Andrew Ginther

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

Andrew James Ginther (born April 27, 1975) is an American Democratic politician who has served as the 53rd Mayor of Columbus, Ohio, since January 1, 2016. Born and raised in Columbus, Ginther entered public life through local government and rose to serve as President of the Columbus City Council from 2011 to 2015 before winning the mayoral election in 2015. He succeeded Michael B. Coleman, who had held the office since 2000. Ginther was re-elected in 2019 and again in 2023, making him one of the longer-serving mayors in the city's recent history. His tenure has coincided with a period of significant population and economic growth in Columbus, and he has served in national leadership roles, including as President of the United States Conference of Mayors from 2024 to 2025. As of early 2026, Ginther has signaled his intention to seek a fourth term in the 2027 mayoral election.

Early Life

Andrew James Ginther was born on April 27, 1975, in Columbus, Ohio. He grew up in the city in what has been described as an atmosphere of public service. A 2015 profile in The Columbus Dispatch detailed how Ginther's upbringing was shaped by a family environment that emphasized community engagement and civic responsibility.

Ginther's roots in Columbus informed much of his later political career. He remained in central Ohio throughout his adult life, building relationships in the community that would prove instrumental in his entry into local politics. His background as a Columbus native became a recurring theme in his political campaigns, where he emphasized his deep familiarity with the city's neighborhoods and challenges.

Education

Ginther attended Earlham College, a private liberal arts college in Richmond, Indiana, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. Earlham College, affiliated with the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), is known for its emphasis on social justice and community engagement, values that Ginther has cited as formative influences on his public service career.

Career

Early Political Career

Ginther's entry into Columbus politics began with his involvement in local government and Democratic Party activities. He became engaged in the political process at a relatively young age and developed connections within the Columbus political establishment. His early career included work that positioned him for a run for Columbus City Council.

The political landscape in Columbus during the late 1990s and early 2000s was shaped by significant local and state-level races. A 2000 New York Times article highlighted the stakes of Ohio political contests during that period, underscoring the competitive environment in which Ginther's career developed.

Columbus City Council (2007–2015)

Ginther won election to the Columbus City Council and served as a member before ascending to the role of Council President. In January 2011, he became the President of the Columbus City Council, succeeding Michael Mentel in the position. A February 2011 profile in The Columbus Dispatch described his ambitions and leadership approach as the new council president.

As Council President, Ginther presided over the legislative body of one of the largest cities in the Midwest during a period of economic recovery following the Great Recession. He served in the role from January 3, 2011, until December 31, 2015, when he was succeeded by Zach Klein. During his time leading the council, Ginther developed a legislative record and built a political profile that prepared him for a mayoral campaign. His work on the council gave him direct involvement in the city's budget, zoning, and policy decisions, providing him with governance experience that would define his later campaign platform.

2015 Mayoral Election

In 2015, Ginther entered the race for mayor of Columbus following the announcement by incumbent Michael B. Coleman—who had served as mayor since 2000—that he would not seek re-election. The mayoral race drew significant attention as the first open contest for the office in more than a decade. Ginther faced former Columbus City Council President Zach Scott in the Democratic primary, which effectively served as the general election in the heavily Democratic city.

Ginther won the primary election in May 2015, securing the Democratic nomination and establishing himself as the prohibitive favorite in the general election. After winning the general election in November 2015, Ginther began assembling his cabinet and transition team in preparation for taking office on January 1, 2016. A December 2015 Dispatch profile described Ginther on the eve of his inauguration as he prepared for the transition of power.

First Term as Mayor (2016–2019)

Ginther took office as the 53rd Mayor of Columbus on January 1, 2016. Among his early actions was the appointment of key members of his administration, including the naming of a new safety director in July 2016. Ned Pettus Jr. was appointed as the city's Director of Public Safety, a critical position overseeing the Columbus Division of Police and the Columbus Division of Fire. Ginther assembled a cabinet that reflected his policy priorities for the city.

During his first term, Columbus continued to experience population growth, and Ginther oversaw an administration focused on urban development, infrastructure, and public safety. He also pledged support for neighborhood revitalization efforts, including aid for the Sullivant Avenue corridor on the city's west side following a Columbus Dispatch investigative series that highlighted the area's challenges.

Second Term and Social Unrest (2020–2023)

Ginther won re-election in 2019 and began his second term amid the growing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and widespread social unrest following the killing of George Floyd in May 2020. Protests against police brutality and racial injustice spread to Columbus, where demonstrators staged protests at multiple locations, including in front of Ginther's personal residence.

The protests placed significant scrutiny on the Columbus Division of Police and the Ginther administration's handling of law enforcement. The demonstrations in Columbus were among the most sustained in the state, and Ginther faced pressure from both activists calling for police reform and from others advocating for continued support of law enforcement. The period tested his administration's approach to public safety and community relations.

Despite these challenges, Ginther sought and won a third term in the November 2023 election, securing another four-year mandate to lead the city.

Third Term and Continued Growth (2024–present)

Ginther's third term has been marked by Columbus's continued emergence as one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. A September 2025 profile in Governing magazine highlighted Columbus's economic trajectory, noting that the city's growth has been driven by what the publication described as "an unusual culture of cooperation" led by Ginther.

In November 2025, Ginther participated in a state initiative alongside Ohio Governor Mike DeWine to announce a $500,000 investment from the H2Ohio program to replace lead water lines at childcare facilities in Columbus. The investment targeted the removal of lead service lines at facilities serving young children, addressing a public health concern in the city's aging infrastructure.

Ginther's proposed 2026 operating budget drew criticism from some local officials. Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk Lori Tyack publicly criticized the budget as "fiscally irresponsible," creating a public dispute over city spending priorities. The budget also raised concerns about the future of the Columbus Promise program, a free community college tuition initiative jointly funded by public funds and private contributions. Ginther's office indicated in December 2025 that the program could be "a casualty of a tight budget year."

In February 2026, Ginther faced questions regarding campaign contributions from Les Wexner, the Columbus-based billionaire and former CEO of L Brands. While a growing number of Columbus politicians chose to donate past campaign contributions received from Wexner ahead of Wexner's Congressional deposition, Ginther declined to do so.

2027 Reelection Campaign

In November 2025, Ginther began preparations for a campaign seeking a fourth term as mayor in the 2027 election. The Columbus Dispatch reported that Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein expressed support for Ginther's candidacy, though it remained unclear whether any members of the Columbus City Council would mount a challenge. By early February 2026, Ginther had built a substantial campaign war chest, demonstrating his fundraising capabilities even in the absence of a declared challenger. Reports indicated that former Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin was weighing a potential 2027 run for mayor.

United States Conference of Mayors

Ginther served as the 82nd President of the United States Conference of Mayors from 2024 to 2025, succeeding Reno, Nevada Mayor Hillary Schieve and being succeeded by Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt. The presidency of the Conference of Mayors is a prominent national leadership role, and Ginther's selection reflected Columbus's growing stature among major American cities.

Personal Life

Ginther is married to Shannon Ginther. The couple has one child. The family resides in Columbus, Ohio. Ginther's personal residence drew public attention in June 2020 when protesters staged a demonstration outside his home during the nationwide protests following the killing of George Floyd.

Ginther has appeared on C-SPAN in connection with his official duties as mayor.

Recognition

Ginther's leadership of Columbus during a period of sustained economic and population growth has drawn national attention. Governing magazine profiled Columbus in September 2025, attributing much of the city's success to a cooperative approach to governance under Ginther's leadership. The feature highlighted Columbus as "one of the fastest-growing cities in the country" and examined the economic and civic factors driving that growth.

His election as President of the United States Conference of Mayors in 2024 represented a significant recognition of his standing among the nation's municipal leaders. The role gave Ginther a national platform to advocate for urban policy priorities and positioned Columbus in national discussions about municipal governance.

Legacy

As of early 2026, Ginther's legacy remains actively being shaped as he continues to serve as mayor and prepares for a potential fourth term. Having held the office since 2016, he has presided over one of the most consequential periods of growth in Columbus's history. The city's population has continued to expand, and major economic development projects—including those related to technology and semiconductor manufacturing in the broader central Ohio region—have accelerated during his tenure.

Ginther succeeded Michael B. Coleman, who had served as mayor for 16 years, and has sought to build on the growth trajectory established during Coleman's administration while addressing emerging challenges around affordable housing, public safety, and infrastructure. His administration's handling of the 2020 protests and subsequent police reform discussions, as well as his management of city budgets during periods of both growth and fiscal constraint, are likely to figure prominently in historical assessments of his time in office.

The Columbus Promise program, which Ginther's administration helped establish to provide free community college tuition, represents one of the signature policy initiatives of his tenure, though its future remained uncertain as of late 2025 due to budget pressures.