James Hutchison (American politician)

James L. "Hutch" Hutchison Sr. (born June 20, 1942) is an American politician. Hutchison served as the first full-time Mayor of Dover, Delaware from 1994 to 2004.[1] Hutchison is a member of the Republican Party.[1] However, Dover's mayoral office is officially nonpartisan.

Hutchison, a native of Dover, graduated from Dover High School in 1961. He received an associate's degree in criminal justice from Delaware Technical & Community College in 1987.[2]

Hutchison served as the police chief of Dover prior to entering politics. He held Dover's at-large city council seat from 1993 to 1994.[1]

In 1994, Hutchison was elected Dover's first full-time mayor. He retired from office in 2004.[1]

In 2008, Hutchinson ran for the Delaware Senate in the 17th District, but lost the election to Democrat Brian Bushweller.[1]

In January 2011, Hutchison announced his candidacy for an open seat in the Dover City Council, which was being vacated by retiring City Council President Ken Hogan.[2] Hutchison won the City Council District 1 seat in the municipal election held on April 19, 2011, defeating Holly Malone.[3]

In August 2011, Hutchison proposed lengthening the terms for the mayor and city council members from the current two-year term to four-years in office. Hutchison argued that the current election system, in which Dover's candidates must seek re-election every two years, is too expensive, costing the city approximately $10,000 per election. He told council that his proposal would save the city money and promote increased leadership among Dover's elected officials. Under his proposal, if enacted, the new four-year terms would be gradually phased in over a two-year period.[4]