John C. Daniels

Who is John C. Daniels?

John C. Daniels is a former mayor of New Haven, Connecticut, a position he held from 1990 to 1993.

Daniels was born in Macon, Georgia. He attended high school at James Hillhouse High School in New Haven, where he was a standout football player. He continued his education at Villanova University, where he had an athletic scholarship to play football and earned a bachelor's degree in economics, and Occidental College, where he earned a master's degree in urban studies.

A Democrat, Daniels served in the Connecticut State Senate. In 1989, he challenged incumbent New Haven mayor Democrat Biagio DiLieto in the Democratic primary. DeLieto chose not to run and, instead, supported his aide, John DeStefano, Jr. Daniels won the hotly contested primary which, in heavily Democratic New Haven, was tantamount to winning the general election. Daniels became the city's first African-American mayor. He was easily reelected in 1991. He stepped down after two terms and was succeeded by DeStefano.

Sometime in 1991 Mayor Daniels gave the Key To The City to B.B. King during a concert at Toad's Place in New Haven, CT. also present was his wife.