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List of mayors of Gary, Indiana facts for kids

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A mayor is the leader of a city or town. They are in charge of making sure the city runs smoothly, like managing public services, working with the city council, and representing the city. This article tells you about the people who have served as mayor of Gary, Indiana.

Gary, Indiana, officially became a city in 1909. Before that, its first leader, Thomas Knotts, was the president of the Town Board. Since 1943, every mayor of Gary has been a member of the Democratic Party.

Who Has Been Mayor of Gary?

Here is a list of the mayors who have led the city of Gary, Indiana, and when they served.

Number Portrait Mayor Term Start Term End Party
1 Thomas Knotts 1906 1914 Democratic
2 Roswell O. Johnson (1st) 1914 1918 Republican
3 William F. Hodges 1918 1922 Republican
4 Roswell O. Johnson (2nd) 1922 1925 Republican
5 William J. Fulton 1925 1926 Republican
6 Floyd E. Williams 1926 1930 Republican
7 Roswell O. Johnson (3rd) 1930 1935 Republican
8 Lee B. Clayton 1935 1939 Democratic
9 Ernst Schaible 1939 1943 Republican
10 Joseph E. Finerty 1943 1948 Democratic
11 Eugene Swartz 1948 1952 Democratic
12 Peter Mandich 1952 1958 Democratic
13 George Chacharis 1958 1962 Democratic
14 John S. Visclosky 1962 1963 Democratic
15 A. Martin Katz 1964 1968 Democratic
16
Richard Hatcher 1967 (a)
Richard Hatcher, who served as mayor for nearly 20 years.
Richard Hatcher 1968 1987 Democratic
17 Thomas V. Barnes 1988 1995 Democratic
18 Scott L. King 1996 2006 Democratic
Dozier Allen Jr. 2006 2006 Democratic
19
Rudolph M. Clay 207-DP-9302-Mayor0358 (cropped)
Rudy Clay, mayor from 2006 to 2011.
Rudy Clay 2006 2011 Democratic
20
Karen Freeman-Wilson (12617981394)
Karen Freeman-Wilson, the first female mayor of Gary.
Karen Freeman-Wilson 2012 2019 Democratic
21 Jerome A. Prince 2020 2023 Democratic
22
Eddie Melton at Miller Beach Cafe 2023 IMG 3247 (cropped)
Eddie Melton, the current mayor of Gary.
Eddie Melton 2024 incumbent Democratic
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List of mayors of Gary, Indiana Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.