CHAKISSE NEWTON FILES TO RUN FOR RICHLAND COUNTY COUNCIL
Lower Richland native launches campaign for Council District #11
COLUMBIA, SC – On Thursday, March 29, Chakisse Newton, a Lower Richland native and marketing and public relations professional, announced she will be a Democratic candidate for Richland County Council District #11 in 2018.
“It’s a new day for Richland County, and I’m running for the Democratic nomination for County Council because I have roots in this community, I have a record of service, and I have the business experience necessary to help the council continue to serve the people of Richland County,” Newton said. “As our next council representative, I am ready to put my history of service to use for the people of District #11 and advocate on their behalf.”
Daughter of the late Sherry and Robert Newton, Chakisse was born in Columbia and spent her childhood between the communities of Eastway Park, Valley Park and Hopkins. With a mother in banking and a father who was a well-known musician, Chakisse learned early on the importance of reinvesting in her community and using her talents and skills to give back.
Beyond her parents, Chakisse’s roots in District #11 go deep. The Newton family has lived in Hopkins for five generations where a road is named after her great-great grandmother, Mary Newton. Her grandfather, Robert Newton Sr., and his sister (her grandaunt) Hattie Newton Fruster, along with other family members, were leaders in politics, civil rights organizing, and played integral roles in improving local public schools.
If elected, Newton will focus on improving the quality of life for all residents in Council District #11. She will work to make county government more transparent and accountable and prioritize improvements to our infrastructure. She will push Richland County to position District #11 to attract more better-paying jobs, and work to create better relationships and partnerships to bring about needed change.
“From improving EMS response times to requiring accountability of the Penny Tax program, there are decisions made at the county government level that affect all residents of Richland County, regardless of where you live,” Newton said. “I believe all elected officials should be responsive to their constituents, and I will go to work every single day to make life better for the people of County Council District #11.”
Newton’s professional experience includes an array of business and leadership experience. Beginning her career in high tech, healthcare and higher education, Newton is the founder and owner of Cardinal Consulting, where she works with non-profit groups, small and large businesses and global organizations like Microsoft and Walmart. As Asst. Vice President of Marketing for Midlands Technical College, Newton led the effort to rebrand the college, enhance its image, and promote workforce education in the Midlands.
Newton serves on the board of the United Way of the Midlands, where she has volunteered for more than 10 years. Other board service includes S.C. Independent Colleges and Universities, Friends of Richland Library, Columbia Opportunity Resource, the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, and others. She is a Liberty Fellow, Furman University Riley Diversity Leadership Fellow, Leadership Columbia graduate (class of 2011) and a graduate of Blueprint for Leadership.
Newton is the recipient of the 2010 President’s Volunteer Service Award, 2012 Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce Young Leader of the Year Award, 2014 Palmetto TWIN Award, and The State’s “20 Under 40” in 2015. She is also a two-time finalist in the Toastmaster’s International World Championship of Public Speaking.
She has been married for the past 18 years to her husband John Lowry, an Army veteran and local photographer. They are the proud parents of two sons, Max (age 11) and Luke (age 9). A graduate of Dreher High School, Newton went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from Boston University with summa cum laude honors.
Candidate filing for County Council District 11 and other offices in South Carolina closes at 12 noon on March 30. Represented by Democrat Norman Jackson since 2006, Richland County Council District #11 includes voters in Richland County in and around the Garners Ferry Road corridor, from the Dorn VA Hospital to Lower Richland Boulevard.
For more information about Newton, please access her campaign website at votechakisse.com, connect on Facebook and Twitter, or call 803.753.1311.