If I Knew You Were Going to Vote Against the Interest of My District, I Would Have Asked the Lord for More Time

For nearly 30 years, Evelyn Turner Pugh’s leadership brought growth, stability, and opportunity to District 4. Today, as political winds shift, her words serve as a reminder: every vote counts — and so does every voter. District 4 must decide whether it wants leadership that protects the legacy built, or leadership that lets it slip away.

The following is a conversation we believe the late District 4 Councilor would have with her successor.

Evelyn Turner Pugh: [Leaning forward, her voice steady but heavy with disappointment]
"Toyia, I need to understand something. I didn’t just serve this district for nearly three decades because I liked the sound of my own voice in council chambers. I fought for District 4 like it was my own child. I fought for jobs, for transportation, for recreation, for the dignity of our people. I made sure we had a seat at the table when deals were being made — because if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.

When I retired, I believed I was leaving District 4 in good hands. I thought you understood the weight of the seat you were taking. But then… I watched your votes."

Toyia Tucker: [Trying to speak]
"Evelyn, with all due respect—"

Pugh: [Holding up her hand]
"Respect is more than a word, Toyia. Respect is shown in how you vote when it matters. And your votes… they were deciding votes. You cast the final ballot that pushed Police Chief Freddie Blackmon out of his role — a man who stood for fairness, who faced challenges head-on in a city that doesn’t always give our own a fair shake.

And then, you cast the final vote to remove City Manager Isaiah Hugley — a man who, love him or not, was instrumental in the very economic growth I’m so proud of in District 4.

You didn’t just vote against them. You voted against what they represented — progress, stability, and Black leadership at the highest levels of our city government."

Tucker: "I had to make decisions I felt were best for the whole city, not just—"

Pugh: "And there’s your problem. You can’t serve the whole city if you ignore the heartbeat of the people who put you there. District 4’s interests are Columbus’s interests. We fought for economic development — and we got it. We fought for industry — and we got it. We fought for our seat in decision-making rooms — and we got it.

Companies like Aflac, Panasonic, TSYS, Heatcraft, International Paper… all here. Over 10,000 jobs tied to this district. And every one of those companies, every one of those workers, every family — they were watching those votes. And Toyia… they noticed.

And let me tell you something else — in all my years serving on City Council, I was never disrespectful to our city manager or any of his staff as you have continually demonstrated. If I had a disagreement, I voiced it behind closed doors, where it could be resolved without tearing down relationships or undermining the office.

I heard you say your goal was to continue my legacy… but Toyia, you have done everything but."

Tucker: [Softly] "Evelyn, I—"

Pugh: "If I had known you were going to vote against the interest of my district… I would’ve turned my face to the wall like Hezekiah in Isaiah 38: 2- 5 and asked the Lord for more time. More time to keep fighting. More time to make sure our progress wasn’t reversed by politics dressed up as policy

"I didn’t pour my life into this seat so that our voices could be silenced when it mattered most. You carry our district’s legacy, Toyia — but lately, it feels like you’ve been carrying someone else’s agenda."

"It goes without saying I am disappointed in you and the voters should be too. My only hope is that there is someone in District 4 preparing themselves to step up for their community in 2028.