John B. Callahan

John B. Callahan
Mayor of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania
In office
January 5, 2004 – January 7, 2014
Preceded by James Delgrosso
Succeeded by Robert Donchez
Personal details
Born September 1969 (age 45)
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Mafalda Callahan
Children Sarah Callahan
Evan Callahan
John Callahan
Residence Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Alma mater Moravian College (B.S.)
Occupation Senior Institutional Healthcare Consultant
Religion Catholic
Website Callahan For Congress

John B. Callahan (born September 20, 1969)[1] was the 11th Mayor of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He was the Democratic nominee in an unsuccessful 2010 bid for United States Representative for Pennsylvania's 15th congressional district.

Early life, education and career

Callahan grew up in Bethlehem. He graduated cum laude with a B.S. in Biology from Moravian College. After graduation, Callahan worked for Pfizer Inc. for 13 years as a Senior Institutional Healthcare Consultant.

He is a graduate of the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government Executive Program on Leadership in the 21st Century, and the Transition and Leadership for New Elected Mayors Program. The United States Conference of Mayors later invited Callahan back to the Kennedy School to speak about transitioning from political campaigning to governing.[2]

Bethlehem City Council

Callahan served on the Bethlehem city council from 1998 to 2004; at the time of his election in 1998, he was the youngest ever Bethlehem councilman. As a member of the city council, Callahan chaired the Finance Committee and the Public Works Committee.[2]

Mayor of Bethlehem

Callahan defeated incumbent Bethlehem Mayor James Delgrosso in the 2003 Democratic mayoral primary election.[3] He was elected mayor in November 2003 general election, taking over 60% of the popular vote and winning every ward in the city. He was inaugurated on January 5, 2004 for a two-year term. Callahan was re-elected in the 2005 primary elections and ran unopposed in the general election. He was sworn in for his first four-year term on January 3, 2006, and was re-elected in 2009.[2]

2010 U.S. Congressional campaign

2010 Congressional campaign logo

Callahan announced his intention to challenge incumbent Charlie Dent for Pennsylvania's 15th congressional district on July 27, 2009.[4] Independent Jake Towne also ran. Callahan lost the race, earning 39 percent of the votes compared to Dent's 54 percent.[5]

2013 Northampton County Executive campaign

Callahan announced his candidacy for Northampton County Executive on February 6, 2013, after sitting Executive John Stoffa announced his lack of desire to seek reelection. He won the Democratic primary with over 50% of the vote, which was be held on the 21st of May.[6] He lost the election to the Republican candidate; Bangor, Pennsylvania Mayor John Brown, with 47% of the vote to Brown's 52%. The results were seen as an upset due to Callahan's higher fundraising and better name recognition.[7]

Personal life

Callahan has three children with his wife Mafalda; the family resides in Northeast Bethlehem.[2]

Callahan serves on the Board of Directors for Lehigh Valley Industrial Park, Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation, and the Minsi Trails Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Callahan also chairs the Urban Scouting Program in Bethlehem, and is a member of the Bethlehem Rotary Club.[2]

References

  1. ↑ U.S. Public Records Index Vol 1 (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), 2010.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "City of Bethlehem - Mayor's Biography - John B. Callahan". Retrieved 2007-04-23.
  3. ↑ Olanoff, Lynn (2009-10-09). "James Delgrosso, former interim Bethlehem mayor and longtime councilman, remembered for Bethlehem Steel rezoning, fiscal responsibility". The Express-Times. Retrieved 2013-07-19.
  4. ↑ Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan Announces Congressional Campaign in Pennsylvania’s 15th District, PA2010.com, July 27, 2009
  5. ↑ Radzievich, Nicole; Darragh, Tim; Clark, Adam (November 3, 2010). "Dent re-elected in 15th: Dent wins handily against Callahan in 15th District". The Morning Call. Retrieved November 3, 2010.
  6. ↑ Olanoff, Lynn. "John Callahan declares bid for Northampton County executive at Gracedale". The Express-Times. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  7. ↑ Writers, Three (5 November 2013). "In Northampton County executive race, Brown beats Callahan". The Morning Call. Retrieved 27 December 2013.

External links