OPINION: Why I’m supporting Beth Carrigg for re-election and why you should, too

In today’s political climate, there’s no shortage of candidates willing to say the right things. You’ve heard it before—promises about “responsible growth,” “fixing traffic,” and “protecting our community.” It all sounds good. It polls well.

And frankly, it’s easy to say.

Actually doing it? That’s a different story.

That’s why I’m supporting Beth Carrigg for re-election to Lexington County Council—because she’s not one of those all-talk, no-action politicians. And believe me, we’ve got plenty of those.

Beth has been leading on responsible development long before it became a campaign slogan. While others are just now discovering the phrase, she’s been in the room making the tough decisions that come with it—balancing growth with infrastructure, protecting neighborhoods and pushing back when projects don’t make sense for our community.

And she doesn’t just talk about it—she acts.

One of the clearest examples of that is her leadership on bringing concurrency to Lexington County—something people had talked about for years but never got across the finish line until Beth stepped up.

Here’s what concurrency means in simple terms: if you’re going to build something new—whether it’s homes, shops or anything else—the roads, schools and services have to be ready to handle it at the same time. Not five years later. Not “we’ll figure it out down the road.” At the same time.
It’s common sense. But it takes real leadership to actually make it happen.

Beth didn’t just support that idea—she spearheaded it. She pushed it forward, built the support and helped turn it into real policy that protects our community from being overwhelmed by growth.

That’s the difference between talking about responsible development and actually delivering it.

I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside Beth during my time on Lexington Town Council, particularly on issues related to traffic and infrastructure planning. Anyone who lives here knows that growth without a plan leads to congestion, frustration and a declining quality of life. Beth understands that—and more importantly, she’s done something about it.

We’ve worked hand-in-hand to advocate for more road funding, to keep traffic solutions at the forefront of conversations and to ensure that development doesn’t outpace the infrastructure needed to support it. That kind of coordination between Town and County leadership doesn’t happen by accident—it takes someone who is engaged, knowledgeable and willing to roll up their sleeves and get to work.

That’s Beth.

She’s also not afraid to stand up when it matters. I’ve seen firsthand how she handles pressure—including from national builders and outside interests who don’t always have Lexington County’s best interests at heart. Beth doesn’t fold. She doesn’t dodge tough conversations. She stands her ground and fights for what’s right for our community.

And in a time when too many politicians are worried about saying the “safe” thing, Beth says what she means and means what she says.

Now, let me be clear—Beth and I don’t agree on everything. And that’s exactly why I respect her as much as I do. We can disagree, have honest conversations and still come back to the table to find common ground. That’s what real leadership looks like. It’s not about posturing or playing politics—it’s about working together to get results for the people we serve.

That’s what our community wants. And frankly, it’s what our community deserves.

Beth also brings something else to the table that’s becoming increasingly rare in politics: consistency. She doesn’t shift her positions based on what’s politically convenient. She doesn’t compromise her values to win a headline or score points. She doesn’t bow to anyone.

She leads with integrity every single time.

Compare that to what we’re seeing from others in this race. A lot of rhetoric. A lot of late-to-the-game talking points. A lot of trying to sound like a leader without actually having a record to back it up.

I believe Lexington County deserves better than that.

We don’t need another candidate who just learned how to say “responsible development” during campaign season. We need someone who has already proven they can deliver on it—someone who understands the complexity of growth, the urgency of traffic solutions and the importance of protecting what makes our community special.

That person is Beth Carrigg.

From my seat on Town Council, I’ve seen what effective County leadership looks like—and I’ve seen what happens when it’s missing. Beth has been a reliable partner, a steady voice and a results-driven leader who understands how to move ideas forward and get things done.

That matters more than ever right now.

This election isn’t about who can say the right things. It’s about who has actually done them.

Beth has. And she will continue to.

That’s why I’m proud to support her for re-election to Lexington County Council in the June 9 Republican Primary for Lexington County Council District 7—and I hope you will, too.

Gavin J. Smith is a Town Councilmember in the Town of Lexington. He was first elected during the May 2023 Special Election, and was most recently re-elected to his first full, four-year term on Lexington Town Council during the November 2025 General Election.