A familiar name in Columbia who has helped to raise money over the years for the American Heart Association, Stephens College and the Salvation Army plans to run for Columbia’s fourth ward council seat.
Ron Graves is Truman VA Hospital’s chief of the Center for Development and Civic Engagement. His priorities include public safety and funding critical infrastructure. Mr. Graves graduated from Columbia Hickman in 1983 and earned a bachelor’s degree in residential design and construction from Mizzou in 1988. He attended Russell Boulevard elementary school and West Junior while growing up.
Fourth Ward councilman Nick Foster is up for re-election in April. Councilman Foster was first elected in 2022.
“Sadly, some of the best qualities of the Columbia that I grew up with and raised my family in are becoming a part of the past. I want to help bring Columbia back to being a better and safer place to live,” Mr. Graves says, in a news release.
Mr. Graves plans to outline more policy initiatives and discuss his campaign in January, once all other candidates have had a chance to file for the seat.
