Daniel Rickenmann (born 1969/1970)[1] is an American businessman and politician, serving as the Mayor of Columbia, South Carolina.
Daniel Rickenmann | |
|---|---|
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| 71st Mayor of Columbia | |
| Assumed office January 4, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Stephen K. Benjamin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1969 or 1970 (age 54–55) Spartanburg, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Laura Rickenmann |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of South Carolina (BA) |
Early life and education
editBorn in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Rickenmann is the son of immigrants from Switzerland. He attended the University of South Carolina in 1987.[2]
Political career
editCity council election
editIn 2004, Rickenmann was elected as an at-large representative for the city council of Columbia, 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
editOn November 16, 2021, Rickenmann won a runoff election against Tameika 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, succeeding Stephen 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. president Barack Obama and House Whip Jim Clyburn. Previously, Columbia has historically voted for Democratic candidates, including Joe Biden for U.S. president by nearly 40 points. Its two previous mayors, Bob Coble and Steve Benjamin were Democrats.[6] [7] Some Republicans, including Ben Shapiro and United States Senator Rick Scott of Florida, cited Rickenmann's win as part of a "red wave."[8][9]
In June 2023, Rickenmann endorsed Tim Scott in the 2024 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, 2022 from City of Columbia, South Carolina
- Fireside Chat with Mayor Daniel Rickenmann, May 11, 2023 from Bipartisan Policy Center
- Mayor Rickenmann and Congressman Jim Clyburn greet President Joe Biden, arriving on Air Force One in Lexington County, SC, July 6, 2023 on 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, 2023 on WIS (TV)
References
edit- ^ "Columbia's Rickenmann Makes His Pitch to Local Republicans". The State. September 9, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
- ^ Clay, Margaret. "New Leadership Sitting down with Mayor Daniel Rickenmann". Columbia Metropolitan. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- ^ Lomis, Connor. "Daniel Rickenmann elected Columbia's next mayor". WISTV. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- ^ "Final results in for Columbia mayor, Columbia Council at-Larg". WLTX News 19. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- ^ "Daniel Rickenmann sworn in as new mayor of Columbia". The State. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- ^ "Columbia Mayor Bob Coble drops out of Senate race". WIS-TV. October 20, 2003. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
- ^ GAYNOR, GERREN KEITH (May 13, 2023). "Meet Stephen Benjamin, the most senior Black man in the White House". The Grio. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
- ^ Miller, Andrew. "GOP defeats Obama-endorsed candidate in deep blue city that Biden won handily in 2020". Fox News. Fox. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- ^ 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. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- ^ Kinnard, Meg (June 12, 2023). "Dozens of South Carolina leaders endorse Tim Scott's presidential bid". WLTX-TV. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
- ^ "Sen. Tim Scott in Spartanburg to announce campaign endorsements". FOX Carolina. June 12, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
- ^ "Power List 2023: USC still dominant in Columbia". The Post and Courier. August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 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. Retrieved 14 May 2022.