COLUMBIA, S.C. — Sam Johnson, a Columbia native and civic leader with deep experience in public policy and economic development, has announced his candidacy for an at-large seat on Columbia City Council.
A product of Columbia’s working-class roots, Johnson is the son of a truck driver and an Alzheimer’s nurse. He credits his parents’ long hours and sacrifices for instilling in him a strong work ethic and an unshakable belief in what’s possible. His grandmother, Mary Starks, also inspired his drive as one of South Carolina’s first professional Black women golfers.
“Columbia raised me,” said Johnson. “This city gave me everything—and now I want to give back in a new way. I’m running because I believe in a Columbia where every neighborhood thrives, every voice is heard, and every family has a fair shot.”
Johnson began his public service career as a staff member in the Mayor’s Office under then-Mayor Steve Benjamin, following Benjamin’s landmark 2009 election. During his tenure, Johnson helped lead key initiatives including My Brother’s Keeper Columbia, the Famously Hot New Year celebration, the Bull Street redevelopment, and the Mayor’s Fellows program. He also played a pivotal role in helping secure more than $1 billion in economic investment for the city.
A graduate of Spring Valley High School and the University of South Carolina, Johnson also holds a juris doctorate from the University of South Carolina School of Law. He has worked at the law firm Maynard Nexsen alongside former Mayor Bob Coble, focusing on public policy and job creation.
Today, Johnson serves as Chief Executive Officer of Civint, a civic intelligence firm founded by Mayor Benjamin that advises companies and nonprofits nationwide on navigating local government. He assumed the role in April 2023 after Benjamin stepped away to serve as Senior Advisor to President Joe Biden.
Johnson is married to local attorney Ashley Johnson, and the couple are raising two daughters—five-year-old Kennedy and newborn Olivia—in Columbia.
“This campaign isn’t about me—it’s about us,” Johnson said. “It’s about what we can build together when we lead with purpose, listen with empathy, and act with urgency. I’m ready to serve Columbia with the same dedication and passion that’s defined my life’s work.”
For more information about Sam Johnson’s campaign or to view his announcement video, here.
