Andrew Ginther

Andrew Ginther
Ginther in 2016
Andrew Ginther
Born	Andrew James Ginther 4/27/1975
Birthplace	Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician
Education	Earlham College (BA)
Spouse(s)	Shannon Ginther
Children	1
Website	Official website

Andrew James Ginther (born April 27, 1975) is an American Democratic politician serving as the 53rd Mayor of Columbus, Ohio, since January 1, 2016. He grew up in Columbus and made his way into public life through local government before becoming President of the Columbus City Council from 2011 to 2015. When Michael B. Coleman—who'd held the office since 2000—announced he wouldn't seek re-election, Ginther jumped into the race. He won that 2015 campaign and hasn't looked back: re-elected in 2019 and again in 2023, making him one of Columbus's longer-serving mayors in recent decades. His years in office have coincided with robust population and economic growth in Columbus. He's also taken on broader responsibilities, serving as President of the United States Conference of Mayors from 2024 to 2025. As of early 2026, he's signaled that he's eyeing a fourth term in the 2027 mayoral election.

Early Life

Andrew James Ginther was born on April 27, 1975, in Columbus, Ohio. He came of age in an atmosphere centered on public service. A 2015 profile in The Columbus Dispatch detailed how his upbringing emphasized community engagement and civic responsibility, values that shaped his entire worldview.

His Columbus roots stuck with him. Throughout his adult life, he stayed in central Ohio, building community relationships that would prove crucial when he entered local politics. Being a Columbus native became something he emphasized constantly during campaigns—he knew the neighborhoods, knew the problems, knew the people.

Education

Ginther earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Earlham College, a private liberal arts school in Richmond, Indiana. The college, affiliated with the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), places real emphasis on social justice and community involvement. Ginther has credited these values as formative influences on his approach to public service.

Career

Early Political Career

Ginther's entry into Columbus politics came through local government work and Democratic Party involvement. He got engaged in the political process young and developed solid connections within the Columbus political establishment. This background positioned him well for a run at Columbus City Council.

The late 1990s and early 2000s in Columbus were shaped by significant local and state races. A 2000 New York Times article captured the stakes of Ohio political contests during that era, reflecting just how competitive the environment was as Ginther's career took shape.

Columbus City Council (2007–2015)

Ginther won his seat on Columbus City Council and worked his way up through the ranks until he reached the presidency. In January 2011, he became Council President, taking over from Michael Mentel in that role. A February 2011 Columbus Dispatch profile explored his ambitions and leadership style as the new president.

As Council President, he oversaw one of the largest legislative bodies in the Midwest during the economic recovery that followed the Great Recession. He held the position from January 3, 2011, until December 31, 2015, when Zach Klein succeeded him. Those four years gave Ginther direct experience with the city's budget, zoning, and policy decisions. It was the kind of hands-on experience that became central to his mayoral campaign. His council work shaped the platform he'd run on later.

2015 Mayoral Election

When Michael B. Coleman announced he wouldn't seek another term after serving as mayor since 2000, the race was on. The 2015 mayoral contest drew major attention as the first open race in more than a decade. Ginther squared off against former Council President Zach Scott in the Democratic primary, which essentially decided the race in Columbus's heavily Democratic environment.

Ginther won the primary in May 2015. That gave him the Democratic nomination and made him the overwhelming favorite for the general election. After the general election victory in November 2015, Ginther assembled his cabinet and transition team to prepare for January 1, 2016. A December 2015 Dispatch profile caught him on the eve of that transition, looking ahead to what awaited him.

First Term as Mayor (2016–2019)

Ginther became the 53rd Mayor of Columbus on January 1, 2016. Early on, he made key appointments to his administration. In July 2016, he tapped Ned Pettus Jr. as Director of Public Safety, the critical position overseeing the Columbus Division of Police and the Division of Fire. His cabinet choices reflected his priorities for the city.

Columbus kept growing throughout his first term. Ginther's administration pushed forward on urban development, infrastructure, and public safety. He also committed support to neighborhood revitalization, especially for the Sullivant Avenue corridor on the west side. This pledge came after a Columbus Dispatch investigation laid bare the area's challenges.

Second Term and Social Unrest (2020–2023)

Ginther won re-election in 2019 and stepped into his second term facing the COVID-19 pandemic and widespread social unrest. The killing of George Floyd in May 2020 sparked protests across the nation, and Columbus was no exception. Demonstrators staged actions at multiple locations, including outside Ginther's personal residence.

The protests put intense focus on the Columbus Division of Police and how the Ginther administration handled law enforcement reform. These demonstrations were among Ohio's most sustained, creating pressure from multiple directions. Activists pushed for real police reform. Others demanded continued support for law enforcement. His administration had to navigate those competing demands while managing public safety and community relations.

He sought and won a third term in November 2023, earning another four-year mandate to lead Columbus.

Third Term and Continued Growth (2024–present)

During his third term, Columbus has continued its rise as one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. A September 2025 profile in Governing magazine highlighted this economic trajectory. The publication credited what it called "an unusual culture of cooperation" led by Ginther for much of the city's success.

In November 2025, Ginther joined Ohio Governor Mike DeWine to announce a $500,000 H2Ohio program investment. The money would replace lead water lines at Columbus childcare facilities, targeting public health concerns in the city's aging infrastructure.

But the 2026 operating budget he proposed drew fire. Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk Lori Tyack publicly called it "fiscally irresponsible," sparking a public disagreement over city spending priorities. The Columbus Promise program faced real jeopardy. This free community college tuition initiative relied on both public funds and private contributions. In December 2025, Ginther's office warned the program could become "a casualty of a tight budget year."

In February 2026, another issue surfaced. Questions arose about campaign contributions Ginther had received from Les Wexner, the Columbus billionaire and former CEO of L Brands. Several Columbus politicians chose to donate past Wexner contributions ahead of his Congressional deposition. Ginther declined to do so.

2027 Reelection Campaign

In November 2025, Ginther started gearing up for a fourth-term bid in the 2027 election. The Columbus Dispatch reported that Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein backed his candidacy, though it remained unclear whether any City Council members would mount a challenge. By early February 2026, Ginther had built an impressive campaign war chest despite the absence of any declared opponent. Reports suggested former City Council President Shannon Hardin was considering a 2027 mayoral run.

United States Conference of Mayors

From 2024 to 2025, Ginther served as the 82nd President of the United States Conference of Mayors. He succeeded Hillary Schieve, the mayor of Reno, Nevada, and was succeeded by Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt. It's a prominent national role, and his selection reflected Columbus's growing position among major American cities.

Personal Life

Ginther is married to Shannon Ginther. They have one child. The family lives in Columbus. His home attracted public attention in June 2020 when protesters demonstrated outside during the nationwide unrest following George Floyd's death.

Ginther has made appearances on C-SPAN in connection with his mayoral duties.

Recognition

Ginther's leadership of Columbus during a period of sustained economic and population growth has attracted national notice. Governing magazine profiled the city in September 2025, crediting much of its success to a cooperative governance approach under his leadership. The publication named Columbus "one of the fastest-growing cities in the country" and explored the economic and civic forces driving that transformation.

His election as President of the United States Conference of Mayors in 2024 recognized his standing among the nation's municipal leaders. The position gave him a national platform to push for urban policy priorities and placed Columbus in larger national conversations about how cities should be governed.

Legacy

As of early 2026, Ginther's legacy is still actively taking shape. He continues serving as mayor while preparing for a potential fourth-term run. Since 2016, he's presided over one of the most significant growth periods in Columbus's history. Population has expanded steadily, and major economic development projects—especially those tied to technology and semiconductor manufacturing in central Ohio—have accelerated during his time in office.

He stepped into the role left by Michael B. Coleman, who'd served 16 years, and sought to build on that growth while tackling emerging problems. Affordable housing, public safety, and infrastructure all required attention. How his administration responded to the 2020 protests and subsequent police reform efforts, along with how he managed city budgets through both boom times and tight fiscal years, will likely define how history judges his tenure.

The Columbus Promise program stands out as a signature achievement of his administration—providing free community college tuition. Still, budget pressures created real uncertainty about its future as of late 2025.