The Florence mayor’s race has a new candidate who could appeal to a younger portion of the town’s electorate.
Christian “CJ” McCoy, 23, has mounted a campaign website and plans to launch his candidacy on Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at Pickett Place in downtown Florence. As if making a finer point, McCoy’s special guest will be Mayor Jaylen Smith of Earle, Ark. Elected at the age of 18, Smith became the youngest mayor in the country.
“Leading with Vision. Serving with Purpose” is McCoy’s campaign slogan, and his platform is called “Plan 256” and includes an ambitious agenda of reforms for economic development, infrastructure, education and public safety.
McCoy’s website bio states, “At just 23 YEARS old, he has lived a life defined by resilience, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to lifting others up. His journey from battling cancer and enduring homelessness, to losing his father to gun violence and overcoming a career-ending sports injury, has all shaped his vision for a Florence where no one is left behind.”
McCoy joins an already crowded field of candidates which includes former Florence Police chief Ron Tyler, businessman Bill Griffin, District 6 City Councilman Jimmy Oliver, retired NASA engineer Jimmy Pickett, pastor Billy Ray Simpso and District 1 City Council president Kaytrina P. Simmons. Incumbent Mayor Andy Betterton also plans to defend the seat.
Municipal elections are on Tuesday, August 26. Qualifying will start on Tuesday, June 10.
Jennifer Oliver O'Connell, As the Girl Turns, is an investigative journalist, author, opinion analyst, and contributor to 1819 News, Redstate, and other publications. Jennifer writes on Politics and Pop Culture, with occasional detours into Reinvention, Yoga, and Food. You can read more about Jennifer's world at her As the Girl Turns website. You can also follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Telegram.
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