I Don’t Show Off, I Show Up
About
As your City Council District 4 representative, I want to work for good government. My goal is to hear residents’ concerns about their neighborhood or the City as a whole. I am committed to being responsive, directing your questions, getting answers, and being your voice on City Council.
WHY AM I RUNNING FOR CITY COUNCIL?
I want to show up for Columbia:
to show that I care, that I will listen, and consider a course of action.
I want to show up:
to hear residents’ perspectives, complaints, ideas.
I want to show up:
to work with Council to find a path to compromise or best case outcomes.
I’ve lived in Columbia District 4 for over 40 years. I know that many community and business leaders, artists and professionals, religious leaders and philanthropists have contributed to making Columbia the vibrant Southern Capitol it is today. Good things are happening here! Creating greenways, revitalizing downtown neighborhoods, repurposing historic buildings, renovating city parks are a few highlights of exciting changes we see.
A district representative can advocate for the neighborhoods, the local businesses, and the residents as problems are being addressed and changes occur in the city. I am running for council because my professional skills are well-suited for government public service. I worked in state government for many years, collaborating with all levels of government. Projects included pandemic preparedness, childhood immunization, and women’s health. After retiring from DHEC, I was a researcher-writer for Coastal Science & Engineering, a scientific consulting firm that restores and renourishes beaches.
In previous employment and volunteerism, I applied skills in communications, facilitation, conflict resolution, and consensus building. I plan to use these on city council to help shape decisions, for neighborhoods, businesses, or the community as a whole. I want to encourage everyone’s voices to be heard and assure residents that their concerns matter.
Julie believes that government in its best use, will provide needed services, address problems, steward tax dollars, and dream big. As your District 4 representative in Columbia, Julie promises to be reliable, energetic, and conscientious.
Bio
About Julie
Julie Lumpkin has followed public policy and government since studying English and Political Science at the University of South Carolina (BA). Later, her MSPH taught her how policy affects the delivery of health care and environmental protections. A registered voter in Richland County, she greatly values her right to vote and shows a consistent track record of voting in national, state and municipal elections.
Julie was born in Rock Hill, South Carolina, the eighth and last child of Rev. Bill and Dallas Lumpkin. She attended local public schools, played basketball, and worshipped at the Episcopal Church of Our Savior, where her Dad was rector. Her Mom parlayed her Masters in Social Work as a mother of eight children and as an active church and community volunteer. She later taught sociology at Winthrop College and Friendship College. Her Dad was a World War II veteran in the Chaplain Corps, ending his active military service in the Pacific Theatre.
Julie Lumpkin was taught well by her parents through the example of their lives. She learned from them to respect the dignity and worth of every human being.
She also believes…
- In our civic responsibility to build a safe, sound and productive society
- In the inherent capacity under our US Constitution to achieve good government in all levels of government
- That a government used thoughtfully and well should aspire to serve all the people.
Julie is married to Dr. Timothy (Tim) Kana, Principal Emeritus and Founder, Coastal Science & Engineering, Inc., Columbia, SC. She has three children and four grandchildren and is guardian of her son’s dog, Luna.
Career Path
Ms. Lumpkin served the state of South Carolina in state government:
- Communications, Publications Manager – Public Affairs, SC Wildlife and Marine Resources department – now DNR
- Writer-Producer – SC Educational Television
- Market researcher, program manager grant writer, and strategic planner – SCDHEC – now Department of Public Health and Department of Environmental Services.
After public service, she worked in the business sector:
- Science Writer, environmental/ biological assessments, Covid-19 Adviser – Coastal Science & Engineering – CSE, a private scientific consulting firm
While working full-time, she earned her M.S.P.H. at USC in Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior. Her thesis was, The Mental and Physical Health Status of Frontline Workers in Violence Against Women Agencies in South Carolina (2005). Her work was recognized as the top thesis research and poster by Delta Omega and the USC School of Medicine, respectively.
Volunteer Activity
- Member, Richland County Transportation Committee, appointed (Rep H. Bauer) May 2025
- Founder, Women in Leadership (WIL)
- Member, Board, Dallas Hirst Lumpkin Scholarship educational fund
- Volunteer, efforts to protect the right to vote and the fundamentals of democracy
- Board Secretary, Midlands Light Opera Society
- Planning Committee, Anita Hill Party
- Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Chair of Capital Fundraising Campaign, St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church
- Chair, AIDS Council, Upper Diocese of Episcopal Church of SC
- Chair/member, Women’s & Gender Studies Partnership Council (USC)
- Singer. Columbia Choral Society, Midlands Light Opera Society, St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church, Arpad Darazs Singers (former),
- Patron supporter, SC Philharmonic and long-time supporter, Columbia Classical Ballet and the dance community in Columbia
- Blood Donor American Red Cross
Issues
Bustling shopping districts, exciting cultural arts, accessible green spaces, and trendy, award-winning restaurants are just a few reasons why Columbia is beloved by many. Clearly, the city of Columbia is a city of opportunity. And, neighborhoods need attention and TLC too. Overall, I want to work for good government – a government that addresses the concerns of its citizens, while attending to issues that encourage livable communities and improve quality of life for all. Let’s make Columbia a city for everyone!
In neighborhoods residents tell me they are:
- Tired of potholes, uneven sidewalks, and speeding cars on streets
- Worried about availability of guns and random acts of violence
- Concerned about housing, including available, affordable housing; protection from short-term rentals; safety in neighborhoods; and humane solutions for the homeless
Residents also expect and desire:
- Advocacy for our public schools, libraries, and higher ed
- Support and protection of the LGBTQ+ citizens of Columbia
- Programs responsive to war veterans’ unique experiences
- Concerted efforts to fund programs addressing climate change
- Excellent water quality and flood resiliency planning
- Celebration of our diverse cultural arts community
I want to be a council representative who listens, responds to, and works with my constituents. My only “special interest” is to work with and for the 25,000+ citizens of City Council District 4.
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