by James Welfley
June 11, 2001

See the full listing of spring 2001 election results online at usmayors.org/elections

Los Angeles

Democrat James Hahn will be sworn in July 1 as the new mayor of Los Angeles after defeating former Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa in a June 5 runoff election for mayor. With a diverse support base of African Americans in Central and South L.A., Crenshaw, and Watts and moderate to conservative voters concentrated in the San Fernando Valley, Hahn outdistanced Villaraigosa 53.5 - 46.5 percent. Villaraigosa was vying to become the city's first Latino mayor since 1872.

As the city's top attorney for 16 years, Hahn has received praise from many - including former Secretary of State Warren Christopher - for his role in reforming the Los Angeles police department. Hahn has served Los Angeles since winning his first election in 1981 for city controller and follows his family's legacy. His father, Kenneth Hahn, was a popular Los Angeles politician who served as county supervisor for a record 40 years. The county administration building bears his name. Janice Hahn, his sister, is a newly elected member of City Council. Hahn vowed to focus immediately on strengthening the Los Angeles Police Department and increasing the number of after-school programs at the city's elementary schools.

"It's a one-two combination punch I think is the right way to look at public safety," he said. "I've always said throughout the campaign that public safety is job one in government. . . . It's what I believe in and it's what I'm most knowledgeable in." Republican Mayor Richard Riordan, who supported Villaraigosa for mayor, promised a smooth transition and vowed to consult with the mayor-elect on major policy decisions during his final three weeks in office. "I desperately want Mayor Hahn to succeed," Riordan said. "To me, it's part of my job."

At the request of President Bush, outgoing Mayor Riordan is now contemplating a bid for governor in 2002. Riordan's eight-year tenure as mayor comes to an end because of term limits.

Omaha

In a closely contested race Democrat Mike Fahey narrowly defeated Republican Hal Daub 50.5 - 49.5 percent to become the next mayor of Omaha. Fahey, who will be sworn in June 11, has vowed to bring "a business approach to the management of city services." Fahey is the former president of a title insurance agency, has served on the Omaha City Planning Board and currently sits on the Board of Directors for TTI Technologies and E-Sales Tax.com.

I want to congratulate Mayor Daub on his year's of service to the people of Omaha," said Fahey. "I look forward to continuing the city's on-going projects while adding a fresh focus to building stronger neighborhoods."

At his concession speech, Daub, who served as mayor since 1995, cited riverfront development, an upgraded city master plan, downtown redevelopment, the cleanup of a lead refinery and improvements to city libraries and swimming pools as important accomplishments during his administration.

A former U.S. Congressman, Daub was a member of the Conference Advisory Board and was president of Republican Mayors and Local Officials.

Jersey City

Glenn Cunningham, a former U.S. marshal and City Council president, became Jersey City's first African-American chief executive when he defeated current council President Tom DeGise, 53 percent to 47 percent, in the mayoral runoff with all but one district reporting.

Cunningham acknowledged the historical significance of becoming Jersey City's first African-American mayor, but stressed that he received support from a number of the city's various ethnic groups.

"I think I've broken a barrier," Cunningham said. "Having the first African-American mayor is a historical footnote, but what makes a difference to people is having a mayor who cares about their neighborhoods."

Mayor-Elect Cunningham will take office July 1.

Jackson

Jackson (MI) incumbent Democratic Mayor Harvey Johnson, Jr. defeated C. Daryl Neely 61 - 39 percent. The contest marked the first time two black candidates, each representing a major political party, faced off in the general election. Neely was vying to become Jackson's first black Republican mayor. Johnson said the win felt different from his 1997 upset of then-incumbent Kane Ditto. He went on to defeat GOP challenger Charlotte Reeves to become the city's first African-American mayor.

"I don't know if it's more special or not, but it's certainly more appreciated because I realize how difficult it is for the incumbent," Johnson said. "You have to run a race and run the city at the same time. That's difficult to do."

North Miami

An historic swearing-in took place in North Miami when Josaphat Celestin became the first Haitian-American mayor in the city's 75-year history. "After today I will put aside ethnic and racial divisions in our city," Celestin told the capacity audience at the ceremony, many of whom were waving red and blue Haitian flags. "Today is great day in the entire United States."

Outgoing mayor Frank Wolland, who did not run again but defeated Mayor Celestin in the 1999 mayoral election, was pleased with the voter turnout. "Participation is what empowerment is all about."