Darius Pickett for Marion County Council District 5
Countdown to Election Day!!Tuesday, June 9th
Who is Darius Pickett?
Darius L. Pickett is a nonprofit executive, strategist, and community leader committed to strengthening the connection between local government and the people it serves. With a professional background that spans both the nonprofit and corporate worlds, he brings a practical, results-focused perspective to public leadership.As a nonprofit executive, Darius has developed and supported initiatives focused on community health, local food access, and regional collaboration across the Pee Dee. He further sharpened his leadership skills through the Fred R. Sheheen Nonprofit Leadership Institute at Francis Marion University, where he studied nonprofit management, governance, and organizational strategy.Before entering the nonprofit sector, Darius spent approximately five years at Lowe’s, where he worked in sales and specialist roles and developed a strong foundation in business operations, customer service, and deal-making. That experience gave him a corporate-level understanding of how organizations make decisions, allocate resources, and execute under pressure.Darius is known for being highly tech-savvy, detail-oriented, and he currently serves in leadership within his local county Democratic Party, representing Marion County’s Young Democrats aged 35 and under. There, he focuses on engagement, organization, and long-term strategy. He believes government should operate the way it is written: transparently, consistently, and without double standards. In his view, fairness cannot be selective… the rules should apply the same way to everyone, whether they are powerful or not. That principle continues to guide his approach to leadership and public trust
My Day One Action Plan
• Require earlier public notice and clearer communication before major county votes• Modernize the county website and improve county council meeting audio and video accessibility• Publish all county ordinances online and keep them updated for public access• Require regularly updated online contact information for all county council members• Hold regular town halls so District 5 residents have direct access to their county government
Detailed Platform
Transparency & Honest Government
Residents deserve to know what their government is doing with their tax dollars. Darius will push for timely public access to ordinances, clear communication before major votes, and consistent opportunities for community input — not decisions made behind closed doors.
Equal Treatment Under the Law
Fairness isn’t selective. Darius believes the rules should apply the same way to everyone… from everyday residents to the most powerful interests. He supports consistent enforcement, ethical governance, and decision-making that reflects both the law and the public trust.
Smart Economic Growth
Marion County deserve growth that actually benefits local families. Darius supports responsible economic development that creates real jobs paying living wages, protects county resources, and ensures the public understands the tradeoffs before deals are finalized.
Opportunity for Working Families & Youth
Keeping Marion County strong means investing in the next generation. Darius supports workforce pathways, partnerships with local schools and employers, and community investments that make young people want to stay, work, and build their future HERE.
Public Safety with Accountability
Safe communities and public trust go hand in hand. Darius supports strong law enforcement, community policing efforts, and clear accountability standards that keep both residents and officers protected.
Housing & Economic Growth
Marion County’s economic future depends on growing from within while responsibly welcoming new investment. I support a people-first approach to economic development that strengthens workforce readiness, supports small business growth, and makes our county more competitive for realistic, living-wage opportunities. Government cannot simply wait for outside rescue — we must actively prepare our own residents to participate in and benefit from economic growth.Smart housing growth is a critical part of that strategy. By expanding workforce and starter housing in a responsible way, we can attract and retain working families who shop locally, support small businesses, and strengthen our tax base. As your county councilman, I will support coordinated planning that links housing and economic development so growth benefits the families who already call Marion County home — not just outside interests.
Homegrown economic development
Economic growth in Marion County will not come from waiting on outside rescue. It will come from preparing and investing in the people who already live and work here. Darius supports a practical, workforce-first approach that strengthens skills, improves coordination between educators and employers, and makes Marion County more competitive for manufacturing and other realistic opportunities that can provide stable, living-wage jobs.At the same time, he believes the county must do more to grow its own business base. Darius supports regular economic summits, targeted workshops, and small business trainings that help local residents step into entrepreneurship and leadership roles. Marion County should absolutely welcome responsible outside investment, but long-term stability comes from uplifting our own people and building an economy that is rooted here at home.
Community Voice First
At the end of the day, government exists to serve the people. Darius will prioritize listening sessions, open forums, and direct engagement so residents of District 5 always have a seat at the table when major decisions are being made