Three-way race for Rock Hill’s most competitive city council seat

Three candidates have registered to run for the Ward 5 seat on the Rock Hill City Council.

Incumbent Ann Williamson faces challengers Nikita Jackson and Brandon Smith in the 2017 Rock Hill general election to be held Oct. 17.

Williamson, who has served on the council since 2014, is seeking her second term since taking over after longtime council member Osbey Roddey.

Ward 5 represents the southernmost portion of Rock Hill, including neighborhoods throughout Albright Road and Saluda Street. The ward also stretches into downtown Rock Hill, including parts of Main Street.

Smith, a 31-year-old Rock Hill native, is a residential home builder and youth pastor. He will host a campaign event 11 a.m. Saturday at The House of Beauty on Saluda Street.

Jackson is a lifelong Rock Hill resident and Northwestern High School graduate.

Williamson lives on Hampton Street, while Jackson and Smith live on Southland Drive and Clinton Avenue, respectively.

Rock Hill voters will go to the polls in October to elect a new mayor and members for three council seats. Longtime Mayor Doug Echols is stepping away after 28 years of public service.

The seats for Ward 4, 5, and 6 are held by John Black, Williamson and Jim Reno, respectively.

Black is the lone candidate for Ward 4, while Barrett Maners of Milton Avenue in Rock Hill filed Friday to challenge Reno in Ward 6.

Three candidates have filed to run for Echols’ seat. They are Rock Hill Sports Commission chair John Gettys, York County Councilman William “Bump” Roddey and local landscape architect Duane Christopher.

This story was originally published August 18, 2017 at 5:12 PM with the headline "Three-way race for Rock Hill’s most competitive city council seat."