Jack Seiler

Jack Seiler
41st Mayor of Fort Lauderdale
In office
March 17, 2009 – March 20, 2018
Preceded by Jim Naugle
Succeeded by Dean Trantalis
Member of the Florida House of Representatives
from the 92nd district
In office
January 2001 – January 2009
Preceded by Tracy Stafford
Succeeded by Gwyndolen Clarke-Reed
Mayor of Wilton Manors
In office
1998–2000
Preceded by King Wilkinson[1]
Succeeded by John Fiore
Personal details
Born (1963-05-27) May 27, 1963
Fort Collins, Colorado, U.S.
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Susan Rimes
Children Marianna
Jacqueline
Preston
Susanne
Alma mater University of Notre Dame
University of Miami
Occupation Attorney[2]

John P. Seiler (born May 27, 1963) is an American politician and 41st Mayor of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Prior to this he was a Democratic member of the Florida House of Representatives, from 2000 to 2008 representing District 92 which is located in Broward County, Florida.[3][4]

Political career

Wilton Manors

Seiler moved to Wilton Manors, Florida, around 1988.[2] Seiler served as city council member and then vice mayor of Wilton Manors from 1993 to 1998.[3] In 1998, Seiler was elected mayor of Wilton Manors, defeating incumbent King Wilkinson who had been accused of making homophobic comments.[1]

Fort Lauderdale

Seiler was a candidate to succeed term-limited[5] Jim Naugle in the 2009 mayoral election for Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He was elected February 10, 2009, winning against three opponents with more than 57 percent of the vote,[6] avoiding a run-off election.[7] Analysis of the race suggests Seiler won because of high name recognition and strong fundraising[5] that exceeded $250,000.[8] Seiler was sworn in March 17, 2009.[9]

On January 31, 2012, Seiler was reelected with 75% of the vote in a three-way race.[10]

Homeless initiatives

In November 2014, Seiler received nationwide attention;[11] reports that Arnold Abbott, a 90-year-old World War II veteran had been arrested for feeding the homeless in public, in Fort Lauderdale went viral. The New York Times reports that "Fort Lauderdale, despite a reputation for being more progressive than most Florida cities on homelessness, passed a series of measures that surprised and drew the ire of homeless activists." The measure further restricting food distribution in public places but loosened restrictions on feeding in private or religious buildings. Other new measures tightened restrictions on panhandling, having property and sleeping in public, but the Mayor says his city is not harsh on homeless people, reported the Times. While video available on YouTube shows Arnold Abbott and ministers being taken away in police custody, the Mayor states that Mr Arnold had not been arrested, but rather was detained, cited, and ordered to appear in court.[12][13] Those cited face possible jail time and have taken the city to court to fight the ordinance.[14]

References

  1. 1 2 James, Meg; Bousquet, Steve. "Time for a Change, Voters Say". The Miami Herald. March 12, 1998.
  2. 1 2 Heit, Jennifer. "Lawyer, 29, Gets Manors Council Seat". Sun Sentinel. April 18, 1993.
  3. 1 2 "Rep. John P. "Jack" Seiler". Florida House of Representatives. Retrieved 2009-02-11.
  4. ↑ Lyons, Doug (2007-07-02). "Who will succeed Jack Seiler?". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved 2009-02-11. ("Next year will be state Rep. Jack Seiler's last year in the Florida House ...")
  5. 1 2 Sherman, Amy (2009-02-11). "Jack Seiler wins race for Fort Lauderdale mayor". The Miami Herald. Retrieved 2009-02-11.
  6. ↑ Man, Anthony (2009-02-10). "Jack Seiler, Fort Lauderdale's new mayor: "It feels great"". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved 2009-02-11.
  7. ↑ Wallman, Brittany (2009-02-10). "Seiler crushes opponents in Ft. Lauderdale mayoral win, Rodstrom will get second term". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved 2009-02-11.
  8. ↑ Wallman, Brittany (2009-02-09). "Jack Seiler tops $250,000 in contributions for Lauderdale mayor's race". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved 2009-02-11.
  9. ↑ Sherman, Amy (2009-03-17). "Fort Lauderdale commission swearing-in marks changing of the guard". The Miami Herald. Retrieved 2009-03-17.
  10. ↑ "Presidential Preference Primary and Municipal Elections: 1/31/2012". Broward Country Supervisor of Elections. Retrieved November 4, 2012.
  11. ↑ http://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=%2Fm%2F05h338g
  12. ↑ http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2014/11/06/3589693/ft-lauderdale-arrest-feeding-homeless/
  13. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/13/us/florida-finds-tricky-balance-over-feeding-of-the-homeless.html?_r=0
  14. ↑ http://edition.cnn.com/2014/11/04/justice/florida-feeding-homeless-charges/
  • "Mayor John P. "Jack" Seiler". City of Fort Lauderdale.
  • "John P. Jack Seiler for Mayor - Ft. Lauderdale". Official Campaign Website.
  • Follow the Money - John P. Seiler
Political offices
Preceded by
Jim Naugle		 Mayor of Fort Lauderdale
2009–18		 Succeeded by
Dean Trantalis
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