Mayor Bob Is Out

Bowing to a reality that we felt was self-evident from the moment Steve Benjamin announced his candidacy, longtime Columbia S.C. mayor Bob Coble announced Monday that he will not seek a sixth term as Mayor of the Palmetto State’s Capital City.  That means that come April of 2010, Columbia will have a new mayor for the first time in twenty years.

Calling it a “family decision,” Coble’s sudden withdrawal comes just two weeks after he told FITS he was looking forward to the upcoming campaign.

After four relatively successful terms, Coble’s fifth (and now final) term has been beset by huge budget deficits and a botched “economic development” effort with the University of South Carolina.  These nagging financial issues made him vulnerable against a credible challenger, which is exactly what he got when Benjamin entered the race.

“He was about to spend a ton of money on a race he was going to lose,” one source told FITS.

Here is the statement Coble emailed to his supporters Monday:

I wanted to let you know that I have made a personal and family decision that twenty years as Mayor of Columbia is enough, and I will not run for re-election next year. I have had the honor of serving as Columbia’s Mayor and have enjoyed every minute. I count as a source of pride being called “Mayor Bob.”

Working together over the last two decades we have accomplished a great deal. Columbia and our neighborhoods have been revitalized, reversing three decades of declining population; we have started Innovista and Engenuity that are critical components of our entering the knowledge economy; Columbia’s Downtown and Riverfront have been revitalized including the Gervais Streetscaping, Publix, Main Streetscaping, EdVenture and Three Rivers Greenway; we built the Convention Center, the Hilton Hotel and the Colonial Life Center; and under the leadership of Ike McLease we successfully navigated BRAC in 2005.

While we have accomplished much there is still much to be done during the remainder of my term including funding the RTA and addressing homelessness.

I will not be seeking any other political office but will concentrate on my family and law practice. On behalf of the Coble Family we would like to thank the citizens of Columbia for allowing us to serve as Mayor.

And here’s the statement that Steve Benjamin put out in response to Coble’s announcement …

Over his two decades of service, Mayor Coble has been a leader. His good works are everywhere – not just in urban centers like Main Street, the Vista and Five Points, but in every neighborhood. There is only one ‘Mayor Bob,’ and we have been blessed to have a leader so dedicated to the city he loves.

He announced his decision not to seek re-election with a warm and generous spirit. DeAndrea and I wish Mayor Bob and his wife Beth, their children, and grandson the happiest of years to come.d

On the Republican side, city councilman Kirkman Finlay III is widely regarded as the top mayoral prospect.

Whoever wins, they’ll have their hands full turning around a city that was recently dubbe the “Face of the Recession.”