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Andrew Ginther
Ginther in 2016
53rd Mayor of Columbus
Incumbent
Assumed office January 1, 2016
Preceded by	Michael B. Coleman
82nd President of the United States Conference of Mayors
Incumbent
Assumed office 2024
Preceded by	Hillary Schieve
President of Columbus City Council
In office January 3, 2011 – December 31, 2015
Preceded by	Michael Mentel
Succeeded by	Zach Klein
Personal details
Born	Andrew James Ginther (1975-04-27) April 27, 1975 (age 49) Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Shannon Ginther
Children	1
Education	Earlham College (BA)
Website	Official website

Andrew James Ginther (born April 27, 1975) is an American Democratic politician, the 53rd mayor of Columbus, Ohio, and the 48th person to serve in that office. He previously served as President of Columbus City Council from 2011 until 2015.

Early life and education

Ginther was born at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Ginther's mother was a social worker and his father was an attorney specializing in adoption and foster law. His family lived in Tallmadge, Ohio, later moving to a house on Charleston Avenue in the Clintonville neighborhood of Columbus. Ginther is one of three biological children of the couple, who fostered about 50 children over many years.

After graduation from Whetstone High School, Ginther attended Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana, where he earned a BA in Political Science in 1997. As part of Earlham's foreign study program, Ginther traveled to Northern Ireland to study peace and conflict resolution at the University of Ulster and Queen's College. He also taught at public schools in Belfast and Derry. Ginther served internships at the Carter Center in Atlanta, where he taught nonviolence and dispute resolution to children.

Career

Ginther served as a legislative aide to Ohio state Senator Dan Brady. He then served as coordinator of violence prevention programs for the local nonprofit organization Strategies Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE).

2001–2007: Columbus Board of Education

In 1999, Ginther ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the Columbus Board of Education. In 2000, Ginther worked for then-City Councilmember Maryellen O'Shaughnessy's congressional campaign for Ohio's 12th congressional district. He worked as the chief fundraiser during her unsuccessful run for Congress. In 2001 his second campaign was successful, and he served as a member of the school board for six years, being reelected in 2005. Ginther also worked for 10 years as community outreach coordinator for Triumph Communications, a central Ohio company providing public relations and political campaign management services.

2007–2015: Columbus City Council

In February 2007, Ginther was appointed to the Columbus City Council to fill an unexpired term after the resignation of Matt Habash. He was elected to a new term as a member of City Council in November 2007, was reelected as a member in 2009, and on January 3, 2011, was selected to replace Michael C. Mentel as Council president, becoming the youngest City Council president in the history of Columbus at age 35. In 2011 Ginther accepted a new position as vice president of Community Affairs and Outreach for nonprofit Children's Hunger Alliance. He remained City Council president through the end of 2015.

2016–present: Mayor of Columbus

Elections

In March 2015, Ginther and fellow Democrat Zach Scott, the former Franklin County, Ohio Sheriff, were selected in a primary election by Columbus voters to compete in the November 2015 general election to replace retiring Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman (D). Ginther, endorsed by Coleman, was the projected frontrunner to be elected but faced controversy over issues with Redflex Traffic Systems when an executive of the company was found guilty of bribery charges in dealings with the city of Columbus. Although Ginther was never mentioned in the court documents for participating in this, Scott used the controversy to attack his campaign. Ginther beat a previous record for fundraising and spending during his campaign by raising $3 million. In the general election on November 3, 2015, Ginther defeated Scott with 59% of the vote.

In 2019, Ginther was re-elected unopposed as mayor of Columbus. When he first submitted his bid to run, he spoke about continuing and expanding the work he had done for the city during his first term. During his State of the City address in February 2020, he announced initiatives to improve the city's Sullivant Avenue corridor in Franklinton and the Hilltop.

After Ginther announced he was running for re-election for a third term in 2023, he was soon opposed by independent Joe Motil. Ginther ran his campaign based on his accomplishments in the last two terms, while Motil based his campaign on attacking Ginther for his lack of leadership, the housing crisis, rising crime rates within the city. Ginther was re-elected defeating Motil with 64% of the vote. Ginther once again outspent his opponent but received a few thousand fewer votes in this election than his previous two. In 2024, he was elected as the 82nd president of the United States Conference of Mayors, succeeding Hillary Schieve.

2024 Cyberattack

In July 2024, the city of Columbus was the victim of a citywide cyberattack. As a result, hundreds of thousands of private citizen's information would be released on the dark web. Two separate class-action lawsuits have also been filed against the city, in order to improve security and safeguards to prevent future incidents. Since the attack, Ginther had explained that most of the stolen data was unusable. Ginther has also revealed that the city has spent $12 million on cybersecurity with plans to invest more in the future.

Budget

In November of 2024, Ginther proposed a $1.23 billion general fund budget for 2025. This budget would allow plans to improve neighborhood safety, housing, and transportation. Of the $1.23 billion, $774 million would be allocated to neighborhood safety.

Policies as Mayor

Gun Control Efforts

Columbus, Ohio had a dramatic increase in fatal shootings since the COVID pandemic in 2020. Forty-one percent of Columbus residents live within a quarter mile of a fatal shooting location, which is an increase from 28% pre-pandemic. Regarding gun violence, Ginther believes that this should be the city’s and state's top priority.  Ginther promoted more background checks and adoption of Safety Protection Orders for the city.  A couple of those orders are:

• Protections for victims of domestic violence
• Initiatives for firearms off the streets and away from minors
• Violent felonies to the nuisance code of Columbus
• Prohibited firearm sales in residential zones
• Gun violence is declared a Public Health Crisis in Columbus
• Implementation of the Real Time Crime Center and Office of Violence Prevention

In November 2022, along with other Columbus leaders, Ginther proposed new legislation addressing gun safety. The proposal included several key measures, such as banning high-capacity magazines capable of holding more than 30 rounds. It also sought to penalize unsafe gun storage practices and outlaw straw purchases of firearms. Columbus City Council reviewed and approved the legislation in December 2022.

Climate Action

In 2021, Mayor Andrew Ginther and the City of Columbus released a Climate Action Plan designed to address environmental challenges and reduce the city’s carbon footprint. The plan set two major goals: cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by the year 2030 and achieving full carbon neutrality by 2050. To accomplish these objectives, the plan outlined several strategic initiatives.

One major focus was the expansion of solar power infrastructure, with a target of reaching 2 gigawatts (GW) of commercial on-site solar energy generation by 2050. Another priority was the electrification of transportation. The plan included the installation of numerous electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the city and an aim to transition 100% of personal vehicle use to electric models by 2050. Additionally, the plan included making all city-owned vehicles electric by 2030, while gradually converting medium and heavy-duty vehicles to electric power by 2050.

Administration and cabinet

Personal life

Since 2019, Ginther and his family have lived in The Knolls, a subdivision in the northwest side of Columbus.

See also

• Columbus, Ohio mayoral election, 2015
• List of mayors of the 50 largest cities in the United States

References

1. ^ Parks, Kevin (January 18, 2011). "Ginther Cites Teacher as Inspiration". ThisWeek Community News. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
2. Sullivan, Lucas; Rouan, Rick (November 3, 2015). "Ginther Defeats Scott, Will Succeed Coleman as Columbus Mayor". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
3. "Mayor Ginther' s Bio". www.columbus.gov. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
4. ^ Lucas Sullivan. "Candidate profile: Ginther grew up in atmosphere of service". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
5. "Profile: Mayor Andrew Ginther". Columbus CEO. January 16, 2017.
6. ^ "City Council Election 2011: Interview with Andrew Ginther". ColumbusUnderground.com. October 20, 2011. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
7. "City Council president: Ginther noted as problem solver". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
8. Clines, Francis X. (October 5, 2000). "THE 2000 CAMPAIGN: AN OHIO RACE; All Politics Are Local, but Look at These Stakes". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
9. Sullivan, Lucas (May 7, 2015). "Zach Scott Pins Mayoral Hopes on Bigger General-election Turnout". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
10. News, GARY SEMAN JR , ThisWeek Community. "Race for mayor topped news lists in 2015". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved December 3, 2024. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
11. Sullivan, Lucas. "Andrew Ginther keeps money advantage over Zach Scott in Columbus mayor's race". Canton Repository. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
12. Sullivan, Lucas; Rouan, Rick (November 3, 2015). "Ginther Defeats Scott, Will Succeed Coleman as Columbus Mayor". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
13. "He's Running Again: Mayor Andrew Ginther Files For Re-election". WOSU Public Media. February 4, 2019. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
14. Zachariah, Holly. "Mayor pledges aid for Sullivant Avenue corridor in wake of Dispatch series". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
15. Buchanan, Tyler (October 30, 2023). "Ginther, Motil face off in Columbus mayoral race". Axios. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
16. "Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther re-elected to third term". WOSU Public Media. November 7, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
17. Bush, Bill. "Ginther wins big over Motil to remain Columbus mayor, says growth policies to continue". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
18. "Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther Elected New President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Policy Agenda Adopted for the Year Ahead". United States Conference of Mayors. July 2, 2019. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
19. "Personal data of thousands of private citizens now on dark web after Columbus cyberattack, expert says". 10tv.com. August 13, 2024. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
20. Williams, Kevin (September 15, 2024). "Dark web researcher warned Columbus, Ohio, residents ransomware attack was bigger than mayor said. The city is suing him". CNBC. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
21. "Columbus mayor: No employees have been put at risk based on cyberattack". 10tv.com. August 13, 2024. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
22. "Ginther says critical systems are restored months after cyberattack on Columbus". 10tv.com. October 23, 2024. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
23. "Mayor Ginther Releases $1.23 Billion 2025 General Fund Budget Proposal". www.columbus.gov. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
24. Staff, WSYX (November 13, 2024). "Mayor Ginther proposes $1.23 billion budget focusing on neighborhood safety". WSYX. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
25. "City of Columbus, Ohio". www.columbus.gov. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
26. Dewan, Shaila; Gebeloff, Robert (May 20, 2024). "How Gun Violence Spread Across One American City".
27. "Issues – Ginther for Columbus". andrewginther.com. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
28. "Columbus leaders put forward new gun control measures". WOSU Public Media. November 9, 2022. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
29. "Columbus City Council approves new gun rules". WOSU Public Media. December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
30. "Smart Columbus". Smart Columbus. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
31. "Columbus climate change plan aims for carbon neutral city by 2050". NBC4 WCMH-TV. December 9, 2021. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
32. Kurtzman, Lori; Zachariah, Holly (November 26, 2015). "Government Insider: Ginther Begins Assembling His Cabinet". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
33. Sullivan, Lucas (December 29, 2015). "Ginther to Tour Columbus Neighborhoods as Mayor". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
34. "Mayor Ginther Appoints Sam Orth III as Director of Technology". www.columbus.gov. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
35. "Retired Fire Chief Ned Pettus named Columbus safety director". Columbus Dispatch. July 14, 2016. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
36. "Cabinet". www.columbus.gov. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
37. "Cabinet". www.columbus.gov. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
38. Burger, Beth. "Protesters stage demonstration in front of Mayor Ginther's house". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved September 26, 2020.

External links

• Mayor's Office, City of Columbus Web site
• Ginther's campaign website
• Appearances on C-SPAN

v t e Mayors of Columbus, Ohio
Jarvis W. Pike John Kerr Eli C. King John Laughrey William T. Martin James Robinson William Long Philo H. Olmsted John Brooks John Bailhache Warren Jenkins Philo H. Olmsted John G. Miller Thomas Wood Abram I. McDowell Smithson E. Wright Alexander Patton Augustus S. Decker Alexander Patton Lorenzo English Wray Thomas James G. Bull George W. Meeker James G. Bull John H. Heitmann Gilbert G. Collins George S. Peters Charles C. Walcutt Philip H. Bruck George J. Karb Cotton H. Allen Samuel L. Black Samuel J. Swartz John N. Hinkle Robert H. Jeffrey De Witt C. Badger Charles A. Bond George S. Marshall George J. Karb James J. Thomas Henry W. Worley Myron B. Gessaman Floyd F. Green Jim A. Rhodes Robert T. Oestreicher Jack Sensenbrenner Ralston Westlake Jack Sensenbrenner Tom Moody Buck Rinehart Greg Lashutka Michael B. Coleman Andrew Ginther

• 1975 births
• 21st-century mayors of places in Ohio
• Columbus City Council members
• Earlham College alumni
• Living people
• Mayors of Columbus, Ohio
• Ohio Democrats
• Politicians from Columbus, Ohio
• School board members in Ohio
• Presidents of the United States Conference of Mayors