About The Candidate

I'm Lisa Smith and I'm running for the Aiken City Council in District 6. 

I've been an Aikenite most of my adult life and I love this city.  Having coffee at New Moon, seeing friends I've known for years at Kroger, walking in the Woods, going to a concert at Hopelands and having pizza in the Alley are all favorite parts of living in this unique small town.  I enjoy seeing Citizens Park and Odell Weeks full of young families playing ball, and I love browsing at our unique small businesses.

In 1991, when my husband had the chance to begin his career as an engineer at SRS, we were thrilled to move our young family to Aiken.  Our children grew up here with all of the regular activities, and some ponies too.  

My degree is in Business with a minor in Equine Science.  Working in mortgage banking gave me a good understanding of finance and business, and I've made some smart (sweat equity based) real estate deals along the way.   

But my passion for horses won out and I rode, trained, judged and taught professionally for decades. My riding program for the City of Aiken was based at Rye Patch and was very popular.  Pony camps had ducks in the cistern, kids in the hay loft and ponies all over the town.  I was the DC of the Aiken County Pony Club which enjoyed growth and success.  Many of our USPC members are now Aiken's professional  horseman.   

My husband's career has moved us around.  He was transferred to Sellafield in the UK from 2006 to 2016, and I earned frequent flyer miles keeping our family farm going in Aiken and family life going in the UK.  The culture is different and we learned a new way of thinking centered on family, village pride and strictly regulated historic preservation.  

My interest in local politics began in the Fall of 2021 when rumors of the Pascalis Project started circulating.  In the Spring of 2022, I met with Tim O'Brian who explained the project fully.  

By May, 2022, the Do it Right Alliance was formed, and Aiken became a town divided.  An unhealthy culture of government vs. citizens became evident.

I have been on the front line working and advocating for Aiken's concerned citizens since then.  I've regularly attended community and government meetings taking an active role by educating myself and speaking out on issues that have concerned us all.  

I've appeared on TV interviews pertaining to community issues, circulated petitions, sold hundreds of yard signs, researched and written volumes of fact filled articles (see some of them on this website), given presentations to the public, city officials and Public Safety Department.  I've worked for voter education and turnout, candidate recruitment and on local political campaigns.  

I've advocated for small businesses and built relationships of trust with business owners who have continued to ask for my support.  I've advocated for the preservation of our trees and historic buildings believing that in Aiken progress and preservation go hand in hand.

I have actively advocated for the safety of horses and humans in the Horse District.  Protecting the Horse District matters so it can continue to contribute to Aiken's culture and economy.   

I founded the Aiken Equestrian Alliance to give Aiken's diverse horsemen a unified voice.  The platform, with 2,800 followers, has enabled me to regularly communicate with horsemen in Aiken, nationally and internationally on common issues facing all of us.

Everything changes and Aiken is no exception.  For decades Aiken has grown and slowed in step with SRS's missions.  Now we have Bridgestone, Kimberly-Clark, AGY, Fenix, Shaw, Zeus as well as USCA and the hospital as major employers, and more, and the growth is explosive.   Surprisingly, Aiken's horse industry has never been accurately quantified, even though it is a major contributor to Aiken's economy.  

As an advocate I've have learned valuable lessons about the relationships between all levels of city government, staff and citizens.  The first time I set up the Do it Right petition table I was met and questioned by the police, and business owners and citizens were wary.  That suspicion turned into a good working relationship with public safety officers, and the community.  

As District 6's councilwoman I will immediately improve communication between the city and constituents by having monthly meetings in D6, an email newsletter and a social media page for D6 residents.  I will represent you.  I will vote for your interests because I will be in touch with you.  

When was the last time someone listened to what you want?  

It's time for something new in Aiken.    I am your candidate for now and for the future.  It's time for Aiken to put existing residents first instead of spending our tax money on expansion and tourism (annual budget $1.13M).  Please vote for me on November 4th.  

I am ready to serve you,

Lisa

Email:  lisasmithforaiken@gmail.com

Phone: (839)273-8971

Facebook:  Lisa Smith for Aiken City Council D6