Mayor Leo Lutz: A Legacy of Stability and Community Investment

Mayor Leo Lutz: A Legacy of Stability and Community Investment

Mayor Lutz has served Columbia for over two decades, making him one of the longest-tenured mayors in the region. During his tenure, he has overseen:

• Infrastructure improvements, including street repairs and utility upgrades
• Downtown revitalization efforts, supporting local businesses and historic preservation
• Public safety enhancements, working closely with police and fire departments
• Community engagement, maintaining a visible presence at borough events and council meetings

In a pre-election interview, Lutz emphasized his commitment to representing the people of Columbia: “If I think something needs to be done, I’m going to speak up. I’m not going to sit back and have it not happen. That’s my job—to represent the people to council”.

Jasmine Preston: A Vision for Inclusive and Transparent Leadership

Jasmine Preston, a Democrat and Columbia native, mounted a strong campaign focused on change and inclusivity. With a background in safety management and human resources, Preston brought a “people-first” approach to her platform. Her key commitments included:

• Improving communication and transparency between borough leadership and residents
• Supporting small businesses and the arts, with a focus on economic revitalization
• Modernizing borough operations and increasing accessibility to local government
• Championing diversity and equity, aiming to make Columbia a more inclusive community

Preston also made history as one of the first openly transgender mayoral candidates in Pennsylvania, earning support from organizations like the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund.

Borough Council and School Board Results

In addition to the mayoral race, Columbia voters elected the following to four-year terms on the Borough Council.

For the Columbia Borough School District, the following candidates were elected:

Region I – Vote for 2:

• Michael J. Leone (Republican) – 1,142 votes
• Jennifer L. Rhoads (Democrat) – 1,098 votes

Region II – Vote for 2:

• Robert L. Rhoads (Democrat) – 1,121 votes
• Lisa A. Rivera (Republican) – 1,089 votes

Looking Ahead

With a close mayoral race and a mixed-party council, Columbia enters its next chapter with both continuity and fresh perspectives. Mayor Lutz’s re-election signals a desire for steady leadership, while Preston’s strong showing highlights a growing appetite for progressive change.