Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Candidate focuses on transparency, unity, growth

By Amy Lewis 

 

Craig Waller has officially entered the race for mayor of Greenville, launching a campaign rooted in transparency, responsible growth and increased public involvement in local government.

“I’ve spent years listening to residents and seeing firsthand the potential our city has,” Waller said. “I believe it’s time for leadership that prioritizes transparency and collaboration to help us move forward together.”

Waller, a local businessman with deep family roots in the community dating back to the 1850s, said his decision to run was driven by what he sees as a growing disconnect between citizens and city leadership.

“People want to be part of the process. They want to understand how decisions are made and feel confident that their voices matter,” Waller said. “That starts with making city government more accessible and accountable.”

Waller emphasized his commitment to uniting the community and addressing the frustration many residents feel.

“My game plan is to unify the people,” he said. “I actually empathize with everyone that’s felt left out—me included—but when I’m elected, everyone will be heard. Everyone will have a voice. That’s the whole reason you see so much anger and hostility. It’s because the people of Greenville have not been heard.”

Supporters say Waller’s strength lies in his ability to connect with residents from all walks of life and his openness to new ideas.

“The biggest reason I support Craig is his stance on transparency in government,” said resident James Little. “No one really knows what’s going on in our city government and that needs to change.”

Jeremy Robinson, another supporter, recalled his first meeting with Waller a few years ago and praised his thoughtful approach to problem-solving.

“I’ve spent months encouraging Craig to run,” Robinson said. “When we talked about the city and the ideas he had, I recognized they were solutions I’ve seen succeed in other places.”

Robinson added that Waller’s ability to engage with everyday citizens sets him apart.

“He listens to everyone — the retiree, the business owner, the first responder,” Robinson said. “He treats everyone with the same respect and that’s rare. A lot of politicians aren’t willing to listen to regular people.”

Waller also pointed to the city’s unrealized economic potential and population decline as pressing concerns.

“Everyone sees our potential,” Waller said. “We’re sitting right on I-65. We should be blowing up. We should be double the size we are now. Yet our population is declining and our economy is depleted. We’ve got some hard work ahead of us, but I’ve never been a stranger to rolling up my sleeves.”

He said the decision to run came after repeated efforts to work with current city leaders left him feeling blocked and unheard.

“After looking at my family’s legacy and the direction Greenville is heading — our population steadily declining, our debt steadily increasing, and just really bad management of our hard-earned tax dollars — I knew it was time for a change,” Waller said.

For more information about Waller’s campaign, visit www.wallerformayor.com.