Metro Mayor
After the merger of Louisville and Jefferson County was approved, the previous term limits no longer applied. Abramson was easily elected Louisville's first Metro Mayor in 2002 by 73.4 percent of the vote over Republican challenger Jack Early, former mayor of Hurstbourne, Kentucky, a major suburb of Louisville.
One of Abramson's first actions as Metro Mayor was to appoint Robert C. White Chief of the troubled Louisville Metro Police Department, the first African-American to hold the post. The move proved to be politically wise, helping to calm criticism of the department from the black community in Louisville.
Abramson was re-elected mayor in November 2006; his opponent was Metro Council member Kelly Downard (R).
Abramson is the first person of Jewish faith to have served as mayor of Louisville. He lives in the Crescent Hill neighborhood with his wife, Madeline.
Kentucky Monthly magazine's readers voted Abramson "Kentucky's Best" civic figure five times (2002–2006).
Read more about this topic: Jerry Abramson
Famous quotes containing the word mayor:
“when Mrs Kindhead comes to collect for the Community Chest
grab her and tell her There are unfavorable omens in the sky!
And when the mayor comes to get my vote tell him
When are you going to stop people killing whales!”
—Gregory Corso (b. 1930)