James Hutchison

Who is James Hutchison?

James L. "Hutch" Hutchison Sr. is an American politician. Hutchison served as the first full-time Mayor of Dover, Delaware, from 1994 to 2004. Hutchison is a member of the Republican Party. However, Dover's mayoral office is officially nonpartisan.

Hutchison, a native of Dover, graduated from Dover High School in 1961. He received an associate's degree in criminal justice from Delaware Technical & Community College in 1987.

Hutchison served as the police chief of Dover prior to entering politics. He held Dover's at-large city council seat from 1993 to 1994.

In 1994, Hutchison was elected Dover's first full-time mayor. He was sworn into office on May 9, 1994, following the end of Mayor Aaron Knopf's term. He retired from office on May 10, 2004, when he was succeeded by Stephen Speed.

Hutchinson ran for the Delaware Senate in the 17th District in 2008, but lost the election to Democrat Brian Bushweller.

Hutchison announced his candidacy for an open seat in the Dover City Council in January 2011. He ran for the open 1st city council district seat, which was being vacated by retiring City Council President Ken Hogan.