Kathy Maness, who has served on Lexington Town Council for nearly two decades is departing her post. 

Her advice: Pay attention to who is running for council in the Nov. 7 election.

During a Sept. 5 council meeting, Maness officially announced her departure from the body on which she has served since 2004. She said her position as president for the National League of Cities helped her spread the word about Lexington.

“I love bragging about our town and all the good things that we do,” she said.

Though Maness is leaving her council post, she remains the executive director of the Palmetto State Teachers Association and was the first person from South Carolina to serve as president of the National League of Cities. Maness also unsuccessfully ran for the Republican nomination for state superintendent of education in 2022, falling to Ellen Weaver, who ultimately won the position.

Maness told the Chronicle that last year’s state superintendent race didn’t play a part in her decision to leave council.

Looking ahead to her departure, Maness said she wants to see people elected who will continue to have the best interest of the town at heart and who will work together with other council members to pursue that mission. She added, jokingly, that she doesn’t know what she will be doing with her Monday nights now, as council meets on two Monday nights each month.

“It’s very important that our citizens pay attention to the candidates who are running to serve on this council. Study the candidates do not just go to that ballot box and check those names,” Maness said during the Sept. 5 meeting. “You need to study them. We have some candidates and some of them are here. That will continue to make Lexington a great place to live and to work.”

“But in my opinion, we have others who are running that will set Lexington back and this cannot happen. I’m very concerned about some of the candidates.” she added.

Maness told the Chronicle that there are five very strong candidates running for council but would not elaborate further on which individuals she favors. Seven candidates have filed for the three at-large seats on the November ballot, including one incumbent in Todd Lyle.

Maness said opting not to seek re-election was a very hard decision and involved lots of thought and some tears. She said she knew leaving was the right decision when she and her family were at Disney World, and her husband remarked to her that he is often at home by himself.

“It was very hard because I love it, truly love it.” she said, “but it’s time to be there when my family needs me.”

Maness noted how much council has changed, telling the Chronicle that when she first joined, the body didn’t work together like it does now. She said that though council has disagreements, it’s okay because they’re able to handle them as a collective.

She said she is proud of the many years she has spent as a public servant, adding that she will continue to support community events, emphasizing how often she frequents the town’s Icehouse Amphitheater events, which she called Lexington’s “crown jewel”.

Maness’ father was also a public servant in the state, working for the people of Lancaster as a City Council member. She told the Chronicle that she watched her father be a true public servant.

“I know that he’s looking down from Heaven and he’s proud of what his daughter has done,” she said.