List of Mayors of Cleveland, Ohio
Encyclopedia
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of the city
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...
's government. In 1924, the mayor-council (strong mayor) form of government was replaced by a city manager
City manager
A city manager is an official appointed as the administrative manager of a city, in a council-manager form of city government. Local officials serving in this position are sometimes referred to as the chief executive officer or chief administrative officer in some municipalities...
plan. This was later reversed in 1931. Cleveland elections were partisan
Partisan (political)
In politics, a partisan is a committed member of a political party. In multi-party systems, the term is widely understood to carry a negative connotation - referring to those who wholly support their party's policies and are perhaps even reluctant to acknowledge correctness on the part of their...
, but were made nonpartisan
Nonpartisan
In political science, nonpartisan denotes an election, event, organization or person in which there is no formally declared association with a political party affiliation....
in 1977 under the mayoral administration of Ralph J. Perk
Ralph J. Perk
Ralph Joseph Perk was an American politician of the Republican Party who served as the 52nd mayor of Cleveland, Ohio.-Political career:...
. The term of office for the mayor and members of Cleveland City Council
Cleveland City Council
Cleveland 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...
was traditionally two years, and was extended to four years in 1981.
Cleveland has had a total of 57 mayoral administrations, including the city's current mayor, Frank G. Jackson
Frank G. Jackson
Frank 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...
. Seven of these were nonconsecutive served terms by earlier mayors. Cleveland's official website lists 53 mayors; it does not count the second nonconsecutive terms of Joshua Mills
Joshua Mills
Joshua Mills was a pioneer physician and an American politician of the Whig Party who served as the second mayor of Cleveland, Ohio from 1838 to 1839 and later as the city's fifth mayor in 1842....
, George B. Senter
George B. Senter
George B. Senter was the mayor of Cleveland from 1859 to 1860.Senter was born in Potsdam, New York to David K. and Susan Senter. Senter was elected to city council from the 1st ward in 1858 and was then elected to mayor in 1859 serving until 1860...
, and John H. Farley
John H. Farley
John Harrington Farley , also known as "Honest John" Farley, was an American politician of the Democratic Party who served as the 27th and 34th mayor of Cleveland, Ohio from 1883 to 1884 and from 1899 to 1900....
, and does not list Mayor Jackson. During the 2005 mayoral election, most media sources including The Plain Dealer and the city's major local news networks (WKYC, WEWS, WJW, and WOIO
WOIO
WOIO, virtual channel 19 , is the CBS affiliate in Cleveland, Ohio. It is licensed to the nearby suburb of Shaker Heights. WOIO is owned by Raycom Media and its sister station to MyNetworkTV affiliate WUAB . The two stations share a studio facility in Cleveland and WOIO's transmitter is located in...
) all mistakenly referred to Jackson as Cleveland's 56th mayor.
19th century
| John W. Willey John W. Willey John Wheelock Willey was an American politician of the Democratic Party who served as the first mayor of Cleveland, Ohio from 1836 to 1837.... |
1836–1837 | Democrat |
| Joshua Mills Joshua Mills Joshua Mills was a pioneer physician and an American politician of the Whig Party who served as the second mayor of Cleveland, Ohio from 1838 to 1839 and later as the city's fifth mayor in 1842.... |
1838–1839 | Whig |
| Nicholas Dockstader Nicholas Dockstader Nicholas Dockstader was the third mayor of Cleveland, Ohio. He served only one year, in 1840.Dockstader was born in Albany, New York to Jacob and Angela Dockstader. Nicholas had two brothers, Richard and Butler. Dockstader and his brothers moved to Cleveland in 1826... |
1840 | Whig |
| John W. Allen John W. Allen John William Allen was a lawyer and politician from Ohio.Born in Litchfield, Connecticut, he moved to Cleveland, Ohio in 1825. He served in the Ohio State Senate in 1836 and 1837... |
1841 | Whig |
| Joshua Mills Joshua Mills Joshua Mills was a pioneer physician and an American politician of the Whig Party who served as the second mayor of Cleveland, Ohio from 1838 to 1839 and later as the city's fifth mayor in 1842.... (second) |
1842 | Whig |
| Nelson Hayward Nelson Hayward Nelson Hayward was the sixth mayor of Cleveland, Ohio. He served only one term, in 1843.Hayward was born in Braintree, Massachusetts to William and Marjory Hayward. He was educated in Massachusetts and came to Cleveland with his two brothers, Joseph and John, in 1825. In 1840 Hayward became the... |
1843 | Democrat |
| Samuel Starkweather Samuel Starkweather Samuel Starkweather was mayor of Cleveland from 1844–1845 and served a second term from 1857–1858.... |
1844–1845 | Democrat |
| George Hoadley | 1846 | Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... |
| Josiah A. Harris Josiah A. Harris Josiah A. Harris was the mayor of Cleveland, Ohio in 1847.Harris moved from Becket, Massachusetts in 1818 to North Amherst in Lorain County. Harris was elected sheriff of Elyria in 1832 and began the Ohio Atlas & Elyria Advertiser, a weekly newspaper... |
1847 | Whig |
| Lorenzo A. Kelsey Lorenzo A. Kelsey Lorenzo A. Kelsey was the mayor of Cleveland in 1848.Kelsey was born to Eber and Lucy Ann Leete Kelsey in Port Leyden, New York, where he was locally educated. He later moved to Youngstown to work in the lumber industry... |
1848 | Democrat |
| Flavel W. Bingham Flavel W. Bingham Flavel W. Bingham was the mayor of Cleveland in 1849.Bingham was born in New York to Flavel and Fanny White Bingham. He studied law, moved to Cleveland in 1837, and began Collins & Bingham, a law practice. He was elected to the position of city council president in 1845... |
1849 | Republican |
| William Case William Case William Case was an American politician of the Republican party and served as the 12th mayor of Cleveland, Ohio from 1850 and 1851. He was the first Cleveland-born citizen to become mayor.... |
1850–1851 | Republican |
| Abner C. Brownell Abner C. Brownell Abner C. Brownell was the mayor of Cleveland, Ohio from 1852–1854.Brownell was born to Nathan C. and Elizabeth Adams Smith Brownell in Massachusetts where he was locally educated. Brownell moved to Cleveland in the 1840s and began working in the iron and glass industries employed by the W.... |
1852–1854 | Democrat |
| William B. Castle William B. Castle William Bainbridge Castle was an American politician of the Whig Party who served as the 11th and final mayor of Ohio City from 1853 to 1854 and the 14th mayor of Cleveland, Ohio from 1855 and 1856.... |
1855–1856 | Whig |
| Samuel Starkweather Samuel Starkweather Samuel Starkweather was mayor of Cleveland from 1844–1845 and served a second term from 1857–1858.... (second) |
1857–1858 | Democrat |
| George B. Senter George B. Senter George B. Senter was the mayor of Cleveland from 1859 to 1860.Senter was born in Potsdam, New York to David K. and Susan Senter. Senter was elected to city council from the 1st ward in 1858 and was then elected to mayor in 1859 serving until 1860... |
1859–1860 | Republican |
| Edward S. Flint Edward S. Flint Edward Sherrill Flint was the mayor of Cleveland, Ohio, from 1861–1862.-Biography:Although Flint was born in Warren, Ohio, he was raised by his grandparents in Vermont because of the early deaths of his parents. After local schooling, Flint started working as a bookkeeper... |
1861–1862 | Democrat |
| Irvine U. Masters Irvine U. Masters Irvine U. Masters was the mayor of Cleveland, Ohio, from 1863–1864.-Biography:Masters was born in New York and moved to Cleveland with his first wife, Naomi, in 1851. Masters became a trustee of Ohio City. He later helped William B. Castle negotiate the merger between Cleveland and Ohio City... |
1863–1864 | Republican |
| George B. Senter George B. Senter George B. Senter was the mayor of Cleveland from 1859 to 1860.Senter was born in Potsdam, New York to David K. and Susan Senter. Senter was elected to city council from the 1st ward in 1858 and was then elected to mayor in 1859 serving until 1860... (second) |
1864 | Republican |
| Herman M. Chapin Herman M. Chapin Herman M. Chapin was the mayor of Cleveland from 1865–1866.Chapin was born in Walpole, New Hampshire to Nathaniel and Fanny Bowen Brown Chapin. He was educated locally and eventually moved to Cleveland in 1848 where he became a partner in the grocery business. In 1852, he established his... |
1865–1866 | Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... |
| Stephen Buhrer Stephen Buhrer Stephen 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... |
1867–1870 | Democrat |
| Frederick W. Pelton Frederick W. Pelton Frederick W. Pelton was mayor of Cleveland, Ohio 1871-1872. He was a Republican, and served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Biography:... |
1871–1872 | Republican |
| Charles A. Otis Sr. | 1873–1874 | Democrat |
| Nathan P. Payne Nathan P. Payne Nathan P. Payne was the mayor of Cleveland, Ohio from 1875 to 1876. He was a Democrat.-Biography:Nathan P. Payne was born August 13, 1837 in Cleveland, oldest son of Henry B. Payne. He attended local schools, and Pierce Academy in Middleborough, Massachusetts. Ill health caused him to return home... |
1875–1876 | Democrat |
| William G. Rose William G. Rose William G. Rose was a Republican mayor of Cleveland, Ohio, United States in the nineteenth century.-Biography:... |
1877–1878 | Republican |
| Rensselaer R. Herrick | 1879–1882 | Republican |
| John H. Farley John H. Farley John Harrington Farley , also known as "Honest John" Farley, was an American politician of the Democratic Party who served as the 27th and 34th mayor of Cleveland, Ohio from 1883 to 1884 and from 1899 to 1900.... |
1883–1884 | Democrat |
| George W. Gardner | 1885–1886 | Republican |
| Brenton D. Babcock | 1887–1888 | Democrat |
| George W. Gardner (second) | 1889–1890 | Republican |
| William G. Rose William G. Rose William G. Rose was a Republican mayor of Cleveland, Ohio, United States in the nineteenth century.-Biography:... (second) |
1891–1892 | Republican |
| Robert Blee Robert Blee Robert Blee was the mayor of Cleveland, Ohio from 1893 to 1894.-References:* The Encyclopedia Of Cleveland History by Cleveland Bicentennial Commission , David D. Van Tassel , and John J... |
1893–1894 | Democrat |
| Robert E. McKisson Robert E. McKisson Robert Erastus McKisson was an American politician of the Republican party and served as the 33rd mayor of Cleveland, Ohio from 1895 to 1898.... |
1895–1898 | Republican |
| John H. Farley John H. Farley John Harrington Farley , also known as "Honest John" Farley, was an American politician of the Democratic Party who served as the 27th and 34th mayor of Cleveland, Ohio from 1883 to 1884 and from 1899 to 1900.... (second) |
1899–1900 | Democrat |
Mayors of Ohio City
Prior to its annexation, Ohio City was a separate entity and fierce rival of Cleveland. The city had eleven mayors from 1836 to 1854. The political affiliations of these mayors are currently unknown, although William B. CastleWilliam B. Castle
William Bainbridge Castle was an American politician of the Whig Party who served as the 11th and final mayor of Ohio City from 1853 to 1854 and the 14th mayor of Cleveland, Ohio from 1855 and 1856....
became mayor of Cleveland as a Whig after Ohio City's incorporation.
| Josiah Barber Josiah Barber Josiah Barber was the first mayor of Ohio City, Ohio. He was elected in 1836.-References:... |
1836 |
| Francis A. Burrows | 1837 |
| Norman C. Baldwin | 1838–1839 |
| Needham M. Standart | 1840–1841 |
| Francis A. Burrows (second) | 1842 |
| Richard Lord | 1843 |
| Daniel H. Lamb | 1844–1846 |
| David Griffith | 1847 |
| John Beverlin | 1848 |
| Thomas Burnham | 1849–1850 |
| Benjamin Sheldon | 1851–1852 |
| William B. Castle William B. Castle William Bainbridge Castle was an American politician of the Whig Party who served as the 11th and final mayor of Ohio City from 1853 to 1854 and the 14th mayor of Cleveland, Ohio from 1855 and 1856.... |
1853–1854 |
20th century
| Tom L. Johnson Tom L. Johnson Thomas 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... |
1901–1909 | Democrat |
| Herman C. Baehr Herman C. Baehr Herman C. Baehr was an American politician of the Republican Party who served as the 36th mayor of Cleveland, Ohio from 1910 to 1911.... |
1910–1911 | Republican |
| Newton D. Baker Newton D. Baker Newton 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:... |
1912–1915 | Democrat |
| Harry L. Davis Harry L. Davis Harry Lyman Davis was an American politician of the Republican Party. He served as the 38th and 44th mayor of Cleveland, Ohio and as the 49th Governor of Ohio.... |
1916–1919 | Republican |
| William S. Fitzgerald William S. Fitzgerald William Sinton FitzGerald was an American politician of the Republican Party who served as the 39th mayor of Cleveland, Ohio.... |
1920–1921 | Republican |
| Frederick Kohler Frederick Kohler Frederick Kohler was an American politician of the Republican Party who served as the 40th mayor of Cleveland, Ohio from 1922 to 1923. He was born in Cleveland to Christian and Fredericka Kohler. As a teenager, he left school to help his father in Kohler Stone Works... |
1922–1923 | Republican |
| William R. Hopkins William R. Hopkins William Rowland Hopkins was an American politician of the Republican Party who served as the first city manager of Cleveland, Ohio from 1924 to 1929, during the brief period that Cleveland had a council-manager government instead of a mayor-council government.Hopkins was born in Johnstown,... (city manager) |
1924–1929 | Republican |
| Daniel E. Morgan Daniel E. Morgan Daniel Edgar Morgan was an American politician of the Republican party who served as the second and last city manager of Cleveland, Ohio, but is often regarded as the 42nd mayor of the city. He was the last member of Cleveland City Council to become mayor until Frank G... (city manager) |
1930–1931 | Republican |
| Raymond T. Miller Raymond T. Miller Raymond Thomas Miller was an American politician who served as the 43rd mayor of Cleveland, Ohio and the chairman of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party for over twenty years.-Biography:... |
1932–1933 | Democrat |
| Harry L. Davis Harry L. Davis Harry Lyman Davis was an American politician of the Republican Party. He served as the 38th and 44th mayor of Cleveland, Ohio and as the 49th Governor of Ohio.... (second) |
1934–1935 | Republican |
| Harold H. Burton Harold Hitz Burton Harold Hitz Burton was an American politician and lawyer.He served as the 45th mayor of Cleveland, Ohio, as a U.S. Senator from Ohio, and as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. He was known as a dispassionate jurist who prized equal justice under the law.-Biography:He... |
1936–1940 | Republican |
| Edward J. Blythin Edward J. Blythin Edward Blythin was an American politician and jurist of the Republican party who served as the 46th mayor of Cleveland, Ohio.... |
1941 | Republican |
| Frank J. Lausche Frank J. Lausche Frank 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... |
1942–1945 | Democrat |
| Thomas A. Burke Thomas A. Burke Thomas 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... |
1946–1953 | Democrat |
| Anthony J. Celebrezze Anthony J. Celebrezze Anthony 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.... |
1954–1961 | Democrat |
| Ralph S. Locher Ralph S. Locher Ralph Sidney Locher was a Romanian-born American politician of the Democratic party who served as the 50th mayor of Cleveland, Ohio.... |
1962–1967 | Democrat |
| Carl B. Stokes Carl B. Stokes Carl 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... |
1968–1971 | Democrat |
| Ralph J. Perk Ralph J. Perk Ralph Joseph Perk was an American politician of the Republican Party who served as the 52nd mayor of Cleveland, Ohio.-Political career:... |
1972–1977 | Republican |
| Dennis J. Kucinich Dennis Kucinich Dennis 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.... |
1977–1979 | Democrat |
| George V. Voinovich George Voinovich George 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... |
1980–1989 | Republican |
| 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... |
1990–2001 | Democrat |
21st century
| Jane L. Campbell Jane L. Campbell Jane 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:... |
January 7, 2002 – January 2, 2006 | Democrat |
| Frank G. Jackson Frank G. Jackson Frank 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... |
January 2, 2006–Present | Democrat |