Last Tuesday, voters took to the polls and voted for candidates in both mayoral and council races for the City of Charleston. Chamber PAC-endorsed incumbent John Tecklenburg received the second highest voter count and will now face a challenger in a run-off on November 21st. Mayor Tecklenburg has continuously demonstrated his commitment to Chamber priorities and we encourage you to consider the significance of his re-election for the good of our region.
Infrastructure
A few weeks ago, Mayor Tecklenburg was up in Columbia with our lobbyist, Bailey Vincett and other elected officials advocating for critical funding towards the Mark Clark Extension. As a result, the State Infrastructure Bank unanimously voted to contribute $75 million for the project. Under the mayor’s leadership, the city has made progress on drainage, bike-pedestrian pathways and other road improvements.
Comprehensive Planning
Here at the Chamber, we believe that great communities don’t happen without planning. Mayor Tecklenburg’s administration has prioritized the creation of comprehensive plans to guide the city’s future. In addition to the drafting of several neighborhood-focused plans, the mayor is leading an effort to create a Charleston “City Plan” to address resiliency, equity, housing and transportation. For the first time in 50 years, the City of Charleston will also work on a complete rewrite of its zoning codes. This effort will, ideally, create more opportunities for businesses and housing that currently do not exist.
Resiliency and Sustainability
Mayor Tecklenburg’s commitment to protecting Charleston from natural disasters and sea level rise has been evident throughout his time in office. The city recently published a Climate Action Plan and a 2023 Flooding and Sea Level Rise Strategy to tackle these complex issues.
Workforce Housing
The housing attainability crisis is a top concern for both the Chamber and Mayor Tecklenburg. Under the mayor’s leadership, the city has dedicated funding to affordable housing and created incentives for developers to include workforce housing units. The mayor, who attended the Chamber’s first Attainable Housing Summit, has been a strong voice in the community for housing.
Trusted Partner
The Chamber follows the partnership model of government relations. Our goal is to identify the shared values with our local leaders to create a prosperous business environment. This can only be achieved when there are trusted elected partners. Mayor Tecklenburg was the first mayor to organize quarterly meetings with key business leaders to discuss the critical issues and plan for action. Each quarter we review our progress and hold ourselves accountable on issues like mobility, attainable housing, and economic development. Because of Mayor Tecklenburg, your Chamber is at the initiation of significant policy changes and always has the opportunity for input. We are grateful for this partnership.
Mayor Tecklenburg is the leader we need to create an equitable, prosperous community for all. Please join the Chamber PAC in supporting him on November 21st. We cannot risk losing the progress we have made so far. For more information on early voting and the poll location, please click here.
In addition to Mayor Tecklenburg, another Chamber PAC-endorsed candidate is facing a runoff, as William Tinkler looks to secure the seat for District 9 in the City of Charleston. For those residing in District 9, we ask that you show your support for William at the polls.
The Chamber PAC relies on the backing of donors in order to support candidates who promote the advancement of our region’s business community. If you would like to contribute to the Chamber’s PAC, we would like to extend an invitation to this year’s PAC Winner’s Reception, to connect with newly elected officials. To learn more about how you can attend, visit the PAC Winners Reception page or contact Diamond Curry at dcurry@charlestonchamber.org.
