Daniel Rickenmann
Daniel Rickenmann | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 71stMayor of Columbia | |
| Assumed office January 4, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Stephen K. Benjamin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1969 or 1970 (age 53–54) Spartanburg, South Carolina,U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Laura Rickenmann |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of South Carolina(BA) |
Daniel Rickenmann(born 1969/1970)[1]is an American businessman and politician, serving as theMayorofColumbia, South Carolina.
Early life and education
[edit]Born inSpartanburg, South Carolina,Rickenmann is the son of immigrants fromSwitzerland.He attended theUniversity of South Carolinain 1987.[2]
Political career
[edit]City council election
[edit]In 2004, Rickenmann was elected as an at-large representative for the city council ofColumbia, South Carolina.He held the position until 2013 when he chose not to run for reelection. He ran again for city council in 2017, winning the election as a representative from Columbia's fourth district.[3]
Mayoral election
[edit]On November 16,2021,Rickenmann won a runoff election againstTameika Isaac Devine,a councilwoman for the city of Columbia. Rickenman won 52% of the vote to Devine's 48%.[4]He was sworn in as mayor of Columbia on January 4, 2022, succeedingStephen K. Benjamin,who did not seek reelection.[5]
While candidates for the office of mayor in Columbia, South Carolina are officially non-partisan, Rickenmann is a Republican. Conversely, his opponent in the 2021 election, Tameika Isaac Devine, is a Democrat. Devine was endorsed by former U.S. presidentBarack ObamaandHouse WhipJim Clyburn.Previously, Columbia has historically voted for Democratic candidates, includingJoe Bidenfor U.S. president by nearly 40 points. Its two previous mayors,Bob CobleandSteve Benjaminwere Democrats.[6][7]Some Republicans, includingBen ShapiroandUnited States SenatorRick ScottofFlorida,cited Rickenmann's win as part of a "red wave."[8][9]
In June 2023, Rickenmann endorsedTim Scottin the2024 United States presidential election.[10][11]
Rickenmann ranked Number 2 in the Post and Courier Columbia Power List 2023.[12]
Electoral history
[edit]| Runoff election for Mayor of Columbia, 2021[a][13] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Daniel Rickenmann | 10,606 | 52 | |
| Tameika Isaac Devine | 9,789 | 48 | |
| Total | 20,395 | 100% | |
| Election for Mayor of Columbia, 2021[14] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Daniel Rickenmann | 8,417 | 43.51 | |
| Tameika Isaac Devine | 5,846 | 30.22 | |
| Sam Johnson | 4,710 | 24.35 | |
| Moe Baddourah | 364 | 1.88 | |
| Write-in | 9 | 0.05 | |
| Total | 19,346 | 100% | |
Notes
[edit]- ^Rickenmann and Devine went to a runoff election since no candidate won more than 50% of the vote in the initial election.
External links
[edit]- Mayor's Inauguration and Swearing In Ceremony, January 4, 2022from City ofColumbia, South Carolina
- Fireside Chat with Mayor Daniel Rickenmann, May 11, 2023fromBipartisan Policy Center
- Mayor Rickenmann and Congressman Jim Clyburn greet President Joe Biden, arriving on Air Force One in Lexington County, SC, July 6, 2023on WLTX
- Mayor Rickenmann and Congressman Jim Clyburn greet President Joe Biden, visiting West Columbia to highlight new manufacturing partnership in Lexington County, SC, July 6, 2023onWIS (TV)
References
[edit]- ^"Columbia's Rickenmann Makes His Pitch to Local Republicans".The State.September 9, 2021.RetrievedAugust 5,2022.
- ^Clay, Margaret."New Leadership Sitting down with Mayor Daniel Rickenmann".Columbia Metropolitan.Retrieved14 May2022.
- ^Lomis, Connor."Daniel Rickenmann elected Columbia's next mayor".WISTV.Retrieved14 May2022.
- ^"Final results in for Columbia mayor, Columbia Council at-Larg".WLTX News 19.Retrieved14 May2022.
- ^"Daniel Rickenmann sworn in as new mayor of Columbia".The State.Retrieved14 May2022.
- ^"Columbia Mayor Bob Coble drops out of Senate race".WIS-TV.October 20, 2003.RetrievedMarch 2,2024.
- ^GAYNOR, GERREN KEITH (May 13, 2023)."Meet Stephen Benjamin, the most senior Black man in the White House".The Grio.RetrievedMarch 2,2024.
- ^Miller, Andrew."GOP defeats Obama-endorsed candidate in deep blue city that Biden won handily in 2020".Fox News.Fox.Retrieved14 May2022.
- ^Fastenau, Stephen."As Republicans laud Rickenmann's Columbia mayor win, many downplay impact on city politics".The Post and Courier Columbia.The Post and Courier.Retrieved14 May2022.
- ^Kinnard, Meg (June 12, 2023)."Dozens of South Carolina leaders endorse Tim Scott's presidential bid".WLTX-TV.RetrievedAugust 22,2023.
- ^"Sen. Tim Scott in Spartanburg to announce campaign endorsements".FOX Carolina.June 12, 2023.RetrievedAugust 22,2023.
- ^"Power List 2023: USC still dominant in Columbia".The Post and Courier.August 2, 2023.RetrievedAugust 22,2023.
- ^"2021 Municipal Election Day - Runoff Election Night Reporting".SC Votes.State of South Carolina.
- ^"2021 Municipal Election Day Election Night Reporting".SC Votes.State of South Carolina.Retrieved14 May2022.