Jack McLean (mayor) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jack McLean
Photograph of Jack McLean taken May 21, 1985
City Manager of Quincy, Florida
Incumbent
Assumed office 2019
City Manager of Quincy, Florida
In office 2009–2014
City Commissioner of Tallahassee City Council
Incumbent
Assumed office 1987
Mayor of Tallahassee
In office 1986–1986
Preceded by	Hurley W. Rudd
Succeeded by	Betty Harley
City Commissioner of Tallahassee City Council
In office 1984–1986
Personal details
Born	1949/1950 (age 76–77)
Education	B.A. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill J.D. Florida State University

Jack L. McLean Jr. (born around 1950) is an American politician. He was the second African-American mayor of Tallahassee, the capital city of Florida. He currently works as the city manager for Quincy, Florida. A city manager is a person hired to run the daily operations of a city.

Early Life and Education

Jack McLean went to college at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in African Studies. Later, he attended Florida State University to study law and received a law degree, known as a J.D.

Before his political career, McLean used his law skills to help people. He was the chairman of two important state groups: the Florida Public Employees Relations Commission and the Florida Human Relations Commission. He also led an organization called Legal Aid of North Florida, which gives legal help to those who cannot afford it.

Political Career in Tallahassee

A park in Tallahassee was named after Jack L. McLean Jr. to honor him.

McLean's journey into politics in Tallahassee had some challenges. At the time, it was rare for African-American candidates to be elected in the city. Since the Reconstruction period after the Civil War, only one other Black person, James R. Ford, had been elected to the city government.

The 1982 Election

In 1982, McLean ran for a seat on the City Commission. A City Commissioner helps make important decisions for the city. At first, it looked like McLean had won by a small number of votes. However, after more ballots were counted, his opponent was declared the winner.

Many people were upset about how the election was handled. They felt it was unfair to a Black candidate in a city where about one-third of the people were Black. The public concern led to changes in how Tallahassee's elections were managed to make them fairer in the future.

Becoming a City Commissioner and Mayor

McLean did not give up. In 1984, he ran for City Commissioner again and won with 65% of the vote. This victory was important because it guaranteed that Tallahassee would have a Black leader on the commission.

At that time, the position of mayor was not elected directly by the people. Instead, the City Commissioners took turns serving as mayor for one year. Because he was a commissioner, McLean became the mayor of Tallahassee in 1986. He was the second African-American to ever hold this important job in the city's history.

Work as a City Manager and Lawyer

After his time as mayor, McLean continued to work in public service and law.

Serving the City of Quincy

In 2009, McLean became the City Manager of Quincy, Florida, a city near Tallahassee. He held this job until 2014. After a few years away, the city of Quincy asked him to come back. He was rehired as the City Manager in 2019 and continues to serve in that role.

Legal Practice

Besides his government work, McLean has had a successful career as an attorney. He has worked for large law firms like Holland & Knight and McGuireWoods. He also started his own law firm. As a lawyer, he specialized in helping governments and workers with legal issues related to employment and labor.