Recently, The Lexington County Chronicle announced the winners of its 2025 Lexington’s Best awards, recognizing outstanding individuals and businesses across more than 300 categories in our community. Many of this year’s honorees call our town home — yet another reminder that the Town of Lexington continues to be one of the best places in South Carolina to live, learn, worship and raise a family.

Among the winners — from favorite restaurants and barbers to doctors, attorneys and local boutiques — I was honored (and admittedly surprised) to be named Lexington’s Best Elected Official. It’s not a title I ever expected to hold, and to be honest, it’s a bit uncomfortable to say out loud. A friend even joked that the recognition felt a little like being voted “least ugly frog in the pond,” which gave me a good laugh — and some perspective.

My initial instinct was to keep the news to myself and carry on quietly. Not because I lacked appreciation, but because drawing attention to it felt self-congratulatory — and that’s not, and never will be, what public service is about for me.

But when my family learned of the news, they encouraged me to pause and lean into the moment, not to celebrate the award itself or pat myself on the back, but to reflect on what it represents.

This award was bestowed on me by none other than the people I serve, and that, to me, is deeply meaningful. It serves as a reminder that the work matters — that the time, the energy and the effort put in behind the scenes are both felt and appreciated. For that, I am sincerely grateful.

When I ran for office only two years ago, I didn’t set out to win accolades. I ran because I believe in the power of local government to make life better, not in theory, but in practice, each and every day. I believe in responsive leadership, in respecting the hard-earned dollars of our taxpayers, in maximum transparency and in doing the hard, often unseen work of building a stronger community.

That work takes many forms, but what I find most fulfilling are the one-on-one moments — the times when I can help a neighbor solve a problem, answer a question or simply feel heard. It’s returning a phone call on a Saturday morning from a resident concerned about speeding. It’s responding to emails about drainage issues or zoning changes. It’s reading every page of a council agenda — even the dense legal language — so I can make informed decisions on your behalf. And sometimes, it’s as simple as a conversation in the grocery store aisle with someone who just wants to share an idea or express a concern. Those moments may seem small, but to me, they’re the most important part of the job.

A few months ago, I received a handwritten note from a Lexington resident I had helped with a relatively minor issue. It was nothing that would have made headlines, but it mattered to her. In that note, she wrote, “Thank you for making me feel like I mattered.” I’ve kept that note in my desk ever since. It reminds me that this role is not about politics — it’s about people.

That’s the standard I strive to uphold: to lead with humility, to listen with intention, to ask the tough questions and to serve with integrity. Every vote, every meeting, every decision should reflect that commitment, and always put our citizens first.

Of course, public service comes with its fair share of complexity. The issues that come before council often don’t have easy answers. Reasonable people can — and often do — disagree. But I believe strongly that respectful dialogue, a willingness to listen and a commitment to doing what’s right should always guide the way. My goal is never to win every argument, but to ask the right questions, understand the implications and make decisions that reflect the best interest of our citizens.

I don’t claim to have all the answers — and I certainly won’t promise you I’ll never make a mistake — but I can promise you this: I will continue to show up, to listen carefully and to lead with diligence, empathy and integrity. That’s the standard I hold myself to, and it’s the commitment I make to you.

To everyone who took the time to vote, thank you. This recognition is an encouragement to keep going, to keep serving, to keep striving and to keep earning your trust.

To the many neighbors, small business owners and community leaders honored in this year’s Lexington’s Best, congratulations! You make our town the vibrant, welcoming place we’re all proud to call home.

And to everyone in Lexington, thank you for the opportunity to serve you. I’m truly honored. And I believe, without question, that the best is yet to come.