| Justin M. Nickels | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of the City of Manitowoc | |
| 27th Mayor of Manitowoc, Wisconsin | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office April 21, 2009 |
|
| Preceded by | Kevin Crawford |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 9, 1987 Manitowoc, Wisconsin |
| Political party | Democrat |
| Religion | Lutheran |
| Website | www.justinnickels.com |
Justin Michael Nickels (born January 9, 1987) is an American politician. On April 7, 2009 Nickels was elected the 27th mayor of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, succeeding Kevin Crawford, who had not sought re-election. He was sworn into office on April 21, 2009. He was elected the youngest full-time Mayor in the country.
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Born in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, Nickels said his parents named him after Justin Hayward, vocalist and lead guitarist of the Moody Blues.[1] He graduated from Manitowoc Lutheran High School in 2005 and then attended the University of Wisconsin–Manitowoc until 2008. He is working towards a degree in public administration at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.
Before becoming mayor, Nickels worked as a grocery clerk and a high school basketball referee. He is a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Manitowoc, the local Habitat for Humanity board of directors, Manitowoc Noon Rotary, Manitowoc SAIL and Jaycees, in 2010 he became a big for Big Brothers Big Sisters, Manitowoc Optimists.
Nickels is single and lives in Manitowoc. His parents are David and Patricia Nickels. He has one sister, Jennifer, who is a physical education teacher at Wilson Jr. High School and is married to Brock Wetenkamp.
Nickels was elected to represent Manitowoc's second aldermanic district in April 2005 at the age of 18, defeating a 16-year incumbent, with 58% of the popular vote. He served two terms on the council, being re-elected in April 2007. He was elected Common Council president in 2007 by his fellow aldermen and served on the Finance, Personnel (Chair), Parks and Recreation, and Public Property and Safety committees.
Nickels finished first out of five candidates for mayor of Manitowoc in the February 17, 2009 primary election. He won the general election against Dave Soeldner on April 7, 2009 by only 15 votes.[2] Soeldner requested a recount, which increased Nickels' lead to 17 votes, 4,722 to 4,705.[3] Soeldner conceded the election. Nickels became the youngest full-time mayor ever elected in Wisconsin and one of the youngest mayors in the United States.[4]
When Nickels crafted his first budget and presented it to the city council in late 2009, he included many of his campaign promises, including no tax increase. The budget paid off more debt than it incurred. It did not reduce any services or lay off any employees.[5] The city council passed the budget in December by a 9-1 vote.