Jim Stork

Jim Stork (born November 3, 1966) is an American businessman and politician from Florida.

Stork was born in Gainesville, Florida and grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and moved to New York City, where he became a salesman for Campbell Laboratories. Stork successfully landed Campbell's flagship product, the Herpecin cold sore remedy, on the shelves of Wal-Mart, which won him a promotion to chief operating officer. He briefly became president of the company in 1995 following the death of its founder; the company was then liquidated in keeping with the founder's will.

Stork then moved to Wilton Manors, Florida; where he opened Stork's Cafe and Bakery. The restaurant became popular after its opening in 1997, and Stork became a popular figure in the city's large gay community. He was elected mayor of Wilton Manors in 2002, succeeding John Fiore.[1] Wilton Manors thus became the first city in the United States to elect two consecutive openly gay mayors.

Stork became romantic partners with Ronald Ansin, a well-known Bostonian philanthropist, Democratic fundraiser, and brother of billionaire Edmund Ansin in 2002. The couple is very well known nationwide for their support of various social and political causes.

Stork announced his candidacy for Congress in 2004, running as the Democratic nominee against seven-term incumbent Clay Shaw. Stork raised more than $1 million from over 9000 contributors, and was poised to give Shaw only his third credible challenge ever. However, Stork was forced to drop out of the race in August 2004 due to a problematic heart condition.

References

  1. ↑ Newest Gay Mecca Is Less of Key West, More of Mayberry. New York Times. May 15, 2004. Accessed July 19, 2008

External links

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