Today, Charleston mayoral candidate John Tecklenburg announced that his campaign has postponed its planned Victory Launch Week, a series of public events, including the Victory Launch fundraiser at Baker Motor Company, that were to have taken place from Monday, June 22 through Sunday, June 28.

"In light of the tragic events Wednesday night at Mother Emanuel," Tecklenburg said, "now is not a time for politics. Now is a time for prayer and reflection, for shared strength and common purpose, and, ultimately, for hope and for healing. That will be the work of our city for some time to come. Accordingly, I have instructed my campaign to postpone next week's Victory Launch fundraiser and other associated activities until a more appropriate time.

"For now, I would ask all who can to join me in making a donation to the Mother Emanuel Hope Fund, established yesterday by Mayor Riley and the City of Charleston. To donate, visit www.MotherEmanuelHopeFund.com, or mail checks to Mother Emanuel Hope Fund, C/O City of Charleston, P.O. Box 304 Charleston, SC 29402.

"Thanks for your prayers and support of Charleston during this time of healing. We will be a beacon to the world that love will conquer hate, even in the most difficult of times."

About John Tecklenburg

For more than 25 years, Charleston native John Tecklenburg has served our city as a businessman, a civic leader, and a city government executive with a clear record of success.

A graduate of Georgetown University, John was the founder and president of Southern Oil Company until he sold the business in 1995. Next, John served as Charleston's Director of Economic Development under Mayor Joe Riley, where he led the city's nationally acclaimed initiative to revitalize and redevelop Upper King Street. Over the years, John has also served on the boards of many local charities and nonprofits, including Crisis Ministries, the Rotary Club, the Palmetto Project, and the South Carolina Coastal Conservation League.

Today, John works with commercial clients at Clement, Crawford & Thornhill, and serves as the president of SC Strong, which in 2011 was recognized by the SC Secretary of State's office as one of South Carolina's Top Ten Nonprofits. He is the proud father of five grown children – Melissa, Suzanne, Paula, Joseph and John Henry – and lives in West Ashley with his wife, Sandy.

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