The Case for a Mayor as President

The 2028 presidential race is already beginning to form, with a potential gap for a leader with mayoral experience. While New York City's Zohran Mamdani, currently serving as mayor, is unlikely to run for president due to constitutional limitations, the author argues that the nation would benefit from a president with a background in city governance.

Historically, only three mayors have ascended to the presidency, with Calvin Coolidge being the last in 1923. Both Coolidge and Grover Cleveland, his mayoral predecessor, were known for fiscal responsibility in their cities, a quality the author suggests is crucial for tackling today's inflation. The lack of a mayor-president since Coolidge, the article posits, may contribute to the current discontent and fragmentation in American politics, as higher levels of government often appear less functional than local leadership.

Mayors, according to the author's observations, tend to be pragmatic, optimistic, and deeply committed to their constituents. They often take on roles that blend CEO, building inspector, mediator, and even first responder. Examples include Athens Mayor Haris Doukas, a former engineering professor, and Patrick Payton, a former pastor and mayor of Midland, Texas. The article highlights Cologne Mayor Henriette Reker, who, despite being attacked for her stance on refugees, continued to welcome those fleeing conflict.

Mayoral leadership often involves empowering citizens through direct participation, such as citizen assemblies championed by Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas. Unlike national politicians who may avoid accountability, mayors are constantly accessible to their constituents, encountering them in everyday settings. Modern mayors utilize technology, with mayors from Santiago to Düsseldorf implementing apps for residents to track services or report issues. The author contrasts this with the FDA's slow response to a cyclosporiasis outbreak, questioning if a mayor would exhibit similar delays.

Mayors are compelled to prioritize practical solutions over ideological disputes. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, a Republican, is noted for investing in infrastructure to combat climate change rather than dismissing it. In Chile, Santiago's Mayor Mario Desbordes has reduced crime rates through collaboration, even with political rivals, emphasizing citizen welfare over personal political gain.

The article contrasts this collaborative and innovative approach with the previous Trump administration's focus on dismantling diplomacy and engaging in unilateral actions. It points to Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow's vacancy tax to address housing shortages and Lisbon Mayor Moedas's adoption of successful public transit models from other countries. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens is cited for repurposing shipping containers into housing and opening a city-owned grocery store in a food desert.

While acknowledging that municipal governments in the 1800s were often corrupt, the author concludes that modern mayors have evolved to tackle the problems faced by everyday Americans, suggesting that a leader with this background could effectively represent the entire nation.