Linda D. Thompson
Encyclopedia
Linda D. Thompson is the current mayor of Harrisburg
, Pennsylvania
. She assumed office on January 4, 2010. Thompson is Harrisburg's first female and first black mayor.
in Washington, DC where she received a B.S.
in Communications. While in Washington, Thompson interned at the United States Department of Justice
.
. She was re-elected and appointed President of City Council in 2005. While on council, Thompson introduced legislation to sell off city owned Western artifacts in order to raise money to pay down debts. She also amended the 2009 budget to include $100,000 to pay for a city wide bulk trash pick-up. Thompson decided not to run for re-election in 2009 and instead ran for the Democratic nomination for Mayor. In the May primary, Thompson beat former mayor Stephen R. Reed
by nearly 1,000 votes to win the election. Despite her upset win in the Democratic primary, Thompson went on to win the general election by only about 800 votes against Republican
challenger Nevin Mindlin.
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 49,528, making it the ninth largest city in Pennsylvania...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. She assumed office on January 4, 2010. Thompson is Harrisburg's first female and first black mayor.
Early life
Born and raised in Harrisburg, Thompson graduated from Harrisburg High School in 1979. She went on to attend Howard UniversityHoward University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
in Washington, DC where she received a B.S.
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in Communications. While in Washington, Thompson interned at the United States Department of Justice
United States Department of Justice
The United States Department of Justice , is the United States federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice, equivalent to the justice or interior ministries of other countries.The Department is led by the Attorney General, who is nominated...
.
Political career
In 2001, Thompson was elected to serve on the Harrisburg City CouncilHarrisburg City Council
The Harrisburg City Council, is the legislative branch of the city government of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and consists of seven members elected at-large. The council president is elected by the members and presides over the Council meetings. In the event of illness or absence of the President, the...
. She was re-elected and appointed President of City Council in 2005. While on council, Thompson introduced legislation to sell off city owned Western artifacts in order to raise money to pay down debts. She also amended the 2009 budget to include $100,000 to pay for a city wide bulk trash pick-up. Thompson decided not to run for re-election in 2009 and instead ran for the Democratic nomination for Mayor. In the May primary, Thompson beat former mayor Stephen R. Reed
Stephen R. Reed
Stephen Russell Reed is the former and longest-serving mayor of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He moved to Harrisburg with his parents as a boy.- Biography :...
by nearly 1,000 votes to win the election. Despite her upset win in the Democratic primary, Thompson went on to win the general election by only about 800 votes against 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...
challenger Nevin Mindlin.