Columbus Mayoral Race Heats Up as Darren Leach Officially Enters the Running

Columbus Gears Up for a New Mayor

In the heart of Columbus, an exciting political race is heating up as local pastor and community leader Darren Leach officially throws his hat into the ring for the mayoral seat. Calling his journey a parallel to the story of Nehemiah from the Old Testament, Leach believes his years of experience have prepared him for this important role just as Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem to rebuild its walls.

Surveying the Landscape

Leach, who has spent the last 17 years “surveying” the city, shared his vision with a cozy gathering of about 25 supporters at the Genesis Dream Center on Northside. “I have children and grandchildren that live here,” he declared, emphasizing the need to create a city that is conducive for future generations. “We’ve got to make this place conducive for them to grow.”

As one of four candidates in the running for mayor, Leach is joined by Ward 5 Councilman Stephen Jones, Lowndes County District Supervisor Leroy Brooks, and Realtor Bill Strauss. With qualifying for next year’s elections kicking off on January 2, tensions are rising and the competition is heating up!

A Background Rooted in Columbus

Originally from Columbus, Leach’s journey took him to New York City before returning to graduate from Caldwell High School. He later earned a mechanical engineering degree from Tennessee State University, which led him to a decade-long career in the private sector, dabbling in mortgage brokering and real estate development along the way. “None of that stuff stuck,” he jokingly admitted, until Mayor Keith Gaskin came calling, nudging him towards this mayoral run. “God had systemically been moving me through these things to prepare me for this job,” he said with conviction.

Rebuilding and Revitalizing

With a catchy campaign slogan like “Rebuild Our Communities,” Leach’s platform rests on five essential pillars: focusing on neighborhoods where families can thrive, improving infrastructure including affordable housing, expanding the tax base, enhancing public safety, and investing in youth and recreation. With an engineer’s mind and a public servant’s heart, Leach feels poised to bridge the gap between vision and reality.

“I see what should be,” he said, filled with determination. “I’ve been trained to develop strategies that take us from vision to ‘we have it.’” His optimism shines through, suggesting Columbus can re-establish itself as a desirable place to live, work, and play.

A Friendly Competition

Interestingly, Leach does not view his opponents as competitors but rather as fellow candidates seeking the best for the city. “Columbus’ competitors are cities like Starkville, West Point, and Tupelo,” he noted. “They’re all vying for the businesses that could thrive in our community. We need to put the right measures in place to make Columbus the number one choice.”

In his introduction, Mayor Gaskin revealed that he would have sought re-election if Leach hadn’t stepped up. Gaskin praised Leach’s unique combination of knowledge and compassion, making for a formidable contender in the upcoming election.

Support from Unexpected Places

Even among his rivals, camaraderie is blossoming. Bill Strauss attended Leach’s announcement and publicly commended him, stating, “He’s got his heart in the right place.” Strauss, while still in the race, expressed a hopeful notion of working together before the election is finalized.

The Road Ahead

Leach is aware that some of his opponents, particularly the sitting elected officials Brooks and Jones, come with greater name recognition. But he’s not daunted. “Work hard,” he said, describing his game plan for the next six months. “By sharing my message with as many people as possible, passionately, I’ll show them either that I am not the best person for this job, or that I am the right choice.”

As the electoral season approaches, the buzz around Columbus is palpable. The community watches closely as candidates lay out their visions, and the people prepare to choose the leader who will guide them into the future.