PHOTO GALLERY: Second Ward candidate Mike Atkinson brings experience as business owner to campaign

Mike Atkinson responds to a question from the audience at a forum held by the League of Women's Voters on Tuesday, March 13, at the Columbia Public Library. Atkinson is a candidate for the Second Ward City Council in the upcoming election on April 3.   |  Elizabeth Pierson

Mike Atkinson reacts to pianist Randy Schlib during rehearsal with the Memorial Baptist worship team on Wednesday. Atkinson has been singing with the group for the past year, filling in for his dad, though he has been attending the Memorial Baptist Church in Columbia since he was a child.   |  Elizabeth Pierson

Mike Atkinson carries Oreos from his truck into The Candy Factory, which he owns, on Monday, March 19. Atkinson purchased the Oreos to cover in chocolate on Monday, as well as salt and vinegar potato chips, graham crackers, Twinkies and Peeps.   |  Elizabeth Pierson

Mike Atkinson opens the box and reviews his freshly printed campaign signs on Monday, March 19.   |  Elizabeth Pierson

Mike Atkinson arranges Oreos on a conveyor belt to be covered by chocolate in the upstairs of The Candy Factory on Monday, March 19. Atkinson owns the local candy store which he runs with his wife and helps create new candies, such as the Chocolate Covered Oreos, after taking the company over from his parents in 2005. Atkinson's parents bought the shop in 1986.   |  Elizabeth Pierson