Dan Horrigan

Dan Horrigan
Dan Horrigan
Born	1963
Birthplace	Akron, Ohio, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, educator, nonprofit executive
Known for	Serving as 62nd Mayor of Akron, Ohio
Education	Kent State University (BA) University of Akron (BEd)
Spouse(s)	Deanna Horrigan

Daniel M. Horrigan (born 1963) is an American politician, educator, and public administrator who served as the 62nd mayor of Akron, Ohio from January 1, 2016, to January 1, 2024. A member of the Democratic Party, Horrigan came to the mayoralty after eight years as the Clerk of the Summit County Common Pleas Courts, bringing a background in both public service and education to city government. During his two terms as mayor, Horrigan focused on issues including municipal government reform, public health initiatives, and community safety. Before entering politics, Horrigan worked as a teacher, grounding his public career in civic engagement and service. After leaving the mayor's office, he briefly served as the city administrator of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, before being named interim president and CEO of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland, in late 2025.

Early Life

Daniel M. Horrigan was born in 1963 in Akron, Ohio. He grew up in the Akron area, where he developed roots in the community that would later define his political career. Horrigan's background in Akron connected him to the city's working-class traditions and its evolving identity as a mid-sized Rust Belt city transitioning from its industrial past. Details about his family background and childhood are limited in public records, though his long tenure in Akron-area public life suggests deep ties to the community from an early age.

Education

Horrigan holds two bachelor's degrees from Ohio universities. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Kent State University and a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Akron. His education degree prepared him for a career in teaching, which he pursued before transitioning to public administration and politics. The combination of a liberal arts education and professional training in education provided a foundation for Horrigan's later work in government, where he frequently emphasized community engagement and civic participation.

Career

Teaching Career

Before entering public service, Horrigan worked as a teacher, drawing on his Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Akron. His time in education informed his approach to governance and public policy, and he frequently referenced his background as an educator during his political career. The details of his specific teaching positions and the duration of his time in the classroom are not extensively documented in available public records, though his campaign biography noted his work in education as a formative professional experience.

Clerk of Summit County Common Pleas Courts

Horrigan served for eight years as the Clerk of the Summit County Common Pleas Courts, a position that gave him experience managing a significant government office and overseeing court administrative functions. As clerk, Horrigan was responsible for maintaining court records, managing the office's operations, and serving as the administrative backbone of the county's court system. His biography on the Summit County website detailed his responsibilities and civic involvement during this period.

The position of clerk provided Horrigan with visibility in Summit County politics and established him as a competent administrator. His tenure in the role was characterized by efforts to modernize court operations and improve public access to court records. The experience also built relationships across the county's political landscape that would prove valuable when he sought higher office.

2015 Mayoral Campaign

In June 2015, Horrigan announced his candidacy for mayor of Akron, entering a competitive race to succeed the outgoing administration. The race drew attention as a pivotal moment for the city, which was navigating economic transitions and seeking new leadership to address urban challenges.

Horrigan first had to prevail in a contested Democratic primary in August 2015. The primary featured several candidates vying for the Democratic nomination, and Horrigan emerged as the party's standard-bearer after a competitive contest.

In the November 3, 2015, general election, Horrigan won the mayoral race, earning the right to serve as the 62nd mayor of Akron. His victory was covered by national outlets, including USA Today, which noted the significance of the leadership transition in Akron.

Mayor of Akron (2016–2024)

Horrigan took office as mayor of Akron on January 1, 2016, succeeding Jeff Fusco, who had served in an interim capacity. His administration spanned two full terms, during which he pursued initiatives related to government efficiency, public health, and community safety.

Government Reform and Efficiency

One of Horrigan's early actions as mayor was the establishment of a blue-ribbon task force to examine city government operations and recommend reforms. In early 2016, the task force released its findings, proposing changes aimed at improving the efficiency of municipal government in Akron. The recommendations covered a range of topics related to the structure and function of city departments.

As part of his government reform agenda, Horrigan pursued the consolidation of human resources functions within city government. The initiative was designed to create a more streamlined and effective approach to managing the city's workforce, reducing redundancies and improving service delivery.

Public Health and Community Initiatives

In April 2016, Horrigan launched a public health initiative challenging Akron residents to collectively walk 100 million steps, promoting physical activity and community engagement. The program was part of a broader effort to address public health challenges in the city and to foster a sense of collective purpose among residents. The initiative drew media attention as an innovative approach to urban public health promotion.

Community Safety

During his tenure, Horrigan also addressed issues of community safety, including gun violence. The mayor participated in community rallies against gun violence, working alongside community leaders and residents to confront the issue. The issue of gun violence remained a persistent challenge in Akron throughout Horrigan's time in office, as it did in many American cities of similar size.

Speaking Engagements and National Profile

Horrigan's work as mayor of Akron earned him a degree of national recognition. He was invited to speak at the CEOs for Cities National Meeting, where he discussed urban leadership and the challenges facing mid-sized American cities. These engagements placed him among a cohort of urban leaders working to address shared challenges across the country.

2019 Re-election

In May 2019, Horrigan ran for re-election as mayor of Akron. He prevailed in the primary election, securing the Democratic nomination for a second term. He went on to win a second term in the November 2019 general election, allowing him to continue his agenda for the city through January 2024.

Endorsement in 2023 Mayoral Race

As his second term drew to a close, Horrigan endorsed Marco Sommerville in the 2023 mayoral race, signaling his preference for the direction of the city's leadership after his departure. Ultimately, Shammas Malik won the 2023 election and succeeded Horrigan as mayor on January 1, 2024.

Cleveland Heights City Administrator

After leaving the Akron mayor's office, Horrigan was appointed city administrator of Cleveland Heights, Ohio. However, his tenure in that role was notably brief, lasting less than three months. In early 2025, Horrigan resigned from the position, citing workplace difficulties. In subsequent interviews, he described the role as challenging, telling media outlets that while Cleveland Heights was "wonderful," the role itself "was not."

Horrigan's resignation drew significant media attention and raised questions about the internal dynamics of Cleveland Heights city government. Reporting by Cleveland.com indicated that Horrigan's departure was connected to concerns about the involvement of Mayor Kahlil Seren's wife in city business, an issue that Horrigan raised in a memo before his departure.

Internal emails from Horrigan, later obtained by the media, provided further context for his resignation. The emails described what Horrigan characterized as workplace turmoil caused by the mayor's wife's involvement in city operations. The situation prompted the Cleveland Heights City Council to hold a special committee meeting to discuss the concerns Horrigan had raised.

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland

In December 2025, Horrigan was named the interim president and CEO of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland, with his tenure beginning in January 2026. The appointment was reported by Crain's Cleveland Business, the Akron Beacon Journal, and other regional outlets. The role placed Horrigan at the helm of one of the largest social service organizations in the Cleveland Catholic diocese, responsible for a range of programs serving vulnerable populations across Northeast Ohio.

Personal Life

Horrigan is married to Deanna Horrigan. The couple has been based in the Akron area for much of their lives. Horrigan has been involved in various civic organizations throughout his career. He was noted as a speaker at the Akron Kiwanis Club, reflecting his engagement with community service organizations. Horrigan is a lifelong resident of the Akron area, and his career in public service has been centered in Northeast Ohio.

Recognition

Horrigan was included in Cleveland MagazineTemplate:'s "Northeast Ohio's Power 100" list, which recognized influential leaders across the region. The recognition reflected his role as mayor of one of the largest cities in Northeast Ohio and his influence on regional affairs during his time in office.

His invitation to speak at the CEOs for Cities National Meeting also indicated national recognition of his work in urban governance and municipal leadership.