In anticipation of Tuesday’s midterm elections, we have all received an extra dose of politics over the past few weeks. Having graduated with a degree in political science, I am both fascinated and appalled by today’s political landscape. But focusing on a local election in Fairfield County over the past month or so reignited my civic pride and enthusiasm for democracy. For the past decade, Mike Kelly Law Group has maintained an office in Winnsboro, and we do not believe in generating profits in Fairfield without being part of the fabric of the community. One of the ways I stay involved is by following local politics and supporting candidates who are established community leaders and genuinely dedicated to public service. So naturally, when my great friend Clarence Gilbert announced that he was running for Fairfield County Council, I was thrilled!

Clarence Gilbert is a lifelong Fairfield County resident and a family man if ever there was one. He made his living in the corporate world before launching his own small business about 15 years ago. Among his other numerous contributions to his community, Clarence is a deacon at his church, St. Mark Baptist, and Vice Chair of the Fairfield Memorial Board of Trustees, and he served on the Fairfield Behavioral Health Service Board for six years. And now, commencing January 1, 2019, he will be the newly elected Fairfield County Council representative from District 7! I had the privilege of moderating a candidate forum in Winnsboro several weeks ago, and I’m excited to see Clarence’s common-sense approach implemented as he works to address the pressing issues in his county. Working with Clarence on his campaign—and celebrating his victory on election night at Mike Kelly Law Group’s East Washington Street office in Winnsboro—has reinvigorated my confidence in the power of public service and our political process. Congratulations, Clarence!