John Rousakis
Encyclopedia
John P. Rousakis was a politician from Georgia
, USA and was the first Greek-American to become Mayor of Savannah. He was a Democrat
.
on January 14, 1929 and was a member of St. Paul's Greek Orthodox Church. Prior to entering politics, he made career as a basketball player and as an insurance agent.
He ran for Mayor of Savannah in 1970. He won the Democratic nomination and defeated one-term incumbent
and Republican
nominee Julius Curtis Lewis, Jr.
with 55% of the vote.
He won re-election in 1974, 1978, 1982 and 1986.
His fifth term was extended by a year by the Georgia General Assembly
, but Rousakis was defeated by Republican contestant Susan Weiner
in 1991 with 46% of the vote.
He attempted a political comeback in 1995, but finished third with only 23% of the vote.
In 1976, he played the role of a hotel clerk in a scene in the movie "Gator."
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, USA and was the first Greek-American to become Mayor of Savannah. He was a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
.
Background
He was born in Savannah, GeorgiaSavannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
on January 14, 1929 and was a member of St. Paul's Greek Orthodox Church. Prior to entering politics, he made career as a basketball player and as an insurance agent.
Electoral history
Rousakis was elected to the Chatham County Commission in 1965 and eventually became Vice-Chairperson of that institution.He ran for Mayor of Savannah in 1970. He won the Democratic nomination and defeated one-term incumbent
Incumbent
The incumbent, in politics, is the existing holder of a political office. This term is usually used in reference to elections, in which races can often be defined as being between an incumbent and non-incumbent. For example, in the 2004 United States presidential election, George W...
and Republican
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...
nominee Julius Curtis Lewis, Jr.
Julius Curtis Lewis, Jr.
Julius Curtis Lewis, Jr. was an American businessman, philanthropist and Chairman of J.C. Lewis Enterprises, Lewis Broadcasting Corporation, J.C. Lewis Investment Company, and Island Investments...
with 55% of the vote.
He won re-election in 1974, 1978, 1982 and 1986.
His fifth term was extended by a year by the Georgia General Assembly
Georgia General Assembly
The Georgia General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is bicameral, being composed of the Georgia House of Representatives and the Georgia Senate....
, but Rousakis was defeated by Republican contestant Susan Weiner
Susan Weiner
Susan Weiner is a politician from Georgia, USA and was the first woman to become Mayor of Savannah. She is a Republican.-Background:She is Jewish, was born in Albany, New York, and moved to Savannah in the mid-1980s.-Political career:...
in 1991 with 46% of the vote.
He attempted a political comeback in 1995, but finished third with only 23% of the vote.
His Achievements
Under Rousakis' mayorship, River Street was revitalized, the police department and public work activities were modernized and the unpolluting of the Savannah River was undertaken. However, the situation of public housing worsened and the local crime and murder rates increased.In 1976, he played the role of a hotel clerk in a scene in the movie "Gator."