Allison Terracio, who represents Richland County District 5, has announced she will be seeking re-election. Terracio was first elected to serve in 2019.
As a county councilwoman, Terracio has been a passionate and effective leader for District 5. Elected and sworn in before the COVID-19 pandemic, she guided Richland County through the crisis by implementing public health measures and distributing federal funds to key community partners. Since then, she has also promoted affordable housing initiatives through economic development projects. Additionally, she has prioritized bike and pedestrian safety and access.
A champion of the second Penny Referendum, Terracio fought to ensure that transportation projects continue and bus services are available throughout the county. She also advocated for Bailey Bill recipients, making sure they could repair older homes without facing huge tax hikes.
An active supporter of arts and culture, she is committed to ensuring that our institutions can continue and thrive.
“I am proud of the work I have done on Richland County Council, including taking leadership roles in the Affordable Housing Ad Hoc Committee, sponsoring policies to protect historic neighborhoods, and serving as Chair of the COMET Board of Directors. But most of all, I love connecting with constituents to hear what they need from their local government and delivering the services that good government promises,” Terracio said.
Terracio is originally from Kentucky, where she attended Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, majoring in Biochemistry and minoring in Spanish. After college, she moved to Brooklyn, where she worked for The Bank of New York (now BNY). After experiencing 9/11 in NYC, she began studying and practicing yoga and moved back to Kentucky in 2005 to buy an existing yoga studio and invest in the community there as a small business owner.
In the fall of 2016, after deciding to move to her husband Nate’s hometown of Columbia, she experienced firsthand the challenges facing South Carolinians. She felt compelled to build community by connecting with neighbors and organizing for progressive causes. She was motivated to run for county council after seeing local governments take steps to protect the environment, develop policies to ensure law enforcement acts in the public’s best interest, and create opportunities for students to learn and communities to flourish.
