This past Sunday, we stopped by The Mansion on Blanding to attend the official campaign kickoff and fundraiser for Sam Johnson’s run for Columbia City Council At-Large. It was a full-circle moment—seeing so many familiar faces, reconnecting with longtime friends, and being reminded that when Columbia comes together, there’s a unique kind of energy that fills the room.
But what truly made the afternoon meaningful was knowing that Sam Johnson is stepping up once again to serve the city he’s always called home. His campaign theme, “It’s About You,” isn’t just a slogan. It speaks directly to the kind of leader Sam is: rooted in service, guided by purpose, and committed to making sure every corner of Columbia is seen, heard, and supported.
When I first met Sam years ago at the Statehouse, he was part of that new wave of young Black political operatives brought in by Anton Gunn, sharp, focused, and already showing signs of the leader he would become. Even then, Sam stood out. He wasn’t there to take up space, he was there to move things forward. That drive, that clarity of purpose, has always stuck with me.
That same promise showed up again when he joined Mayor Steve Benjamin’s administration. As Chief of Staff, Sam played a key leadership role in some of the city’s most visible and impactful efforts, from the My Brother’s Keeper Columbia initiative, to the Famously Hot New Year celebration, to the early stages of the BullStreet redevelopment. He also helped lead the charge in securing over $1 billion in economic investment into the Columbia region. That’s not theory. That’s results.
Sam is not new to leadership, and he’s not new to Columbia. The son of a truck driver and an Alzheimer’s nurse, he knows what hard work looks like. He knows what community feels like. Raised in Columbia, educated here, and now raising his own daughters here, Sam doesn’t just represent this city—he reflects it.
His campaign is built around a vision that meets this moment. He’s committed to:
- Promoting inclusive growth, with support for small businesses, smart development, investment in the arts, and a revitalized riverfront.
- Tackling Columbia’s housing crisis through affordable and well-regulated rental strategies, with less bureaucracy and more action.
- Prioritizing public safety, by strengthening our first responders and ensuring we have the tools to recruit and retain trusted officers and educators.
- Delivering real constituent service, so that every neighborhood gets the attention, resources, and representation it deserves.
But what makes Sam’s campaign especially important is this: he’s not a stranger to the community. He’s not someone popping up with polished messaging and no roots. He’s been here. He’s always been here. If you’ve worked in or around Columbia’s civic spaces, you’ve seen him. If you’ve attended a city event, volunteered in a neighborhood initiative, or pushed for policy change, you’ve crossed paths with Sam.
(Photo by: Michael R. Bailey)
And the good news? You’ll keep seeing him.
Because Sam is from Columbia. He’s for Columbia. And he’s running to make sure that when Columbia grows, every community grows with it—not just the ones with access or money or power. He’s the kind of leader who believes that progress means all of us move forward.
That’s why I’m glad Sam Johnson is running. He’s the kind of leadership Columbia needs—and the kind we can trust.
