Michael B. Coleman
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| Michael B. Coleman | |
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Mayor of Columbus
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 2000 |
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| Preceded by | Greg Lashutka |
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| Born | November 18, 1954 Toledo, Ohio |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Frankie Coleman |
| Residence | Columbus, Ohio |
| Alma mater | University of Cincinnati, University of Dayton |
| Profession | attorney |
Michael B. Coleman (b. November 18, 1954) is an American politician of the Democratic Party and the mayor of Columbus, Ohio. He is the first African American mayor of Ohio's capital.
Coleman earned an undergraduate degree in political science at the University of Cincinnati and a law degree from the University of Dayton. Coleman was a member of the Columbus City Council from 1992-1999, and served as President of the City Council from 1997-1999. In 1998, Coleman was the running mate for gubernatorial candidate Lee Fisher.
Coleman ran for and won the Columbus mayorship in 1999, and was re-elected unopposed November 4, 2003.
In February 2005, Coleman announced that he would run for the Democratic nomination for Governor of Ohio in the 2006 gubernatorial race, but subsequently dropped out of the race on November 29, 2005, citing heavy work and family obligations.
In January 2007, Mayor Coleman announced his bid for a third term as Mayor of Columbus.
In 2008, Coleman endorsed Barack Obama for President.
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[edit] Election to City Council
Michael B. Coleman began his career in public office when he was appointed to Columbus City Council in 1992. He was subsequently re-elected to two terms in office. Coleman served as City Council President from 1997 until his election as Mayor in 1999.
[edit] 2006 Democratic Primary for Governor of Ohio
In 2005, Michael B. Coleman was the first Democrat to announce in the Democratic Primary for Governor of Ohio. On November 29, 2005 Coleman withdrew from the race for the Democratic nomination for Governor. He cited family concerns and also that the city of Columbus needed him.
Coleman later endorsed fellow Democrat Ted Strickland for Governor. After Strickland’s victory in November 2006, Michael B. Coleman was selected as Chair for Strickland’s Transition Team.
[edit] 2007 Mayoral Campaign
In 2007, Mayor Coleman easily defeated opponent Republican William Todd in the November election.
[edit] Mayoral career
Since 2000, Mayor Coleman has spent $54 million less than budgeted. At the same time, he boosted the city's spending on police and fire services from 63 percent of the city operating budget to 71 percent in 2005. Coleman has also cut more than $190 million from continuation budgeting levels since 2000, despite increases in costs for medical insurance, wages and Workers Compensation. His record of fiscal management has protected Columbus’ AAA Bond Rating – the highest possible credit rating.
Coleman is a member of the Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition,[1] a bi-partisan group with a stated goal of "making the public safer by getting illegal guns off the streets." The Coalition is co-chaired by Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Coleman is longlisted for the 2008 World Mayor award.
[edit] Personal life
Michael B. Coleman was born in Ohio on November 18, 1954. He was raised in Toledo and graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1977 with a degree in Political Science. He earned his law degree in 1980 from the University of Dayton Law School. Coleman is married to Franklin Coleman, and they have three adult children, Kimberly, Justin, who is an officer with the Columbus Division of Police, and John-David, who is a Sergeant in the U.S. Marines.
[edit] See also
- Election Results, Ohio Lieutenant Governor
- Election Results, Ohio Lieutenant Governor (Democratic Primaries)
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- [1] Coleman drops bid for Ohio Governor.
- [2] Strickland Transition Team Updates.
- [3] Columbus Dispatch, May 9, 2007.
| Preceded by: Gregory S. Lashutka |
Mayor of Columbus, Ohio 2000–Present |
Succeeded by: Incumbent |
