Kevin Acklin
Encyclopedia
Kevin Acklin a lawyer and community activist, was the Independent candidate for Mayor the City of Pittsburgh in 2009. He was born in South Oakland, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
.
On March 10, 2009, Acklin announced that he had changed his political registration to Independent and had begun a two-month exploratory process to consider running for Mayor of Pittsburgh in the city's general election
.
On May 17, 2009, Acklin officially filed as an Independent candidate for mayor. On June 3, 2009, Acklin kicked-off his campaign with a rally at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, declaring himself a "Pittsburgher first" who would unite "that silent majority that wants to see better leadership in the mayor's office."
Acklin founded and serves as Executive Director of RenewPittsburgh, an all-volunteer organization that works with community leaders and residents to promote the revitalization of his hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Government from Harvard University
and a J.D. from Georgetown University
.
After working for Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge
and practicing law in Boston
, Acklin returned home to Pittsburgh to live and to raise his family. He works as a Business and Finance attorney with the law firm Morgan, Lewis & Bockius. Acklin is active in Pittsburgh's non-profit community, and he also organizes pro bono volunteer legal services for victims of domestic violence, green technology companies, and community groups.
The incumbent Mayor of Pittsburgh, Luke Ravenstahl
defeated Mr. Acklin and the son of former Pittsburgh Steelers
running back Franco Harris
, Franco "Dok" Harris, by a wide margin in the general election on November 3'rd, 2009. In the final tally, Kevin placed third in the field of candidates with 19% of the final vote. In his concession remarks that night, Kevin told his supporters that "This campaign was about you -- all of you -- whether or not you voted for me or even supported me, because this was never about politics. It was always about Pittsburgh."
! style="background-color: #3333FF; width: 2px;" |
| style="width: 130px" | Democratic
/Republican
| | Luke Ravenstahl
| align="right" | 28,528
| align="right" | 55.22%
|-
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
.
On March 10, 2009, Acklin announced that he had changed his political registration to Independent and had begun a two-month exploratory process to consider running for Mayor of Pittsburgh in the city's general election
Pittsburgh mayoral election, 2009
Pittsburgh held a mayoral election on November 3, 2009. Incumbent mayor Luke Ravenstahl, a Democrat, defeated his two independent challengers by a wide margin...
.
On May 17, 2009, Acklin officially filed as an Independent candidate for mayor. On June 3, 2009, Acklin kicked-off his campaign with a rally at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, declaring himself a "Pittsburgher first" who would unite "that silent majority that wants to see better leadership in the mayor's office."
Acklin founded and serves as Executive Director of RenewPittsburgh, an all-volunteer organization that works with community leaders and residents to promote the revitalization of his hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Government from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard 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...
and a J.D. from Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
.
After working for Pennsylvania 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...
and practicing law in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Acklin returned home to Pittsburgh to live and to raise his family. He works as a Business and Finance attorney with the law firm Morgan, Lewis & Bockius. Acklin is active in Pittsburgh's non-profit community, and he also organizes pro bono volunteer legal services for victims of domestic violence, green technology companies, and community groups.
The incumbent Mayor of Pittsburgh, Luke Ravenstahl
Luke Ravenstahl
Luke Robert Ravenstahl is the current Mayor of Pittsburgh. In September 2006, he became the youngest mayor in Pittsburgh's history at the age of 26. He is among the youngest mayors of a major city in American history....
defeated Mr. Acklin and the son of former Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
running back Franco Harris
Franco Harris
Franco Harris is a former American football player. He played his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks.In the 1972 NFL Draft he was chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round, the 13th selection overall...
, Franco "Dok" Harris, by a wide margin in the general election on November 3'rd, 2009. In the final tally, Kevin placed third in the field of candidates with 19% of the final vote. In his concession remarks that night, Kevin told his supporters that "This campaign was about you -- all of you -- whether or not you voted for me or even supported me, because this was never about politics. It was always about Pittsburgh."
General election results, 2009
|-! style="background-color: #3333FF; width: 2px;" |
| style="width: 130px" | Democratic
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...
/Republican
Republican 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...
| | Luke Ravenstahl
Luke Ravenstahl
Luke Robert Ravenstahl is the current Mayor of Pittsburgh. In September 2006, he became the youngest mayor in Pittsburgh's history at the age of 26. He is among the youngest mayors of a major city in American history....
| align="right" | 28,528
| align="right" | 55.22%
|-