James Hutchison (American politician)
Encyclopedia
James L. "Hutch" Hutchison Sr. (born ?) is an American
politician
. Hutchison served as the first full-time Mayor
of Dover, Delaware
, from 1994 to 2004. Hutchison is a member of the Republican Party
. However, Dover's mayoral office is officially nonpartisan
.
Hutchison, a native of Dover, graduated from Dover High School
in 1961. He received an associate's degree
in criminal justice
from Delaware Technical & Community College
in 1987.
Hutchison served as the police chief of Dover prior to entering politics. He held Dover's at-large city council
seat from 1993 to 1994.
In 1994, Hutchison was elected Dover's first full-time mayor. He retired from office on May 10, 2004, when he was succeeded by Stephen Speed.
Hutchinson ran for the Delaware Senate
in the 17th District in 2008, but lost the election to Democrat Brian Bushweller
.
Hutchison announced his candidacy for an open seat in the Dover City Council in January 2011. He ran for the open 1st city council district seat, which was being vacated by retiring City Council President Ken Hogan. Hutchison won the seat in the Dover municipal election held on April 19, 2011, defeating Holly Malone.
In August 2011, Hutchison proposed lengthening the terms for the Mayor and city council members from the current two-year term to four-years in office. Hutchison argued that the current election system, in which Dover's candidates must seek re-election every two years, is too expensive, costing the city approximately $10,000 per election. He told council that his proposal would save the city money and promote increased leadership among Dover's elected officials. Under his proposal, if enacted, the new four-year terms would be gradually phased in over a two year period.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. Hutchison served as the first full-time Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Dover, Delaware
Dover, Delaware
The city of Dover is the capital and second largest city in the U.S. state of Delaware. It is also the county seat of Kent County, and the principal city of the Dover, Delaware Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Kent County. It is located on the St. Jones River in the Delaware...
, from 1994 to 2004. Hutchison is a member of the Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
. However, Dover's mayoral office is officially nonpartisan
Nonpartisan
In political science, nonpartisan denotes an election, event, organization or person in which there is no formally declared association with a political party affiliation....
.
Hutchison, a native of Dover, graduated from Dover High School
Dover High School (Delaware)
Dover High School is a notable high school located in Dover, Delaware.-Administration:Dover High School has a principal, Eugene Montaño, and assistant principals Courtney Cooper, Tiff McCullough, and Kevin Turner....
in 1961. He received an associate's degree
Associate's degree
An associate degree is an undergraduate academic degree awarded by community colleges, junior colleges, technical colleges, and bachelor's degree-granting colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study usually lasting two years...
in criminal justice
Criminal justice
Criminal Justice is the system of practices and institutions of governments directed at upholding social control, deterring and mitigating crime, or sanctioning those who violate laws with criminal penalties and rehabilitation efforts...
from Delaware Technical & Community College
Delaware Technical & Community College
Delaware Technical & Community College is the community college system in the state of Delaware with locations in four cities. It was created by the Delaware General Assembly in 1966 by House Bill 529. The college is fully accredited and several curricula have been accredited by various...
in 1987.
Hutchison served as the police chief of Dover prior to entering politics. He held Dover's at-large city council
City council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
seat from 1993 to 1994.
In 1994, Hutchison was elected Dover's first full-time mayor. He retired from office on May 10, 2004, when he was succeeded by Stephen Speed.
Hutchinson ran for the Delaware Senate
Delaware Senate
The Delaware Senate is the upper house of the Delaware General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. State of Delaware. It is composed of 21 Senators, each of whom is elected to a four-year term, except when reapportionment occurs, at which time Senators may be elected to a two-year term....
in the 17th District in 2008, but lost the election to Democrat Brian Bushweller
Brian Bushweller
Brian J. Bushweller is a Delaware State Senator for the 17th District.Raised in New York, Bushweller received an A.A. in Liberal Arts from Ulster County Community College, a B.A. in Music from Oklahoma City University, an A.M. in Education from Stanford University in 1970, and an M.A...
.
Hutchison announced his candidacy for an open seat in the Dover City Council in January 2011. He ran for the open 1st city council district seat, which was being vacated by retiring City Council President Ken Hogan. Hutchison won the seat in the Dover municipal election held on April 19, 2011, defeating Holly Malone.
In August 2011, Hutchison proposed lengthening the terms for the Mayor and city council members from the current two-year term to four-years in office. Hutchison argued that the current election system, in which Dover's candidates must seek re-election every two years, is too expensive, costing the city approximately $10,000 per election. He told council that his proposal would save the city money and promote increased leadership among Dover's elected officials. Under his proposal, if enacted, the new four-year terms would be gradually phased in over a two year period.