Mark Mallory
Mark Mallory (born April 2, 1962) is an American Democratic politician who served as the 68th mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio, from 2005 to 2013.[1][2] A lifelong resident of Cincinnati's West End, born into a politically active family, Mallory entered public service after working at the city's public library and earning a Bachelor of Science in administrative management from the University of Cincinnati.[2] Mallory's election as mayor marked several historic firsts: he was the first African American to be directly elected to the position, the first non-city council member to win in over 70 years, and the first to serve two full terms under the 2001 strong-mayor charter, which expanded executive powers following racial unrest in 2001.[2][3] Prior to the mayoralty, he succeeded his father, William L. Mallory Sr., a longtime Ohio House leader, by serving in the Ohio House (1995–1998) and Senate (1999–2005), sponsoring legislation on inmate education requirements and ratifying the 14th Amendment while advocating for education reform, consumer protection, prison reform, and crime prevention.[2][1] As mayor, Mallory focused on fiscal stability and urban renewal, balancing budgets during the Great Recession without cuts to police or fire services, reversing a 50-year population decline starting in 2007, and promoting developments to enhance Cincinnati's competitiveness.[3] Key initiatives included the Cincinnati Initiative to Reduce Violence, which correlated with a 41% drop in homicides and 22% in shootings, though his support for the costly streetcar system drew criticism for fiscal risks and divided opinions on its utility.[4][5] Additional scrutiny arose from a 2011 court ruling halting his $500 monthly car allowance amid a lawsuit questioning its propriety.[6] Post-tenure, Mallory founded a consulting firm in 2014 specializing in economic development, sustainability, and public-private partnerships, while occasionally exploring further electoral bids.[3]