Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin Seeks Second Term

Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin formally announced his re-election bid during a news conference Monday. 

Benjamin will face Columbia City Councilman Moe Baddourah and former FBI analyst Larry Sypolt — both of whom announced their candidacy earlier this year — in November.

During his announcement, Benjamin said he will focus on what the community has accomplished so far and "the positive things we can do together in the months and years ahead."

Benjamin mentioned several accomplishments that occurred during his first term including thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in capital investments, according to a WIS-TV report.   

Benjamin, who is the city's first African American mayor, was elected to serve in 2010, succeeding longtime Mayor Bob Coble.