How new Columbus councilor was first Black candidate in 30 years to win citywide seat

Travis Chambers is the first Black candidate to win a citywide seat on Columbus Council since A.J. McClung was elected to the last of his seven terms 30 years ago.

But, as witnessed by a diverse crowd that packed Judge Art Smith ’s courtroom for the swearing-in ceremony last month, Chambers insists his victory in the June 18 runoff election against John Anker is evidence of something bigger than his political career.

“It shows that our city has embraced diversity,” Chambers told the Ledger-Enquirer during an interview in his office at Prestige Property Brokers , the real estate company he owns with his wife, Kia, who is the citywide representative on the Muscogee County School District Board. “For me, I was just proud to win this seat as an African-American male.

“Yes, I guess it is history. But I work with a diverse group of people. Being in HR (previously as vice president for human resources at Synovus and now vice president for people services at Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers), that’s what you do, . . . and everybody’s important. So I didn’t look at it from that perspective. I just looked at it as an opportunity to represent my community.”

Chambers, 51, is a lifelong Columbus resident. He graduated from Kendrick High School and Albany State University. His father, Tommie, was a manager at the Georgia Department of Labor. His mother, Brenda, owned Joy’s Florist after working in the office of Dr. Delmar Edwards , the first Black surgeon to practice in Columbus.

In a wide-ranging Q&A, Chambers talked about how he won this election after two unsuccessful attempts, the impact his childhood had on his desire to be a servant leader, and the community problems and possible solutions he wants to prioritize on the city council. Here are highlights from that conversation, edited for brevity and clarity:

Why did you run for a citywide seat on the Columbus Council?

“I’ve always been a public servant in our city (on boards for organizations such as Columbus Technical College, Columbus Planning Advisory Commission, Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce and Columbus Development Authority). … After prayer and consultation with my wife, I just felt it was the right time to do it. As you know, this is not my first rodeo. But again, I love Columbus, and I just want to make a difference. … So I’m excited about working for my constituents. I’m also excited to work with my colleagues so we can collaborate and continue to move our city forward. Because Columbus is a great place to live, work and raise a family.”

After two unsuccessful attempts to be elected to the city council, what was the winning difference for your campaign this time?

“We were very engaged. We spent a lot of time knocking on doors, talking to people, hearing their needs, concerns. … Every campaign, we’ve worked hard, but I think everything is in God’s timing. … My volunteers were phenomenal. … That’s very invaluable, to have good people on your team. … We did raise more money. The first time I ran citywide, I think we probably raised around $70,000, but we were over $100,000 this go-around.”

How did you generate such a diverse foundation of support among Columbus residents?

“I have friends from all walks of life. I’m always trying to treat everyone right, always trying to cultivate relationships, get to know different people, hear their different perspectives and develop trust and a lot of great friendships. … In order to serve in a citywide race, you’ve got to be able to represent everyone, not just a section of people, and I think my diverse background makes me capable of doing that.”

At your swearing-in ceremony, you thanked mentors, including U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop and former state Rep. Calvin Smyre, for teaching you about politics. What role has Kia played in shaping your public service?

“We’ve been married for 33 years, and she has been my rock as well. … She has been there for me, and we’ve been there for each other.”

What advice has she given you about local politics and serving in a citywide seat?

“She will always do her due diligence and look at facts. She’ll make her decision based on facts, and sometimes that may be popular to some and unpopular to others. But, at the end of the day, it’s about being able to lay your head down at night, knowing that you made a decision based on the facts in front of you. … You have to do your homework, you have to study, and you have to ask a lot of questions. And you have to hold people accountable as well.”

What’s the top issue or problem that you want to be an advocate for on the city council, and how would you suggest improving or solving it?

“I’m a champion for public safety. My son is in public safety (as a firefighter in Atlanta), and I will continue to advocate making sure that they have the resources that they need to be able to keep our city safe, whether that’s through technology, whether that’s through competitive wages. I think that is very critical because, historically, we would train up officers and they would go 75 miles up the road and make more money. So it was a revolving door. I think it’s very critical that we stop that bleeding, and I think we’re headed in the right direction.

“… Good, competitive wages, good-paying jobs, I think is very critical. And I’ll be a champion to make sure that we continue to bring more economic development in our city, also supporting our small businesses because, at the end of the day, small businesses are the engine in any economy.”

How should we create those jobs?

“I served on the (Columbus) Development Authority, and when you attract businesses looking to relocate to your area, No. 1, they want to make sure that we have a safe community. … They want to make sure that we have the skill set. Currently, I serve as the past chair of Columbus Technical College, and I believe that a partnership with our tech schools and Columbus State University, Troy State University, that’s very critical to make sure that we are providing the right skill sets to attract people to our community, not just the people but to attract businesses. So I think that public-private partnership is very critical.”

The city government and school district in Columbus have kept property taxes at a steady level while relying on sales taxes to fund projects for public infrastructure. But sales taxes can’t be used to maintain that infrastructure. How do we find that right balance?

“The infrastructure that we do have in place, I do believe that we need to make sure that we take care of it. If you don’t take care of it over time, it’s just like a whole lot of things start breaking. …. We can’t continue to always rely on sales taxes. But if we continue to look at opportunities to bring more economic development to the area, that impacts our tax digest and brings in more property taxes. … If we attract more people, tourism, people will spend more money. So we have to continue to do those two things in order for us to be able to run the city.”

How should we attract more businesses and more people?

“I think tax incentives are very critical, and I think there’s an opportunity for south Columbus enterprise zones and areas of that nature, where we can create more economic development and tax incentives. … We have to think out of the box.”

How would you describe your childhood, and how has it informed the way you want to be a servant leader?

“I came from a good household, right off of Buena Vista Road in Belvedere Park. … When I got out of school, my parents were at work, so my second home was the Belvedere Park Recreation Center, under the director of Miss Lightfoot, bless her soul. Miss Lightfoot would make sure we did our homework and stayed out of trouble. I mean, she was like our third parent. So that’s why I advocate for Parks and Rec because we have to go back and build that foundation and reach back and get our youth. I think that would help minimize a lot of this crime if we focus more on park services and bring back our youth, put our arms around them and show them that there is another way instead of pulling out a gun and taking someone’s life.”

What else do you want the Ledger-Enquirer’s readers to know about you and what you want to accomplish on the city council?

“I’m delighted to be able to serve in this capacity. My purpose is to continue to be a servant leader. I just want to hear the constituents’ needs. … In order for us to move the city forward, we have to have collaboration with my colleagues, and I’m just looking forward to working with them to figure out how we can take Columbus from good to great.”