What is a mayor?

A mayor is the elected head of a city or town, responsible for executive leadership of the local government. The role of mayor varies significantly across the United States, depending on each city's specific form of government. In strong-mayor cities, the mayor holds substantial executive power, similar to a governor at the state level or the President at the federal level. The strong mayor controls the city budget, appoints department heads, oversees city agencies, and exercises significant policy authority. New York City, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, Boston, and many other large American cities use the strong-mayor model.

In weak-mayor cities, the mayor's powers are more limited, often largely ceremonial. The mayor presides over council meetings and represents the city, but day-to-day administration is handled by a professional city manager hired by the city council. Many medium-sized cities use this council-manager form of government. The mayor in a weak-mayor system may also serve as one member of the city council with one vote, rather than as a separate executive.

Mayors are typically elected directly by city voters, though some cities select mayors through the city council from among its members. Term lengths vary, with two-year, three-year, and four-year terms all common. Some cities have term limits; others do not. Mayoral races are partisan in some cities and officially nonpartisan in many others.

Major American cities have produced influential mayors who have shaped not just their cities but national policy. Recent and historical examples include Fiorello La Guardia of New York City (1934 to 1945), Richard J. Daley of Chicago (1955 to 1976) and his son Richard M. Daley (1989 to 2011), Tom Bradley of Los Angeles (1973 to 1993), Rudy Giuliani of New York (1994 to 2001), Michael Bloomberg of New York (2002 to 2013), Mitch Landrieu of New Orleans (2010 to 2018), and Eric Adams of New York City (2022 to present). Many mayors have used the office as a stepping stone to higher office.

The position of mayor is increasingly important as the role of cities in driving the American economy has grown. Mayors lead efforts on housing, public safety, climate adaptation, public health (especially during the COVID-19 pandemic), economic development, and infrastructure. They negotiate with state and federal governments, attract businesses and conventions, and represent their cities in mayors' associations and international forums.