Justin Nickels

Justin M. Nickels
27th Mayor of Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Incumbent
Assumed office
April 21, 2009
Preceded by Kevin M. Crawford (1989-2009)
Personal details
Born January 9, 1987
Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Political party Democrat
Spouse(s) Not Married
Children None
Religion WELS Lutheran
Website www.justinnickels.com

Justin Michael Nickels (born January 9, 1987) is an American politician. On April 7, 2009, he was elected the 27th mayor of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, the youngest full-time mayor in the country at the time. He took office April 21, 2009, and was re-elected on April 2, 2013.

Early life

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 where he served as student body president,[2] and then attended the University of Wisconsin–Manitowoc until 2008, where he served as student senate president.[3]

Political career

Mayor

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 15 votes, succeeding Kevin Crawford, who had not sought re-election.[4] Soeldner requested a recount, which increased Nickels' lead to 17 votes, 4,722 to 4,705.[5] Nickels became the youngest full-time mayor elected in Wisconsin and one of the youngest mayors in the United States.[6]

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.[7] The city council passed the budget in December by a 9-1 vote.

Nickels was re-elected to a second term April 2, 2013. He defeated Manitowoc businessman Tony Burgarino with 83.6% of the vote.[8]

References

  1. ↑ Herald Times Reporter, April 5, 2011.
  2. ↑ http://www.htrnews.com/article/20100108/MAN03/1080489/
  3. ↑ http://www.htrnews.com/article/20100108/MAN03/1080489/
  4. ↑ Clarke, Helen. "Soeldner calls for recount in Manitowoc mayoral election". Herald Times Reporter. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
  5. ↑ Herald Times Reporter, Dec. 29, 2009.
  6. ↑ "Thank You, Manitowoc!". Friends of Justin Nickels. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
  7. ↑ City Budget
  8. ↑ Mathews, Charlie (4/2/2013). "Nickels wins 2nd term as Manitowoc mayor". Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter. Retrieved 2013-04-04. Check date values in: |date= (help)

External links