Davis upsets Galiano for Sumter City Council Ward 5 seat

Bob Galiano, longtime incumbent of Sumter City Council Ward 5, will be passing on his seat to Colin Davis after the newcomer drew in more than 400 more votes than his seasoned opponent.

Currently the longest-serving city council member, Galiano was first elected to council in 1992.

"I'm very happy people saw fit to re-elect me so many times," Galiano said. "I've enjoyed it," he said about his 26 years on city council.

He said he is proud of all city council has accomplished while he has been a member, especially attracting and retaining commercial and industrial businesses.

"And I like the direction we're going," he said about council.

Though he represents Ward 5, Galiano said he has always seen himself as a councilman for the entire city.

"Of course I'm disappointed," he said about the Tuesday's results, "but I wish [Davis] all the luck in the world."

Galiano said he appreciates those who voted for him as well as the political process.

"I can't say enough," he said.

He ended the evening with nearly 32 percent of the vote.

Serving on a council or board is about the closest you can get to true democracy, he said, because you interact with constituents throughout the day.

Galiano said he will continue to be an effective member of Sumter's community in the future, though it will be in a different capacity.

"I'm humbled by the support and confidence from the voters tonight," said Davis, who garnered a little more than 51 percent of votes.

"I wouldn't have been able to do this without the help and support of so many people in the community," he said. "I've met so many great people."

With experience serving on the Sumter City-County Board of Zoning Appeals and Sumter County Tax Board of Appeals, Davis said he looks forward to working with the other elected officials of city council to make Sumter a great place to live, work and raise a family.

Now that he has been elected, Davis plans to focus on expanding water and sewer services, encouraging redevelopment of vacant commercial sites, expanding skilled labor and technical training opportunities and bringing a fresh perspective to council's chambers.

Chris Hilditch, a U.S. Air Force veteran currently working as property manager for Sumter County, ended the night with 15 percent of votes.