Larry Sypolt Withdraws from Mayoral Race

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — “Entering this race, it was never about the title for me, never about power,” says Larry Sypolt, Former Mayoral Candidate.

Monday afternoon, with Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin by his side, Larry Sypolt withdrew his name from the Mayoral race.

“I think it is a disservice to the community for Steve and I, if we’ve got the same vision, to run against each other,” says Sypolt.

Sypolt made the announcement at the Columbia Police Department, a move Mayoral candidate Moe Baddourah spoke out against.

Baddourah released a statement Monday saying,” It sends the wrong message about our priorities to hold a campaign press conference at the police department while failing to address our very basic public safety challenges,” says Baddourah.

But, two people who do agree are Larry Sypolt and Mayor Benjamin.

In recent weeks, Sypolt says the two have agreed on almost all topics, including his thirteen point plan to fight crime.

“At the end of the day, I just don’t see a point in diving the community anymore,” says Sypolt.

But, this isn’t the last we will hear from Sypolt.

As of Monday, he will chair the “Blue Ribbon Citizen’s Task Force for Crime Reform,” a committee that will bring together community-wide input on fighting crime.

“Use them as part of our action plan for moving Columbia forward, for a safer community is what we plan to do,” says Mayor Benjamin.

As for Sypolt’s law enforcement background, he said Monday that he doesn’t plan to continue a career in that field. Benjamin, though, said he hopes he will.

Sypolt says he does plan to bring his crime fighting plan to the table while chairing the task force.

“Absoutely, all of them and we’ll add some,” says Sypolt.

Crandall Sims reporting, “While this is a new position, Mayor Benjamin tells says it is not a paid one. Both he and Sypolt say they plan to announce other appointments to the committee this week.