Newcomer Keith McCants announced his candidacy for one of two seats on the Richmond Hill city council up for election in November.
In an emailed statement, McCants, who moved to the city in 2021, said he wants to see a “working man,” on council.
“I don’t feel like blue collar families are being represented,” he said. ‘I just want some representation for those who don’t have a lot of money. I’m coming from a blue-collar perspective because I understand people’s struggles. I want to see only the best for Richmond Hill and its citizens. I want to maintain its uniqueness, it’s small town charm, while coping with the growth that’s coming with the construction of the Hyundai Metaplant America in North Bryan County and the military families from nearby Fort Stewart.”
McCants said the city’s small businesses need protection and “our taxes kept low, our firefighters, police officers deserve an increase in pay and we need more involvement from our youth as well.
“I believe our city government has an obligation to provide our community with the basic needs of all people, free from prejudice, discrimination, religious preferences, and party affiliation,” McCants said. “We are our brother’s keepers and looking out for one another is our city governments responsibility.”
McCants is listed on his LinkedIn page as the founder of LowCountry Strategies, where he serves as a rural political consultant, and as founder and editor of Peanut Politics, a blog “provides views & insights of a Conservative Georgia Democrat.”
McCants, a welder by trade, also served from 2012 to 2016 as a city councilman in Oglethorpe, a small town in Macon County, and lists work experience for International Paper and Bluebird Body Company in Fort Valley, according to his biography.
He’s served as a campaign manager for both a Republican and a Democratic candidate for the state legislature, according to LinkedIn.
McCants said he’s running to give voters another option.
“Voters here deserve options, they deserve an alternative in what they are seeking in their elected officials when they go to the polls,” I moved here in 2021. I am a outsider, I’m not that well connected here, which could be a bonus in my favor. Although there are two incumbents in the race, I’m not running against either of them, I’m running to present Richmond Hill voters an alternative, someone who can offer new ideas, a new perspective on some issues plaguing this city.”
Up for re-election are Steve Scholar and Les Fussell. Fussell, who represents Post 1, has not announced whether he will seek another term. Scholar, who represents Post 4, announced to the News on Monday he is running again.
In Richmond Hill, candidates run at large for open seats.
Qualifying for the Nov. 7 municipal elections is from Aug. 21-25.
Editor’s note: Individuals who want to announce their candidacies to the Bryan County News are welcome to contact editor Jeff Whitten at jwhitten@bryancountynews.com.