On November 4, Phyllis “Cookie” Holmes was elected to the District 5 seat on the West Columbia City Council District 5 seat. Holmes received 63 percent of the vote from Dist. 5 voters.

Holmes replaces West Columbia City Councilman Mickey Pringle, who did not run for reelection. Pringle was honored for his service to the community at the Nov. 3, West Columbia City Council meeting. (See the resolution below.)

Holmes was thrilled after winning the election. She thanked the voters. Marie Brown is a supporter of Holmes. She said: “Cookie is  a Virtuous Woman, a long time friend, a wonderful mother, grandmother, and a concerned resident of her community, I also know Cookie as a very intellectual, well-versed, and talented scholar of SC State University.  I know Cookie will represent the people of District-5 with the utmost integrity.”

West Columbia City Council Members Mike Green (Dist. 1) George Crowe (Dist. 3) and Sarah Mattern (Dist. 7) also won reelection to their seats on council. None of them had opposition.

.Pringle was first elected in 2017 and served two terms. 

As he reflected on his time with council, Pringle said one of the projects he worked on was to get a push-button crosswalk installed at Monticello Street and 12th Street.

“There are a lot of kids in the after-school program at the Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center,” Pringle said. “The crosswalk makes it safer for them.” 

Pringle also said constituents still call him and he will continue to work to make his community better. He said he would like to see a sidewalk on Wall Street and a bus stop weather shelter on Sunset Boulevard. 

Pringle said he will continue to be involved in other projects, especially in service to the elderly and infirmed population in his neighborhood. 

“We feed 150 people a day at Turner Memorial (AME Church)” Pringle said. “I am a member of Turner Memorial and I will still be working in that program.”

Pringle said he decided not to run for council because he needed to spend more time addressing family obligations.

“My mother is 93-years-old and lives in New Jersey,” Pringle said. “and I need to spend more time with her and help care for her. My wife’s mother is 89-years-old and lives here with us. I will take more to look after her.”

Council’s Statement Honoring Mickey Pringle Below:

A Sanford, Florida native and South Carolina State University student-athlete, Pringle excelled on the field and in the classroom, later earning advanced education degrees and induction into the SCSU Athletic Hall of Fame. Over 38 years in education, he served as teacher, coach, and administrator, including eight years as principal of Denmark-Olar High School, earning respect for his integrity and commitment to students. Since moving to West Columbia in 1988, Pringle has been an engaged community member, active in Turner Memorial AME Church and local youth sports. Elected to City Council in 2018 and later serving as Mayor Pro-Tem, he championed resident voices, public safety, and community quality of life. The Mayor and City Council extend their sincere appreciation and best wishes to Pringle for his dedicated service and lasting contributions to District 5 and the West Columbia community.