Tanya Heath, a Columbia native and adjunct instructor at MU, announced Monday her intention to run for mayor in the 2022 municipal election.
A graduate of MU and Hickman High School, Heath's background includes a 30-year career in advertising and wellness, according to a news release announcing her run.
Heath is currently an adjunct professor at the Missouri School of Journalism teaching strategic communication and has worked as director of advertising for Mizzou Magazine and as a freelance writer. She is also a wellness practitioner and a distributor of health products in direct sales, according to the news release.
Heath said her experience in advertising and teaching has taught her effective communication skills and “understanding people's true needs, and finding solutions that can positively impact their life.”
She also has experience volunteering with 4-H and West Broadway Swim Club, as well as serving as president of the American Advertising Federation of Mid-Missouri. Heath said that her volunteer experience puts her in touch with many people in the Columbia community she can talk to about their ideas for the city.
Heath said she's running on a platform of "common sense and collaborative solutions" for strengthening Columbia's businesses and communities. She also said she wants to improve "our physical, mental and emotional health."
“The reason I’m running for mayor of Columbia is that we are at a pivotal point in our history,” Heath said in the news release. “In my career, my specialty is listening and brainstorming with folks to find positive solutions that help everyone move forward.”
She plans to create collaborative solutions by talking to Columbia citizens and hearing their input and ideas to benefit the city.
“I've already talked to over 200 people about ideas, and I plan to talk to as many people as I can in the next six months because everybody's voice is important,” Heath said.
Heath has collected the 100 signatures needed to formally enter the race when filings for candidacy open Tuesday.
Both Barbara Buffaloe and David Seamon have also announced their intentions to run for mayor.
The candidates' announcements follow current Columbia Mayor Brian Treece's announcement last month that he will not seek reelection next year.
