Last Friday, I proudly walked into the Elections Office at 2020 Hampton Street to cast my ballot for our city’s next At-Large seat. Each and every time I vote, I’m reminded of the generations of Black men and women, individuals including my own family, who fought hard to make that moment possible. My parents raised me to understand that voting is not just a right; it is an act of respect for the people who laid the foundation for us. It is a way of saying, “I’m still carrying the work forward.”
That’s why I show up for this city, and why I’m running to serve it.
Columbia has shaped me, challenged me, pushed me, and ultimately given me the tools to serve. For years, I’ve worked alongside community leaders, small business owners, nonprofits, and neighborhood advocates to strengthen the places where people actually live their lives. I’ve served on boards focused on mentorship, health, and opportunity, because I believe public service is something you live, not something you claim.
That belief is what guides my vision for Columbia.
I want a city where every neighborhood is safe, not just patrolled, but supported.
A city where families can afford to stay and grow.
A city where we tackle homelessness with real pathways to stability, not temporary solutions.
A city where small businesses feel seen and heard, and where growth benefits everyone, not just a few zip codes.
These aren’t abstract ideas to me. They are commitments I’ve carried into every room I’ve worked in, whether it was helping neighbors facing displacement, supporting youth programs, or advocating for smart investments that made our communities stronger. Service is not something I do – it’s honestly how I was raised to move through the world.
Now, as a husband to Ashley and a father of two young girls, that commitment feels even more urgent. Kennedy and Olivia are growing up in a city we all love deeply. They’re watching how Ashley and I lead, how we treat each other, and how we choose to show up when it’s hard. And, I want them to inherit a Columbia that reflects the very values I try to teach them: dignity, courage, compassion, and fairness.
That’s why voting matters so much, because the Columbia we build today is the one our children will live in tomorrow.
And that responsibility, well, it belongs to ALL OF US.
Tomorrow is Election Day – Tuesday, November 18th.
Your voice matters.
Your vote matters.
And together, we can build a better Columbia – one that everyone deserves.
With deep gratitude,
Sam Johnson
Candidate, Columbia City Council At-Large
