Daniel Rickenmann

Daniel Rickenmann
71st Mayor of Columbia, South Carolina
Incumbent
Assumed office January 4, 2022
Preceded by	Stephen K. Benjamin
Personal details
Born	1969 or 1970 (age 54–55) Spartanburg, South Carolina, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Laura Rickenmann
Children	2
Education	University of South Carolina (BA)

Daniel Rickenmann (born 1969/1970)[1] is an American businessman and politician, serving as the 71st Mayor of Columbia, South Carolina.

Early life and education

Born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Rickenmann is the son of immigrants from Switzerland. He attended the University of South Carolina in 1987.[2]

Political career

Mayoral election

After confirmation on February 2021 that incumbent Mayor Stephen K. Benjamin would not seek re-election,[3] Rickenmann announced his bid for the office.[4] Other candidates were At-Large Columbia City Councilwoman Tameika Isaac Devine, attorney Sam Johnson, and former Columbia City Councilman Moe Baddourah.[5] On November 16, 2021, Rickenmann won the runoff election against Isaac Devine with 52% to 48% of the vote.[6] He was sworn in as mayor of Columbia on January 4, 2022.[7]

Rickenmann ranked Number 2 in the Post and Courier Columbia Power List 2023 [8] and 2024.[9]

While candidates for the office of mayor in Columbia, South Carolina are officially non-partisan, Rickenmann is a Republican. Conversely, his opponent in the 2021 election, Tameika Isaac Devine, is a Democrat. Devine was endorsed by former U.S. president Barack Obama and House Whip Jim Clyburn. Previously, Columbia has historically voted for Democratic candidates, including Joe Biden for U.S. president by nearly 40 points. Its two previous mayors, Bob Coble and Steve Benjamin were Democrats.[10] [11] Some Republicans, including Ben Shapiro and United States Senator Rick Scott of Florida, cited Rickenmann's win as part of a "red wave."[12][13]

City council election

In 2004, Rickenmann was elected as an At-Large representative for Columbia City Council. He held the position until 2013 when he chose not to run for reelection. He ran again for city council in 2017, winning the election as a representative from Columbia's fourth district.[14]

Rickenmann (5th from the right) in the Oval Office with other newly-elected mayors, 2023.

Endorsements

In June 2023, Rickenmann endorsed Tim Scott in the 2024 United States presidential election.[15] [16]

Electoral history

Runoff election for Mayor of Columbia, 2021[a][17]
Candidate	Votes	%
Daniel Rickenmann	10,606	52
Tameika Isaac Devine	9,789	48
Total	20,395	100%

Election for Mayor of Columbia, 2021[18]
Candidate	Votes	%
Daniel Rickenmann	8,417	43.51
Tameika Isaac Devine	5,846	30.22
Sam Johnson	4,710	24.35
Moe Baddourah	364	1.88
Write-in	9	0.05
Total	19,346	100%

Notes

1. Rickenmann and Devine went to a runoff election since no candidate won more than 50% of the vote in the initial election.

See also

• Mayor of Columbia, South Carolina

External links

• Rickenmann announces bid for Mayor, April 28, 2021 on WLTX-TV
• Mayor's Inauguration and Swearing In Ceremony, January 4, 2022 from City of Columbia, South Carolina
• Fireside Chat with Mayor Daniel Rickenmann, May 11, 2023 from Bipartisan Policy Center
• Mayor Rickenmann and Congressman Jim Clyburn greet President Joe Biden, arriving on Air Force One in Lexington County, SC, July 6, 2023 on WLTX
• Mayor Rickenmann and Congressman Jim Clyburn greet President Joe Biden, visiting West Columbia to highlight new manufacturing partnership in Lexington County, SC, July 6, 2023 on WIS (TV)

References

1. "Columbia's Rickenmann Makes His Pitch to Local Republicans". The State. September 9, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
2. Clay, Margaret. "New Leadership Sitting down with Mayor Daniel Rickenmann". Columbia Metropolitan. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
3. Olson, Mike (2021-02-04). "Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin announces he will not seek re-election". ABC Columbia. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
4. Trainor, Chris (April 28, 2021). "Rickenmann formally launches campaign for Columbia mayor, talks tax reform". The State Newspaper. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
5. Trainor, Chris (August 13, 2021). "Who's running for mayor of Columbia? Meet the four hopefuls looking for your vote". The State Newspaper. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
6. "Final results in for Columbia mayor, Columbia Council at-Larg". WLTX News 19. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
7. "Daniel Rickenmann sworn in as new mayor of Columbia". The State. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
8. "Power List 2023: USC still dominant in Columbia". The Post and Courier. August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
9. staff, Post and Courier Columbia (2024-12-18). "Here's who made The Post and Courier's 2024 Power List for Columbia". Post and Courier. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
10. "Columbia Mayor Bob Coble drops out of Senate race". WIS-TV. October 20, 2003. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
11. GAYNOR, GERREN KEITH (May 13, 2023). "Meet Stephen Benjamin, the most senior Black man in the White House". The Grio. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
12. Miller, Andrew. "GOP defeats Obama-endorsed candidate in deep blue city that Biden won handily in 2020". Fox News. Fox. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
13. Fastenau, Stephen. "As Republicans laud Rickenmann's Columbia mayor win, many downplay impact on city politics". The Post and Courier Columbia. The Post and Courier. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
14. Lomis, Connor. "Daniel Rickenmann elected Columbia's next mayor". WISTV. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
15. Kinnard, Meg (June 12, 2023). "Dozens of South Carolina leaders endorse Tim Scott's presidential bid". WLTX-TV. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
16. "Sen. Tim Scott in Spartanburg to announce campaign endorsements". FOX Carolina. June 12, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
17. "2021 Municipal Election Day - Runoff Election Night Reporting". SC Votes. State of South Carolina.
18. "2021 Municipal Election Day Election Night Reporting". SC Votes. State of South Carolina. Retrieved 14 May 2022.

Political offices
Preceded by Stephen K. Benjamin	Mayor of Columbia 2022–present	Incumbent