Tim Hagan
Encyclopedia
Timothy Hagan a Democrat
, is an American politician in Ohio
.
, as one of fourteen siblings (including a twin brother, James). Hagan's father, Bob, was a Trumbull County Commissioner and, later, a State Representative. After graduating from Ursuline High School
. Hagan attended Youngstown State University
(then known as Youngstown State College). He was drafted for military service during the Vietnam War and served in Germany
in the late 1960s. After leaving the military, he worked as a baker and steelworker in Youngstown
before going on to earn a degree in urban studies from Cleveland State University
in 1975. He then worked as a social worker in Youngstown.
In 1973, Hagan married his first wife, Jeanne Marie Carney. Carney's father, John Carney, a successful property developer and later judge, helped Hagan to get his start in Democratic politics in his brother James Carney's 1971 campaign for mayor of Cleveland.
Democratic Party, beating Garfield Heights
ward leader Henry S. Trubiano. In that position, he became one of the first Democrats to endorse Edward M. Kennedy in the 1980 presidential election over the sitting Democratic President Jimmy Carter
. Prior to his endorsement, Hagan had been a guest of Kennedy at his home in Hyannisport.
Hagan was appointed Cuyahoga County's county recorder, but he failed to keep the seat in an election. He then ran for a seat on the Cuyahoga County board of commissioners, losing to Republican Virgil Brown. He ran again in 1981, this time successfully. Hagan served on the county commission for 16 years (1982–1998).
In 1989, Hagan made an unsuccessful attempt for the office of mayor of Cleveland
, losing the Democratic primary to Ohio State Senator Michael R. White
, who went on to defeat Cleveland City Council President George L. Forbes
in the general election. In 1992, with White's endorsement, Hagan made an unsuccessful bid for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives
, losing in the Democratic primary to incumbent U.S. Rep. Mary Rose Oakar
.
Hagan described himself as an avowed liberal
, ingrained by his father's politics, and expressed regret at the conservative
trend in the Democratic Party in the 1990s. He was known to quote Albert Camus
in his speeches, a habit that did not earn him the affection of blue-collar voters. However, he allowed for compromises with his innate liberalism, agreeing to go along with government funding for the Cleveland Gateway project, which included the construction of Jacobs Field
and Gund Arena.
Hagan has received praise from both sides of the political aisle. Republican Jim Petro
, the state auditor
and former fellow county commissioner, called him "the most honorable politician I've ever known." He even earned the friendship of former rival Forbes, who, during the 1989 election, had described Hagan as a "pimp
."
Hagan ran into political trouble when it was revealed that Cuyahoga County Treasurer Francis E. Gaul
(famous for saying that "Most people in Cleveland think Camus is the whale at Sea World
," in reference to Hagan) had made risky investments using county funds, having assured the Board of Commissioners that the Secured Assets Fund Earnings (SAFE
) fund was free of risk. Hagan was called as a witness for the defense
in Gaul's trial, saying that he had "implicitly" trusted Gaul's reassurances that the investments were safe.
It was 1994, however, and the booming economy mitigated the county treasury's losses and Hagan managed to win re-election to the board of commissioners.
In 1996, Hagan announced that he would retire from electoral politics after his term expired at the end of 1998, stating: "I'm in the twilight of a mediocre career. But I'm looking forward to going to the grocery store without someone asking me for a job."
In 2002, he ran for the office of Governor of Ohio and lost to the incumbent Republican, Robert A. Taft II
. Hagan's campaign against Taft using a duck
quacking "Taftquack" raised trademark issues with the American Family Life Insurance Company's
trademarked "AFLAC" quacking duck. The federal court in the Northern District of Ohio found that Hagan's commercial neither infringed nor diluted the AFLAC mark. 266 F. Supp. 2d 682.
In February 2004, Hagan announced his intention to run again for a seat on the Cuyahoga County commission against fellow Democrat and former colleague, Tim McCormack
. Hagan easily defeated McCormack in the Democratic primary election and faced no Republican opposition in the November 2004 general election. In November 2008, he was re-elected to the Cuyahoga County commission without opposition.
In November 2009, the voters of Cuyahoga County voted to change its governmental structure. Currently Tim Hagan is commissioner until 2011, when Cuyahoga County goes to an Executive-Council Form of government.
Hagan is married to actress Kate Mulgrew
of Ryan's Hope
and Star Trek Voyager fame. He has a close relationship with members of the Kennedy family—he is a godfather to Kate Kennedy Townsend, one of Robert Kennedy's grandchildren, and was a pallbearer at the funeral of Stephen E. Smith
, the late husband of Jean Kennedy Smith
.http://www.totallykate.com/articles/clevm200.html He also attended the funeral of John F. Kennedy, Jr.
with his wife, Kate Mulgrew.
Hagan's father, Robert E. Hagan
, served as a county commissioner on the board of commissioners of Trumbull County, Ohio
, and in the Ohio General Assembly
. Hagan's brother Robert F. Hagan
is a member of the Ohio House of Representatives
.
He has two daughters, named Eleanor and Marie and two stepsons Ian and Alexander 'Alec' Egan
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, is an American politician in Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
.
Early life
Hagan was born and grew up in Youngstown, OhioYoungstown, Ohio
Youngstown is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Mahoning County; it also extends into Trumbull County. The municipality is situated on the Mahoning River, approximately southeast of Cleveland and northwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
, as one of fourteen siblings (including a twin brother, James). Hagan's father, Bob, was a Trumbull County Commissioner and, later, a State Representative. After graduating from Ursuline High School
Ursuline High School, Youngstown
Ursuline High School is a private Catholic coeducational secondary school located in Youngstown, Ohio. Founded in 1905 by the Ursuline Sisters, it was an all-women's academy until 1930. The north side school is owned and operated by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Youngstown...
. Hagan attended Youngstown State University
Youngstown State University
Youngstown State University, founded in 1908, is an urban research university located in Youngstown, Ohio, United States. As of fall 2010, there were 15,194 students and a student-faculty ratio of 19:1. It is recognized as being one of the premier schools in the country, comparable to Ivy League...
(then known as Youngstown State College). He was drafted for military service during the Vietnam War and served in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
in the late 1960s. After leaving the military, he worked as a baker and steelworker in Youngstown
Youngstown, Ohio
Youngstown is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Mahoning County; it also extends into Trumbull County. The municipality is situated on the Mahoning River, approximately southeast of Cleveland and northwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
before going on to earn a degree in urban studies from Cleveland State University
Cleveland State University
Cleveland State University is a public university located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. It was established in 1964 when the state of Ohio assumed control of Fenn College, and it absorbed the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in 1969...
in 1975. He then worked as a social worker in Youngstown.
In 1973, Hagan married his first wife, Jeanne Marie Carney. Carney's father, John Carney, a successful property developer and later judge, helped Hagan to get his start in Democratic politics in his brother James Carney's 1971 campaign for mayor of Cleveland.
Political career
In 1978, Hagan became chairman of the Cuyahoga CountyCuyahoga County, Ohio
Cuyahoga County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. It is the most populous county in Ohio; as of the 2010 census, the population was 1,280,122. Its county seat is Cleveland. Cuyahoga County is part of Greater Cleveland, a metropolitan area, and Northeast Ohio, a...
Democratic Party, beating Garfield Heights
Garfield Heights, Ohio
Garfield Heights is a city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States. The population was 28,849 at the time of the 2010 census.-Geography:Garfield Heights is located at ....
ward leader Henry S. Trubiano. In that position, he became one of the first Democrats to endorse Edward M. Kennedy in the 1980 presidential election over the sitting Democratic President Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
. Prior to his endorsement, Hagan had been a guest of Kennedy at his home in Hyannisport.
Hagan was appointed Cuyahoga County's county recorder, but he failed to keep the seat in an election. He then ran for a seat on the Cuyahoga County board of commissioners, losing to Republican Virgil Brown. He ran again in 1981, this time successfully. Hagan served on the county commission for 16 years (1982–1998).
In 1989, Hagan made an unsuccessful attempt for the office of mayor of Cleveland
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...
, losing the Democratic primary to Ohio State Senator Michael R. White
Michael R. White
Michael 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...
, who went on to defeat Cleveland City Council President George L. Forbes
George L. Forbes
George 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...
in the general election. In 1992, with White's endorsement, Hagan made an unsuccessful bid for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
, losing in the Democratic primary to incumbent U.S. Rep. Mary Rose Oakar
Mary Rose Oakar
Mary Rose Oakar is an American Democratic politician and former member of the United States House of Representatives from Ohio, the first Democratic woman elected to the United States Congress from that state....
.
Hagan described himself as an avowed liberal
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
, ingrained by his father's politics, and expressed regret at the conservative
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
trend in the Democratic Party in the 1990s. He was known to quote Albert Camus
Albert Camus
Albert Camus was a French author, journalist, and key philosopher of the 20th century. In 1949, Camus founded the Group for International Liaisons within the Revolutionary Union Movement, which was opposed to some tendencies of the Surrealist movement of André Breton.Camus was awarded the 1957...
in his speeches, a habit that did not earn him the affection of blue-collar voters. However, he allowed for compromises with his innate liberalism, agreeing to go along with government funding for the Cleveland Gateway project, which included the construction of Jacobs Field
Jacobs Field
Progressive Field is a ballpark located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, and is the home of the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball and the American League. Along with Quicken Loans Arena, it is part of the Gateway Sports and Entertainment Complex...
and Gund Arena.
Hagan has received praise from both sides of the political aisle. Republican Jim Petro
Jim Petro
James M. “Jim” Petro is an American politician from the Republican Party, and a former Ohio Attorney General. Previously, Petro also served as Ohio State Auditor. Petro was a candidate for the Republican nomination for Governor of Ohio during the 2006 Ohio Primaries, but lost to Ken Blackwell...
, the state auditor
Ohio State Auditor
The Ohio State Auditor is responsible for auditing all the public offices of the state of Ohio. The auditor is elected to a four-year term. The current Auditor is Dave Yost....
and former fellow county commissioner, called him "the most honorable politician I've ever known." He even earned the friendship of former rival Forbes, who, during the 1989 election, had described Hagan as a "pimp
Pimp
A pimp is an agent for prostitutes who collects part of their earnings. The pimp may receive this money in return for advertising services, physical protection, or for providing a location where she may engage clients...
."
Hagan ran into political trouble when it was revealed that Cuyahoga County Treasurer Francis E. Gaul
Frank Gaul
Francis E. Gaul is an American politician of the Democratic party. He was the Treasurer of Cuyahoga County, Ohio from 1976 to 1995....
(famous for saying that "Most people in Cleveland think Camus is the whale at Sea World
Sea World
Sea World is a marine mammal park, oceanarium, and theme park located on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. It includes rides, animal exhibits and other attractions, and promotes conservation through education and through the rescue and rehabilitation of sick, injured or orphaned wildlife. The...
," in reference to Hagan) had made risky investments using county funds, having assured the Board of Commissioners that the Secured Assets Fund Earnings (SAFE
SAFE
SAFE as an acronym can refer to:* S.A.F.E , The underwater cable with fiber optic passing through Mauritius* Safe Affordable Fission Engine, a series of small experimental nuclear reactors designed by NASA...
) fund was free of risk. Hagan was called as a witness for the defense
Defense (legal)
In civil proceedings and criminal prosecutions under the common law, a defendant may raise a defense in an attempt to avoid criminal or civil liability...
in Gaul's trial, saying that he had "implicitly" trusted Gaul's reassurances that the investments were safe.
It was 1994, however, and the booming economy mitigated the county treasury's losses and Hagan managed to win re-election to the board of commissioners.
In 1996, Hagan announced that he would retire from electoral politics after his term expired at the end of 1998, stating: "I'm in the twilight of a mediocre career. But I'm looking forward to going to the grocery store without someone asking me for a job."
In 2002, he ran for the office of Governor of Ohio and lost to the incumbent Republican, Robert A. Taft II
Bob Taft
Robert Alphonso "Bob" Taft II is an Ohio Republican Party politician. He was elected to two terms of office as the 67th Governor of the U.S. state of Ohio between 1999-2007. After leaving office, Taft started working for the University of Dayton beginning August 15, 2007.-Personal background:Taft...
. Hagan's campaign against Taft using a duck
Duck
Duck is the common name for a large number of species in the Anatidae family of birds, which also includes swans and geese. The ducks are divided among several subfamilies in the Anatidae family; they do not represent a monophyletic group but a form taxon, since swans and geese are not considered...
quacking "Taftquack" raised trademark issues with the American Family Life Insurance Company's
Aflac
Aflac Incorporated is the largest provider of supplemental insurance in the United States, founded in 1955 and based in Columbus, Georgia. In the United States, Aflac underwrites a wide range of insurance policies, but is perhaps more known for its payroll deduction insurance coverage, which pays...
trademarked "AFLAC" quacking duck. The federal court in the Northern District of Ohio found that Hagan's commercial neither infringed nor diluted the AFLAC mark. 266 F. Supp. 2d 682.
In February 2004, Hagan announced his intention to run again for a seat on the Cuyahoga County commission against fellow Democrat and former colleague, Tim McCormack
Tim McCormack
Tim McCormack is a politician from Cuyahoga County, Ohio. He has served in a wide array of positions ranging from Commissioner, Auditor, as well as state Senator. He is currently a potential candidate for Cuyahoga County Executive.-References:...
. Hagan easily defeated McCormack in the Democratic primary election and faced no Republican opposition in the November 2004 general election. In November 2008, he was re-elected to the Cuyahoga County commission without opposition.
In November 2009, the voters of Cuyahoga County voted to change its governmental structure. Currently Tim Hagan is commissioner until 2011, when Cuyahoga County goes to an Executive-Council Form of government.
Personal life
Kate Mulgrew
Katherine Kiernan Maria "Kate" Mulgrew is an American actress, most noted for her roles on Star Trek: Voyager as Captain Kathryn Janeway and Ryan's Hope as Mary Ryan...
of Ryan's Hope
Ryan's Hope
Ryan's Hope is an American soap opera, revolving around 13 years of trials and tribulations within a large Irish American family in the Riverside district of New York City. It aired from July 7, 1975 to January 13, 1989 on ABC...
and Star Trek Voyager fame. He has a close relationship with members of the Kennedy family—he is a godfather to Kate Kennedy Townsend, one of Robert Kennedy's grandchildren, and was a pallbearer at the funeral of Stephen E. Smith
Stephen Edward Smith
Stephen Edward Smith was the husband of Jean Ann Kennedy. He was a financial analyst and political strategist in the 1960 United States Presidential campaign of his brother-in-law, John F. Kennedy.-Biography:...
, the late husband of Jean Kennedy Smith
Jean Kennedy Smith
Jean Ann Kennedy Smith is an American diplomat and a former United States Ambassador to Ireland. She is the eighth of nine children born to Joseph Patrick Kennedy, Sr. and Rose Elizabeth Fitzgerald and is their last surviving child. She is the sister of the 35th U.S. President, John F. Kennedy,...
.http://www.totallykate.com/articles/clevm200.html He also attended the funeral of John F. Kennedy, Jr.
John F. Kennedy, Jr.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Jr. , often referred to as John F. Kennedy, Jr., JFK Jr., John Jr. or John-John, was an American socialite, magazine publisher, lawyer, and pilot. The elder son of U.S. President John F...
with his wife, Kate Mulgrew.
Hagan's father, Robert E. Hagan
Robert Hagan
Robert Emmet Hagan was an American politician of the Democratic Party.Hagan was an ironworker in Youngstown and served as a county commissioner in Trumbull County, Ohio, before being elected to the Ohio General Assembly in the district of his adopted hometown of Madison, Ohio...
, served as a county commissioner on the board of commissioners of Trumbull County, Ohio
Trumbull County, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 225,116 people, 89,020 households, and 61,690 families residing in the county. The population density was 365 people per square mile . There were 95,117 housing units at an average density of 154 per square mile...
, and in the Ohio General Assembly
Ohio General Assembly
The Ohio General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Ohio. It consists of the 99-member Ohio House of Representatives and the 33-member Ohio Senate...
. Hagan's brother Robert F. Hagan
Bob Hagan
Robert F. Hagan is an American politician affiliated with the Democratic party who has held a seat in the Ohio House of Representatives for the Sixtieth District since 2007...
is a member of the Ohio House of Representatives
Ohio House of Representatives
The 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....
.
He has two daughters, named Eleanor and Marie and two stepsons Ian and Alexander 'Alec' Egan
See also
- Election Results, Ohio GovernorElection Results, Ohio GovernorThe voters of the U.S. state of Ohio elect a governor for a four-year term. There is a term limit of two consecutive terms as governor. Bold type indicates victor. Italic type indicates incumbent. Starting in 1978, the nominees for governor and lieutenant governor ran on a joint ticket.-Democratic...
- Election Results, Ohio Governor (Democratic Primaries)