Notable Cleveland politicians
Encyclopedia
Notable politician
s from the city of Cleveland, Ohio
:
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
s from the city of Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
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- John W. WilleyJohn W. WilleyJohn Wheelock Willey was an American politician of the Democratic Party who served as the first mayor of Cleveland, Ohio from 1836 to 1837....
was the first mayor of Cleveland from 1836 to 1837. Willey, an expert Jacksonian DemocratJacksonian democracyJacksonian democracy is the political movement toward greater democracy for the common man typified by American politician Andrew Jackson and his supporters. Jackson's policies followed the era of Jeffersonian democracy which dominated the previous political era. The Democratic-Republican Party of...
, was also a prominent jurist and a land developer who played a part in the early battles between Cleveland and Ohio CityOhio CityOhio City may refer to a place in the United States:*Ohio City, Colorado, an unincorporated town in Gunnison County*Ohio City, Ohio, a village in Van Wert County*Ohio City, Cleveland, a neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio...
. - Mark HannaMark HannaMarcus Alonzo "Mark" Hanna was a United States Senator from Ohio and the friend and political manager of President William McKinley...
, industrialist, U.S. Senator from 1897 to 1904, and political kingmakerKingmakerKingmaker is a term originally applied to the activities of Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick — "Warwick the Kingmaker" — during the Wars of the Roses in England. The term has come to be applied more generally to a person or group that has great influence in a royal or political succession,...
. - Tom L. JohnsonTom L. JohnsonThomas Loftin Johnson , better known as Tom L. Johnson, was an American politician of the Democratic Party from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He headed relief efforts after the Johnstown, Pennsylvania floods of 1889, was a U.S. Representative from 1891–1895 and the 35th mayor of...
was mayor from 1899 to 1909. Johnson is best remembered for being one of Cleveland's greatest and most progressive mayors. - Newton D. BakerNewton D. BakerNewton Diehl Baker, Jr. was an American politician who belonged to the Democratic Party. He served as the 37th mayor of Cleveland, Ohio from 1912 to 1915 and as U.S. Secretary of War from 1916 to 1921.-Early years:...
was mayor from 1912 to 1915. Like Johnson, Baker was a progressive Democrat. Baker later served as Secretary of WarUnited States Secretary of WarThe Secretary of War was a member of the United States President's Cabinet, beginning with George Washington's administration. A similar position, called either "Secretary at War" or "Secretary of War," was appointed to serve the Congress of the Confederation under the Articles of Confederation...
under President Woodrow WilsonWoodrow WilsonThomas Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States, from 1913 to 1921. A leader of the Progressive Movement, he served as President of Princeton University from 1902 to 1910, and then as the Governor of New Jersey from 1911 to 1913...
. Baker is also noteworthy for being considered as a candidate for the Democratic nomination for President in 1924, 1928, and 1932 (he was backed in 1932 by then-democrat Wendell WillkieWendell WillkieWendell Lewis Willkie was a corporate lawyer in the United States and a dark horse who became the Republican Party nominee for the president in 1940. A member of the liberal wing of the GOP, he crusaded against those domestic policies of the New Deal that he thought were inefficient and...
). - Frank J. LauscheFrank J. LauscheFrank John Lausche was a Democratic politician from Ohio. He served as the 47th mayor of Cleveland, Ohio, as the 55th and 57th Governor of Ohio, and as a United States Senator from Ohio for two terms .-Biography:His family originates from Slovenia. After serving in the U.S...
was Cleveland's first mayor of Eastern European descent. He later went on to become governor of Ohio twice and landed a seat in the SenateUnited States SenateThe United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
. - Thomas A. BurkeThomas A. BurkeThomas Aloysius Burke was a Democratic Party politician from Ohio. He served as the 48th mayor of Cleveland, Ohio and in the United States Senate from November 10, 1953 until December 2, 1954. Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport is named after him.Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Burke served in the U.S...
first served as law director then mayor of Cleveland for four terms (1946 to 1953). In his tenure, Burke began a large capital-improvement program that included the Cleveland Burke Lakefront AirportCleveland Burke Lakefront AirportCleveland Burke Lakefront Airport is a public airport situated on the shore of Lake Erie, in the northeast part of downtown Cleveland, in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States. It classified as a general aviation airport and is an FAA designated reliever to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport ,...
. - Anthony J. CelebrezzeAnthony J. CelebrezzeAnthony Joseph Celebrezze Sr. was an Italian American politician of the Democratic Party, who served as the 49th mayor of Cleveland, Ohio, as a cabinet member in the Kennedy and Johnson administrations, and as a U.S. appeals court judge....
, Burke's mayoral successor, is best noted for developing the Cleveland Seaport Foundation to promote the city as a world trade center. - Ralph S. LocherRalph S. LocherRalph Sidney Locher was a Romanian-born American politician of the Democratic party who served as the 50th mayor of Cleveland, Ohio....
became mayor of the city after Celebrezze from 1962 to 1967. Although Locher made some progress such as expanding Cleveland Hopkins International AirportCleveland Hopkins International AirportCleveland Hopkins International Airport is a public airport located nine miles southwest of the central business district of Cleveland, a city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States. The airport lies just within the city limits of Cleveland...
, his tenure was stained with the racial turmoil the city was facing at the time that eventually led to the Hough RiotsHough RiotsThe Hough Riots were race riots in the predominantly African American community of Hough in Cleveland, Ohio that took place over a six-night period from July 18 to July 23, 1966. During the riots, four African Americans were killed and 30 people were critically injured. In addition, there were 275...
of 1966. - Carl B. StokesCarl B. StokesCarl Burton Stokes was an American politician of the Democratic party who served as the 51st mayor of Cleveland, Ohio. Elected on November 7, 1967, but took office on Jan 1, 1968, he was the first African American mayor of a major U.S. city. Fellow Ohioan Robert C. Henry was the first African...
, the first African AmericanAfrican AmericanAfrican Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
mayor of a major city, was mayor of Cleveland from 1968 to 1971. - Louis StokesLouis StokesLouis Stokes is a Democratic politician from Ohio. He served in the United States House of Representatives....
, Carl's older brother, was a U.S. Congressman from 1968 to 1998, distinguished with 15 terms of service. - Dennis J. KucinichDennis KucinichDennis John Kucinich is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1997. He was furthermore a candidate for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States in the 2004 and 2008 presidential elections....
was mayor from 1977 to 1979. Kucinich's tenure is often viewed as one of the most turbulent in Cleveland's history. He barely survived a recall election1978 Cleveland Recall ElectionThe 1978 Cleveland Recall Election determined whether or not Cleveland, Ohio's 53rd mayor, Dennis Kucinich would be removed from office. It was the first mayoral recall election in the city's history.-Background:...
and a battle with Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company (CEI) over the sale of the city's publicly owned electric company, Municipal Light. He was later elected a U.S. Congressman and ran for President in 2004 and 2008. - George V. VoinovichGeorge VoinovichGeorge Victor Voinovich is a former United States Senator from the state of Ohio, and a member of the Republican Party. Previously, he served as the 65th Governor of Ohio from 1991 to 1998, and as the 54th mayor of Cleveland from 1980 to 1989.-Personal life:Born in Cleveland, Ohio, his father was...
was mayor from 1980 to 1989 and was subsequently elected as Governor of Ohio (1991-1999) and to the United States SenateUnited States SenateThe United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
(1999-present). Unusual in Cleveland politics, Voinovich is a RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
. - George L. ForbesGeorge L. ForbesGeorge Lawrence Forbes is an American politician of the Democratic Party. From 1974 to 1989, Forbes served as one of the most powerful presidents of Cleveland City Council. He is the former President of the Cleveland NAACP and is semi-retired from practicing law.-Early and personal life:Forbes was...
served as one of the most powerful presidents of Cleveland City CouncilCleveland City CouncilCleveland City Council is the legislative branch of the government of the City of Cleveland in Ohio. Its members are elected from 19 wards to four-year terms. The number of council members has decreased over the years...
from 1974 to 1989. - Michael R. WhiteMichael R. WhiteMichael Reed White is an American politician of the Democratic party and was the 55th and longest-serving mayor of Cleveland, Ohio encompassing three four-year terms, from 1990 to 2002...
was mayor from 1990 to 2001, and oversaw the construction of many large downtown projects, including GatewayGateway Sports and Entertainment ComplexThe Gateway Sports and Entertainment Complex is a multipurpose campus located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. It comprises two sports facilities, a transitional space known as Gateway Plaza, and two parking garages...
, Cleveland Browns StadiumCleveland Browns Stadium-See also:* List of current National Football League stadiums* Chronology of home stadiums for current National Football League teams* List of American football stadiums by capacity* List of U.S. stadiums by capacity* List of North American stadiums by capacity...
, the Rock and Roll Hall of FameRock and Roll Hall of FameThe Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a museum located on the shore of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It is dedicated to archiving the history of some of the best-known and most influential artists, producers, engineers and others who have, in some major way,...
, and the addition to the Cleveland Public LibraryCleveland Public LibraryThe Cleveland Public Library was founded in 1869 and is located in Cleveland, Ohio. It operates the Main Library on Superior Avenue in downtown Cleveland, 28 branches throughout the city, a mobile library, a Public Administration Library in City Hall, and a library for the blind and physically...
. White is currently under federal investigation for allegations of corruptionPolitical corruptionPolitical corruption is the use of legislated powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by...
and briberyBriberyBribery, a form of corruption, is an act implying money or gift giving that alters the behavior of the recipient. Bribery constitutes a crime and is defined by Black's Law Dictionary as the offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting of any item of value to influence the actions of an official or...
. - Jane L. CampbellJane L. CampbellJane Louise Campbell, is an American politician of the Democratic Party who served as the 56th and first female mayor of Cleveland, Ohio from January 1, 2002 to January 1, 2006.-Personal details:...
was the city's first female mayor. She was elected in 2001, and defeated for re-election in 2005. She is a former member of the Ohio House of RepresentativesOhio House of RepresentativesThe Ohio House of Representatives is the lower house of the Ohio General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Ohio; the other house of the bicameral legislature being the Ohio Senate....
and a former Cuyahoga County commissioner. After leaving the mayor's office, she became a lecturer at Harvard UniversityHarvard UniversityHarvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
. - Frank G. JacksonFrank G. JacksonFrank George Jackson is an American attorney and politician. He is currently the Mayor of Cleveland, Ohio. He was elected on November 8, 2005, unseating incumbent Jane Campbell and re-elected in 2009...
is the current mayor of Cleveland. A former city council president, he was elected on November 8, 2005 and assumed office on January 2, 2006. Jackson is the first sitting member of council to become mayor since Stephen BuhrerStephen BuhrerStephen Buhrer was the Democratic mayor of Cleveland from 1867 to 1870. Buhrer was born near Zoar, Ohio, in Tuscarawas County to Johann Casper and Anna Maria Miller Buhrer. His father died in 1829 and Buhrer was entrusted to the Society of Separatists until he was old enough...
in 1867.
See also
- List of Mayors of Cleveland, Ohio
- List of Ohio politicians
- History of Cleveland, OhioHistory of Cleveland, Ohio-Pre-history:At the end of the last glacial period, which ended about 15,000 years ago at the southern edge of Lake Erie, there was a tundra landscape. It took about two and a half millennia to turn this wet and cold landscape dryer and warmer, so that caribou, moose, deer, wolves, bears and...