Lexington, SC – Today, Town of Lexington Mayor, Steve MacDougall, announced his endorsement of Gavin J. Smith in the Town of Lexington’s upcoming May 2nd Special Election for Lexington Town Council.

MacDougall, who was elected Mayor of the Town of Lexington in December 2013, accompanied his endorsement of Gavin’s candidacy with the following statement:

“I am proud to endorse Gavin J. Smith in the upcoming May 2nd Special Election for Lexington Town Council. Gavin’s passion for our community, paired with his experience as a communicator, small business owner, and former Presidential Appointee, uniquely qualifies and prepares him to serve our Town. As we continue our work to make the Town of Lexington an even greater place to live, work, raise a family, and learn, young voices and leaders are needed now more than ever, and I can think of no one better to fill the vacancy and join our Town Council than Gavin.  I urge all residents in the Town of Lexington to join me in supporting Gavin J. Smith in the upcoming special election for Lexington Town Council on May 2nd, 2023.”

Smith announced his intention to run for the seat on February 7, 2023 after Councilman Steve Baker shared that he had accepted a new job opportunity in the Orlando, Florida area, and would be resigning his seat on the Lexington Town Council at the end of February 2023.

A former partner in Lexington’s Navy Yard on Main project, Gavin is currently the CEO and Founder of the Gavin James Group, under which he operates Gavin James Public Affairs and The Inspyre Group. Gavin also serves as Director of Communications for cybersecurity brand, PC Matic, and he is a Forbes Communications Council Contributor.

“I am humbled by Mayor MacDougall’s endorsement of my candidacy for Lexington Town Council,” Smith said. “Under Mayor MacDougall’s leadership and because of the work of our Town Council and the Town’s Administrative Staff, it’s unquestionable that Lexington has come a long way since we were kids. I firmly believe that Lexington is the greatest place to live, own a business, raise a family, and learn – and I’m excited by the opportunity to earn the votes of every resident, give back to the community that’s given so much to me, and help lead Lexington to even greater heights.”

On announcing his candidacy for Town Council, Smith outlined several key priorities for his campaign to serve on Lexington Town Council, including solving the parking and traffic problems that plague the Town of Lexington. Smith also highlighted his unequivocal support for law enforcement, emphasized the need to cut red tape and make it easier for small businesses to open and do business in the Town of Lexington, and he promised to prioritize preserving historic Lexington landmarks.

Prior to his launch of the Gavin James Group, Gavin received a Presidential Appointment and served as Press Secretary for the U.S. Department of Labor and as Deputy Communications Director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Gavin served on the Presidential Campaign and 58th Presidential Inaugural Committee for former President Donald J. Trump, and formerly worked in the Executive Office of Governor Nikki R. Haley and for Speaker Newt Gingrich’s 2012 Presidential campaign.

Gavin is a 2010 graduate of White Knoll High School, and a 2016 graduate from the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business where he received his Bachelors of Science in Marketing and Management. In 2021, Gavin also earned his Master’s of Public Relations and Corporate Communications from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.. Gavin currently resides in the Town of Lexington with his husband, Matthew A. Smith, and their two dogs, Bentley and Braxton.

To learn more about Gavin and his candidacy for Town of Lexington Town Council, click here.

To learn more about Mayor Steve MacDougall, click here.

To learn more about the Town of Lexington, click here.

-TK-