John Dickert

John Dickert
58th Mayor of Racine, Wisconsin
In office
May 19, 2009 (2009-05-19) – July 16, 2017 (2017-07-16)
Preceded by Tom Friedel (interim)
Succeeded by Cory Mason
Personal details
Born John Dickert
(1962-12-06) December 6, 1962
Racine, Wisconsin
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Teresa Murphy
Children Riley Dickert, Eleanor Dickert
Alma mater University of Wisconsin–La Crosse
Website https://web.archive.org/web/20160116195142/http://www.johndickert.org/

John T. Dickert (born December 6, 1962) is an American politician and the executive director of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative.[1] He previously served as the mayor of Racine, Wisconsin as a Democrat. He became mayor after winning a special election in 2009, and served in the office for eight years before resigning in 2017 to assume the executive director position for the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative.

Early life

Dickert's familial roots extend three generations in Racine. In 1880, his great-great grandfather arrived and started a family and small plumbing business, Dickert Brothers Plumbing Company. That business lasted more than a century.[2] John Dickert was born December 6, 1962. He attended St. Catherine's High School and received his bachelor's degree in political science and mass communication from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse.[3] While in college, he was elected to the La Crosse County Board of Supervisors. Dickert then worked as an intern for Congressman Les Aspin in Washington D.C. Dickert returned to Racine to serve as Congressional District Director for State Assemblyman Peter Barca. Dickert became a real estate agent for Coldwell Banker in 2003 and First Weber in 2007, then ran for mayor of Racine in 2009.[3]

Mayoralty

Dickert and other mayors meet with President Obama

John Dickert served as mayor from 2009 to 2017. He was first elected to finish the term of Gary E. Becker, who had resigned in January after being charged with six felonies.[4] He was elected on May 5, 2009, and was inaugurated on May 19,[5] taking over from acting Mayor Tom Friedel. After winning regular elections in August 2011 and again in August 2015, Dickert ultimately served one full term and two partial terms.[6]

While mayor, Dickert served as president of the Urban Alliance, a group of mayors from Wisconsin’s largest metro regions, from its creation in 2011 until he was succeeded by Manitowoc mayor Justin Nickels in 2014.[7][8] Dickert also served on the United States Conference of Mayors, primarily as Vice Chair of the Metro Economies Committee,[9] as well as on its Mayors Water Council.[10] Additionally, he was a member of Governor Scott Walker’s Wisconsin Coastal Management Council.[11]

On March 27, 2017, Dickert announced his plans to resign from the mayoralty to take the position of executive director at the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, a binational group of U.S. and Canadian "mayors and local officials working to advance the protection and restoration of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River."[12] Dickert had previously served on the organization's board of directors, and was the chairman of the board between 2014 and 2015.[13]

Dickert resigned the position on July 16, 2017, and Dennis Wiser, previously president of the Racine City Council, automatically became acting mayor. Democrat Cory Mason became Mayor of Racine, Wisconsin on November 7, 2017 after winning the special election.[1]

Personal life

Dickert lives in Racine with his wife and two children. He is Roman Catholic.

References

  1. 1 2 Leary, Patrick. "Wiser appointed mayor; Election tentatively set for Oct. 17", Racine Journal Times, July 19, 2017.
  2. ↑ "John Dickert for Mayor". Archived from the original on 2016-01-16.
  3. 1 2 "Mayoral Candidate Profile: John Dickert". Racine Journal Times. April 7, 2009.
  4. ↑ "Mayor Gary Becker of Racine, Wisconsin resigns after sex-sting arrest". Associated Press. January 20, 2009.
  5. ↑ Pete (May 19, 2009). "John Dickert takes over as Racine's mayor". Racine Post.
  6. ↑ Spoto, Cara (April 7, 2015). "Dickert holds off challenge in mayor race". Racine Journal Times.
  7. ↑ "Manitowoc Mayor Justin Nickels New Urban Alliance President", League of Wisconsin Municipalities, September 30, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Mayor named new alliance president", Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter, September 30, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Mayor Dickert Receives National Appointment", Racine, Wisconsin's Randum Creative Events, November 3, 2010.
  10. ↑ "John Dickert: Mayor; Racine, WI", The NewDEAL.
  11. ↑ "Action Plan". johndickert.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04.
  12. ↑ "About The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative", Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative.
  13. ↑ "Racine Mayor John Dickert to resign for job with Great Lakes cities", Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, March 27, 2017.
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