COLUMBUS, Ohio – The longest-serving mayor in Columbus history says he won’t seek reelection to a fifth term next year.
Michael Coleman says he will spend his time instead on unfinished business and the city’s bid to host the Democratic Party’s presidential nominating convention in 2016.
“I am eternally grateful to the people of Columbus for electing me to the best job in the world. Together we have faced the very challenges that have overwhelmed cities around the country, and we have not only met those challenges, but we have harnessed that momentum to take ourselves to the next level,” Coleman said in a release announcing his plans Tuesday.
Coleman, a Democrat, said he hasn’t thought about his political future and would not answer questions about whether he would run for U.S. Senate in two years. He ran a short-lived campaign for governor in 2006.
The city’s first African-American mayor, Coleman said his recent 60th birthday influenced his decision not to seek re-election next year.
Coleman was first elected in 1999. He is also the longest-serving incumbent black mayor among major U.S. cities.
During his tenure, he is credited with helping to win approval for an income-tax increase just as the recession began to impact Ohioans, staving off potentially deep budget cuts. He also oversaw the implementation of free citywide curbside recycling and with making strides in neighborhood revitalization and government spending reforms.
“Because of his investment in public safety, we live in the safest big city in America…[we] are the only City in Ohio that continues to grow. Because of his sound financial decisions, we have a balanced budget and the best credit rating possible,” said Columbus City Council president Andrew Ginther in a statement issued after Coleman’s announcement.
“When forced to choose between laying off police and fire fighters, or raising the income tax, Mayor Coleman helped convince the community that paying a little more now would secure a better future,” Ginther said.
Coleman was honored last week among the Ebony Power 100, Ebony’s list of the most influential and intriguing African Americans.