Don Cunningham
Encyclopedia
Donald "Don" Cunningham is the current Chief Executive of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania
. He is also the a former Secretary in the Pennsylvania Department of General Services
, as well as Mayor and Councilman of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
. A Democrat, Cunningham was also a rumored candidate for Governor of Pennsylvania in 2010.
and earned a Bachelor of Arts
Degree in Journalism and a minor in government (1987). He then worked his way through graduate school, finishing summa cum laude with a Master of Arts Degree in political science from Villanova University
(1991).
in Allentown and Media Relations Director at Moravian College
in Bethlehem. Prior to that, Cunningham started his career as a newspaper reporter working for the former Bethlehem Globe Times and as a suburban correspondent with the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Cunningham was inaugurated during a particularly difficult time in Bethlehem's history. At the time, Bethlehem Steel
had just closed, resulting in a 20,000 job loss and the loss of a significant portion the city's tax base. During his tenure, Cunningham guided more than $1 billion of new development and the creation of 2,500 new jobs into the city.
As Mayor, Cunningham proposed five city budgets with only one small tax increase (5½ %) and developed new and innovative programs to improve public safety and the delivery of neighborhood services. He was recognized for his innovations in the delivery of local government services by both the U.S. Conference of Mayors (1999) and former Governor Tom Ridge
(2001). The Democratic Leadership Council named Cunningham one of the top ten state and local "rising stars" in the Democratic Party in 2000.
In 2003, Cunningham resigned as Mayor of Bethlehem to become Secretary of the Department of General Services under Governor Ed Rendell
.
As Secretary, Cunningham oversaw $4 billion of the Pennsylvania budget. He ran the Governors management & productivity initiative and saved the state $500 million in operating costs. Furthermore, DGS doubled the Commonwealth’s property insurance coverage while slashing premiums nearly in half, saving more than $4 million a year.
In the area of real estate, Don led the initiatives to save Pennsylvania’s taxpayers money by competitively selling off unneeded surplus state property and putting property back on the tax rolls, creating community and economic development in communities across Pennsylvania.
Cunningham also led the effort to more aggressively help local governments and school districts to realize purchasing savings by “piggyback” buying from state contracts on everything from vehicles to personal computers. Don’s business consolidation efforts also eliminated the redundancy of state warehouse facilities in the Harrisburg area, reducing the number of warehouses and supply centers from 17 to 4 and saving $4 million a year.
While in state government as Secretary of DGS, Cunningham served on the State Public School Building Authority and Pennsylvania Higher Educational Facilities Authority, as well as the Board of PENNVEST, the Capitol Preservation Committee, the Governor’s Homeland Security Advisory Council and the Agricultural Land Preservation Interagency Committee.
In office, Cunningham has touted fiscal responsibility as one of his key strengths. Cunningham has presided over Lehigh County for three years with no property tax increase, and his administration has created a plan to prevent property tax increases for the foreseeable future, at least the next five years. Cunningham's administration also saw an increase in the bond rating for Lehigh County.
Cunningham's administration has also been witness to a variety of new programs in Lehigh County, including:
In 2007, Cunningham endorsed Hillary Clinton for President. In April 2008, Cunningham was the top vote-getter (in the 15th congressional district) to serve as a delegate Hillary Clinton to the 2008 Democratic National Convention
.
. A self-described "fiscal conservative", Cunningham had the potential to run well in the state's moderate electorate.
On June 25, Cunningham dropped out of the Gubernatorial race, saying in a statement that "neither the time nor circumstances are right for me at this time."
Lehigh County's website
Lehigh County, Pennsylvania
-Climate:Most of the county's climate is considered to fall in the humid continental climate zone. Summers are typically hot and muggy, fall and spring are generally mild, and winter is cold. Precipitation is almost uniformly distributed throughout the year....
. He is also the a former Secretary in the Pennsylvania Department of General Services
Pennsylvania Department of General Services
The Pennsylvania Department of General Services is an agency of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania that is responsible for the purchasing of goods and services for the state government. The DGS also "maintains and protects" buildings owned by the state government...
, as well as Mayor and Councilman of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Bethlehem is a city in Lehigh and Northampton Counties in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 74,982, making it the seventh largest city in Pennsylvania, after Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie,...
. A Democrat, Cunningham was also a rumored candidate for Governor of Pennsylvania in 2010.
Personal History
Cunningham was born on December 13, 1965. After 13 years in the Bethlehem school district, Don was educated in the Pennsylvania System of higher education where he went to Shippensburg UniversityShippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, commonly known as Ship, or SU, is a public university located in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, 40 miles west-southwest of Harrisburg...
and earned a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
Degree in Journalism and a minor in government (1987). He then worked his way through graduate school, finishing summa cum laude with a Master of Arts Degree in political science from Villanova University
Villanova University
Villanova University is a private university located in Radnor Township, a suburb northwest of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States...
(1991).
Before Politics
Before seeking public office, Cunningham worked in the private sector where he served as Senior Information Specialist at PPLPPL (utility)
PPL, formerly known as PP&L or Pennsylvania Power and Light, is an energy company headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA. It currently controls about 19,000 megawatts of electrical generating capacity in the United States, primarily in Pennsylvania and Montana, and delivers electricity to...
in Allentown and Media Relations Director at Moravian College
Moravian College
Moravian College a private liberal arts college, and the associated Moravian Theological Seminary are located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States, in the Lehigh Valley region.-History:...
in Bethlehem. Prior to that, Cunningham started his career as a newspaper reporter working for the former Bethlehem Globe Times and as a suburban correspondent with the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Bethlehem Council and Mayor
In 1995, Cunningham was elected to Bethlehem City Council. He successfully sought the office of Mayor in 1997 and was inaugurated in January 1998. He was re-elected to a second term in 2001.Cunningham was inaugurated during a particularly difficult time in Bethlehem's history. At the time, Bethlehem Steel
Bethlehem Steel
The Bethlehem Steel Corporation , based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, was once the second-largest steel producer in the United States, after Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based U.S. Steel. After a decline in the U.S...
had just closed, resulting in a 20,000 job loss and the loss of a significant portion the city's tax base. During his tenure, Cunningham guided more than $1 billion of new development and the creation of 2,500 new jobs into the city.
As Mayor, Cunningham proposed five city budgets with only one small tax increase (5½ %) and developed new and innovative programs to improve public safety and the delivery of neighborhood services. He was recognized for his innovations in the delivery of local government services by both the U.S. Conference of Mayors (1999) and former Governor Tom Ridge
Tom Ridge
Thomas Joseph "Tom" Ridge is an American politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives , the 43rd Governor of Pennsylvania , Assistant to the President for Homeland Security , and the first United States Secretary of Homeland Security...
(2001). The Democratic Leadership Council named Cunningham one of the top ten state and local "rising stars" in the Democratic Party in 2000.
In 2003, Cunningham resigned as Mayor of Bethlehem to become Secretary of the Department of General Services under Governor Ed Rendell
Ed Rendell
Edward Gene "Ed" Rendell is an American politician who served as the 45th Governor of Pennsylvania. Rendell, a member of the Democratic Party, was elected Governor of Pennsylvania in 2002, and his term of office began January 21, 2003...
.
Secretary of General Services
As Secretary of DGS, Don was also responsible for the management of more than 11,000 state-owned buildings, including the State Capitol, as well as 1,400 Commonwealth leases. He oversaw the design and construction of the state’s non-highway capital construction projects, the state’s minority and women-owned business contracting program, the Capitol Police Department, the Bureau of Commonwealth Media Services and served as the state’s real estate agent and insurance broker.As Secretary, Cunningham oversaw $4 billion of the Pennsylvania budget. He ran the Governors management & productivity initiative and saved the state $500 million in operating costs. Furthermore, DGS doubled the Commonwealth’s property insurance coverage while slashing premiums nearly in half, saving more than $4 million a year.
In the area of real estate, Don led the initiatives to save Pennsylvania’s taxpayers money by competitively selling off unneeded surplus state property and putting property back on the tax rolls, creating community and economic development in communities across Pennsylvania.
Cunningham also led the effort to more aggressively help local governments and school districts to realize purchasing savings by “piggyback” buying from state contracts on everything from vehicles to personal computers. Don’s business consolidation efforts also eliminated the redundancy of state warehouse facilities in the Harrisburg area, reducing the number of warehouses and supply centers from 17 to 4 and saving $4 million a year.
While in state government as Secretary of DGS, Cunningham served on the State Public School Building Authority and Pennsylvania Higher Educational Facilities Authority, as well as the Board of PENNVEST, the Capitol Preservation Committee, the Governor’s Homeland Security Advisory Council and the Agricultural Land Preservation Interagency Committee.
Lehigh County Executive
In 2005, Cunningham returned to to run for County Executive. During its history as a home rule County, Lehigh had never elected a Democrat as County Executive. Ultimately, Cunningham defeated incumbent Jane Ervin, 62-38%, or about 13,000 votes.In office, Cunningham has touted fiscal responsibility as one of his key strengths. Cunningham has presided over Lehigh County for three years with no property tax increase, and his administration has created a plan to prevent property tax increases for the foreseeable future, at least the next five years. Cunningham's administration also saw an increase in the bond rating for Lehigh County.
Cunningham's administration has also been witness to a variety of new programs in Lehigh County, including:
- The construction and opening of Coca-Cola Park, home to the new Triple-A baseballMinor league baseballMinor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
team, the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs.
- Creation of the Lehigh Valley’s first “Congress of Governments,” designed to help control growth and development, which allows shared services and enhanced cooperation across regional boundaries.
- Spearheading new efforts to assist in farmland preservationFarmland preservationFarmland preservation is a joint effort by non-governmental organizations and local governments to set aside and protect examples of a region's farmland for the use, education, and enjoyment of future generations...
. Under Cunningham, Lehigh County rose to third in the state in farmland preservation.
- Working towards the development of the Lehigh Valley Autism Resource Community Hub and a “safe house” which provides safe waiting area to comfort children who have been removed from their homes and are waiting for foster care placement.
In 2007, Cunningham endorsed Hillary Clinton for President. In April 2008, Cunningham was the top vote-getter (in the 15th congressional district) to serve as a delegate Hillary Clinton to the 2008 Democratic National Convention
2008 Democratic National Convention
The United States 2008 Democratic National Convention was a quadrennial presidential nominating convention of the Democratic Party where it adopted its national platform and officially nominated its candidates for President and Vice President of the United States. The convention was held in Denver,...
.
Gubernatorial Speculation
In what was described by one reporter as "one of the worst kept-secrets in State Politics," Cunningham announced in August 2007 that he was considering a run for Governor in 2010Pennsylvania gubernatorial election, 2010
The Pennsylvania gubernatorial election of 2010 was held on November 2, 2010. The winning candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor will serve a four-year term from 2011 to 2015. Candidates for Lieutenant Governor were nominated in a separate primary contest; however, the Lieutenant Governor,...
. A self-described "fiscal conservative", Cunningham had the potential to run well in the state's moderate electorate.
On June 25, Cunningham dropped out of the Gubernatorial race, saying in a statement that "neither the time nor circumstances are right for me at this time."
See also
Cunningham's campaign websiteLehigh County's website