Dennis Kucinich Representative of the Democratic Party of the United States Date of Birth: 08.10.1946 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Education
2. Early Political Career
3. Mayoralty of Cleveland
4. MLC Controversy
5. Progressive Leadership
6. Re-election and National Recognition
7. Congressional Career
8. Presidential Candidacy
9. Personal Life

Early Life and Education

Dennis Kucinich was born April 19, 1946, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Croatian-American Frank Kucinich Sr. and Irish-American Virginia (née McNelis) Kucinich. He earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from Case Western Reserve University in 1973.

Early Political Career

Kucinich's political career began at a young age. He was elected to the Cleveland City Council in 1969 and twice ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 1972 and 1974. Undeterred, he campaigned as an independent in the 1974 election and garnered nearly 30% of the vote.

Mayoralty of Cleveland

In 1977, Kucinich ran for Mayor of Cleveland, initially supporting incumbent Republican mayor Ralph Perk. However, he later broke ranks with Perk and won the Democratic endorsement. Kucinich campaigned on a populist platform, invoking the legacy of Progressive Mayor Tom L. Johnson. He criticized his opponent, Edward Feighan, for supporting property tax cuts. Kucinich ultimately defeated Feighan by a narrow margin, becoming the youngest mayor in the United States at the age of 31.

MLC Controversy

One of the most controversial issues during Kucinich's mayoralty was the proposed sale of the city-owned Municipal Light Company to the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company (CEI). Kucinich vigorously opposed the sale, which had been approved by his predecessor. He argued that selling MLC would deprive Cleveland of a valuable asset and lead to higher utility costs for residents. The sale ultimately did not go through.

Progressive Leadership

Kucinich's mayoral tenure was characterized by his progressive beliefs. He appointed young and inexperienced individuals to key positions, including Joseph Tegrin as Finance Director, which raised concerns within the business community. Kucinich also clashed with other city officials and often took confrontational stances on various issues.

Re-election and National Recognition

Kucinich was re-elected as mayor in 1979. He gained national attention for his environmental activism and his dedication to social justice. However, he faced challenges from within his own party, and his efforts to attract new businesses to Cleveland were unsuccessful.

Congressional Career

In 1996, Kucinich was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Democrat. He served in Congress from 1997 to 2013, representing the 10th Congressional District of Ohio. Kucinich was a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and was known for his outspoken views on foreign policy, healthcare, and economic equality.

Presidential Candidacy

Kucinich twice ran for President of the United States, in 2004 and 2008. Although he did not win either nomination, his campaigns allowed him to share his progressive agenda with a larger audience.

Personal Life

Kucinich has been married three times. He has one daughter, Jackie, from his first marriage to Sandra Lee McCarthy. He married his third wife, Elizabeth Harper, in 2005. Kucinich is a practicing Roman Catholic and has been a longtime vegan.