Why this candidate running for Columbus Council has withdrawn from the race
Chris Kelley announced Friday he is withdrawing from the Columbus Council District 7 race.. But during his news conference at the City Services Center, he left the door open to run for another office.
Kelley filed his declaration of intention to run for the District 7 seat, currently held by mayoral candidate Joanne Cogle, in July. He is a congressional staffer working for U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop, serving as the deputy district director.
Several other candidates running for multiple offices attended the new conference, including mayoral candidate Steve Kelly, Columbus Council District 1 candidate Karen Gaskins and Columbus Council citywide District 9 candidate Rocky Marsh.
Also in attendance were the remaining two candidates for the District 7 race, Becca Zajac and Marquese “Skinny” Averett.
Kelley said the attendance of all these individuals was by design.
“Times like this, times like these, call for all of us to sacrifice for the greater good,” he said. “Our political space in this community has become extremely toxic. It has become a cesspool of division and has threatened to destroy not only the gains of the past but the opportunities, the hopes and the dreams of generations to come.”
Although he did believe he was the best person to represent District 7, Kelley said, he saw a different opportunity.
“I saw an opportunity in my opponents,” he said. “I said, ‘We can actually share the ball. … Michael Jordan passed the ball. He didn’t win every title without doing that. I believe that, in those I have acknowledged here in District 7, there is a wealth of wisdom, tenacity and know-how.”
Kelley said he plans to partner with the winner and support them through his “boots-on-the-ground” work with Bishop’s office.
“We just have to make sure we keep the people first,” he said. “It’s not about my agenda. We have to meet the needs of the constituents.”
When asked whether he might run for another office, Kelley left the door open.
“I don’t do this for position and title,” he said. “And if God so moves, then hopefully these people are not so disgusted with me for stepping out now that they’ll support me again. But if that happens, I’ll gladly take that step. I trust that I am exemplifying a part of leadership that is often overlooked, and that is humility.”
