WINNSBORO – As County Council Chairman Billy Smith has announced that he will not seek re-election to his council seat representing District 7, two candidates have announced their intentions to run for that seat.
Gilbert
Clarence Gilbert sent a letter to The Voice this week declaring his intentions to seek Smith’s seat.
A Fairfield native, Gilbert, 65, is not new to political life. Although he has not run for public office, he is currently the vice-chairman of the Fairfield Memorial Hospital Board. He has also served on the Behavioral Health Substance Abuse Board for six years and serves on the Deacon Board at St. Mark Baptist Church in Simpson where he also serves as chairman of the stewardship ministry and is a founding father of the Brotherhood Ministry. He also sings in the Brotherhood Choir.
Gilbert has owned his own business, Gilbert’s Landscaping and Lawn Services, for 18 years. He is married to Deloris Gilbert and they have two adult sons and four grandchildren.
Brandenburg
Lisa Brandenburg has also filed to run for Smith’s seat. Brandenburg, who is employed as Coordinator of Intervention in special services for the Fairfield County School District, has been employed by the District for more than 30 years, serving as a teacher, assistant principal and principal. While Brandenburg has not held public office, she was recently a candidate for the Fairfield County School Board.
Brandenburg is married to David Brandenburg and they have two adult children. David Brandenburg ran against Smith for the District 7 county council seat in 2014.
Related: Smith: ‘I won’t seek reelection’, Letter: I am Running for District 7