Rich David

Richard Claude "Rich" David (born May 14, 1976) is an American politician and journalist. He served as the mayor of Binghamton, New York from 2014 to 2021. He ran for the 52rd district of the New York State Senate in 2022.

Richard C. David
Mayor of Binghamton, New York
In office
January 1, 2014 – December 31, 2021
Preceded byMatthew T. Ryan
Succeeded byJared M. Kraham
Personal details
Born (1976-05-14) May 14, 1976
Pittsford, New York, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
EducationAllendale Columbia School
Alma materSt. John Fisher College (BA)
Binghamton University (MPA)

Education and early career

David graduated from Allendale Columbia School in 1994.[1] He then attended St. John Fisher College where he studied communications and political science. While at St. John Fisher College, David worked as a production intern at a local television station.[2][3]

In 1998, David moved to Binghamton to start his career in journalism as a general assignment reporter for WBNG-TV. While covering local politics, he met then-Mayor Richard A. Bucci and became interested in public service. In 2000, Bucci appointed David as City Hall's Director of Community Relations, a position in the Mayor's Office that handled public information, media relations and constituent communications.[2]

In 2002, David received his Master of Public Administration from Binghamton University while working at City Hall.[4]

In 2004, David was appointed Deputy Mayor, a position that provides professional support and advises the Mayor in all matters related to the daily operation of city government. In 2006, David left local government as the term-limited Bucci administration came to an end. He was hired as public affairs officer at SUNY Broome Community College.[2]

In 2008, David and his development firm Confluence Enterprises completed work restoring a historic downtown Binghamton building into a loft apartment where David now resides, investing $250,000 in the revitalization effort. In subsequent years, Confluence Enterprises has invested in various real estate holdings and businesses in Binghamton.[5]

Mayoral campaigns

2009

David first ran for Mayor of Binghamton in 2009, attempting to unseat incumbent Matthew T. Ryan. In the general election, David ran on the Republican and Conservative lines against Ryan, who ran on the Democratic and Working Families Party lines, and third-party candidate Douglas Walter Drazen. David came in second place in the three-way race.[6]

Binghamton, New York Mayoral Election, 2009
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Matthew Ryan 3,660 36.0% N/A
Working Families Matthew Ryan 406 4.0% N/A
Total Matthew Ryan 4,006 40.0% N/A
Republican Rich David 3,589 35.4% N/A
Conservative Rich David 366 3.6% N/A
Total Rich David 3,955 38.9% N/A
Independence Douglas Walter Drazen 2,059 20.3% N/A
Turnout 10,157 N/A

2013

In 2013, four years after he had lost to Ryan, David again ran for Mayor of Binghamton. In the Republican primary, David received 939 votes—61 percent—beating challengers Douglas Walter Drazen with 433 votes and Edward Hickey with 164 votes.[7] In the general election, David beat Democratic Binghamton City Councilwoman Teri Rennia by 6.79% and was elected Mayor of Binghamton.[6]

Binghamton, New York Mayoral Election, 2013
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Richard C. David 4,206 47.02 N/A
Democratic Teri Rennia 4,074 45.54 N/A
Conservative Richard C. David 666 7.44 N/A
Turnout 8,946 N/A

2017

In 2017, Rich David ran on the Republican, Conservative, and Independence lines for reelection as Mayor of Binghamton. He was challenged by former Deputy Mayor Tarik Abdelazim, who ran on the Democratic and Working Families lines.

Binghamton, New York Mayoral Election, 2017
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Richard C. David 5,134 58.91 TBD
Democratic Tarik Abdelazim 3,572 40.99 TBD
Turnout 8,175 TBD

Mayoralty

David was sworn into office as Mayor of Binghamton on January 1, 2014.[8]

Law enforcement

One of David's major campaign promises was to increase the number of officers in the Binghamton Police Department which had been cut by 14 percent during the Ryan administration. David restored seven officers in his first year in office.[9]

Infrastructure

In 2014, Binghamton's $7 million infrastructure plan improved more than 11 center line miles of city streets. In 2015, city was set to receive 15 miles of street improvements as part of a $8 million plan.[10]

In 2015, David initiated a $4 million plan to convert the city's roughly 7,000 streetlights to LED technology.[11]

Budget management

As part of David's push for municipal budget stability, his first budget included a 0.48 percent residential property tax increase, the second-lowest increase in 17 years.[12][13]

References
  1. "A guide to faces to know around campus". Pipe Dream. June 22, 2018. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  2. Robinson, David. "Rich David: Binghamton mayoral candidate goes 'back to basic'". pressconnects.com. Press & Sun-Bulletin.
  3. Rahman, Tania; Wilson, Geoffrey. "Binghamton Mayor Rich David comes to campus, discusses his ascent to city hall". bupipedream.com. Binghamton University Pipe Dream.
  4. "Meet Rich David, Republican candidate for Binghamton mayor". Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  5. "More revitalization in downtown Binghamton".
  6. "Broome County Board of Elections" (PDF).
  7. "Broome County Board of Elections" (PDF).
  8. "David takes oath for Binghamton Mayor".
  9. "An early look at Mayor Rich David's State of the City address".
  10. "State of the City: 'Binghamton is back in the game'".
  11. "First LED streetlight bulbs go up in Binghamton".
  12. Howe, Steve. "David pushes for budget stability in Binghamton". pressconnects.com. Press & Sun-Bulletin.
  13. "David proposes Binghamton budget with 0.5% tax increase". pressconnects.com. Press & Sun-Bulletin.
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