vote absentee by mail. For details on eligibility and how to submit your request, see:https://www.scvotes.gov/absentee-votingPosition Description - Lexington County CouncilLexington County Council is composed of nine members, one from each district and, elected to 4-year terms. As the governing body of the county, it enacts laws by ordinance and may also adopt resolutions. The Council hires the county administrator; sets budgets; levies taxes; approves contracts, agreements, and bids; and appoints the membership of boards and committees. A council member must be a registered voter, a resident of their district and at least 18 years of age.

Click a candidate icon to find more information about the candidate. To compare two candidates, click the "compare" button. To start over, click a candidate icon.

  • Candidate picture

    Todd Cockrell
    (Rep)

  • Candidate picture

    Doug Leonard
    (Rep)

Biographical Information

1. How would you address the impact of population growth and development on roads, traffic, and schools?

2. What are your strategies for reducing gun violence?

3. How would you advocate for under-served areas of the county?

Campaign Phone 803-665-0025
Campaign Email Cockrelltodd@yahoo.com
Education Lexington High School
Qualifications In my career I have been in management since the age of 24 and advancing to General Manager of Sun Solutions. I currently run the SC division of Kamo Industrial Solutions. I also have served on the board of the Cayce West Columbia Chamber of Commerce
We need to pick better locations for new schools. New schools bring new neighborhoods and more traffic. With proper planning and working with developers to come up with a fair impact fee to help fund road improvements. I know this is not popular but the penny sales tax needs to be revisited. Our job would be to engage with the community and gain their trust that all the money would go towards roads. We would need to be 100% transparent on how the money could be spent. The penny tax shares the tax burden with visitors to Lexington from other areas. If passed this will keep property taxes from going up where only Lexington residents pay the cost of road upgrades. I see the penny tax as a tax savings to our residence over time.
Increase the penalties for crimes illegal gun activity and make sure the judges sentence accordingly. Gun education and responsibility are also important. Most guns used in crimes were stolen from a home or vehicle. Secure guns are harder be stolen.
Government programs only go so far in the community. Community awareness and engagement seems to be a very useful tool. Houses of worship and non-profits are more in tune with the needs of their community. I highly recommend everyone volunteer at a local non-profit or food bank CV at least a few hours a month. This is rewarding and so valuable to those in need. Mission Lexington is just one example of what a small team of compassionate people can do to help our community.
Campaign Phone 8033603782
Campaign Email votedougleonard@gmail.com
Education Airport High School, Midlands Tech, IUIPUI, University Of Wales, AMA, Disney Institute, SPC/Quality Process Control
Qualifications Business experience working for Pepsi, Caterpillar, Mobil Oil & Southeastern Freight Line, Real Estate Broker, Entrepreneur
Campaign Website http://votedougleonard.com
Our roads are the arteries of our community. I will prioritize road maintenance, fixing the 30-40% of our roads that are in disrepair, while also considering road capacity needs for the building permits already issued. I will link the pace of development with the capabilities of our infrastructure without creating more bureaucracy/red tape or a long approval process.
I am a firm supporter of the 2nd Amendment. We should enforce the laws currently in place.
I will meet with the citizens and leaders in each area to fully understand their needs, and work on county council to address those needs.