Michael A. Gin (甄榮峰) is an American politician who served as mayor of Redondo Beach, California and was a Republican candidate in the special election to fill the seat in California's 36th congressional district left vacant by the resignation of Jane Harman.

Early life edit

Gin was born in the South Bay region of Los Angeles, California to Chinese American parents.[1]

Gin earned a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science from the University of Southern California in 1984.[2] In 2007, Gin completed Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government as a David Bohnett LGBTQ Victory Institute] Leadership Fellow.[3]

Career edit

Gin served on the Redondo Beach City Council from 1995 to 2003.[4] In May 2005, he was elected mayor of Redondo Beach after receiving 61% of the vote in a runoff election against councilman and fellow Republican Gerard Bisignano.[4] Gin faced no opposition during his mayoral re-election bid in March 2009.[5]

On March 1, 2011, Gin announced that he would be a candidate in the special election to fill the seat in California's 36th congressional district left vacant by the resignation of Jane Harman.[6] He finished fifth in the May 17, 2011 primary election.[7]

Personal edit

Gin and his husband, Christopher Kreidel, married in California in 2008.[8]

References edit

  1. ^ Bajko, Matthew S. (March 3, 2011). "Gay CA GOP Mayor of Redondo Beach Mike Gin makes Congressional bid official". Bay Area Reporter. Retrieved May 21, 2011.
  2. ^ Gunji, Nao (April 7, 2010). "Meet the Mayor". Redondo Beach Patch. Retrieved May 21, 2011.
  3. ^ "White House to Honor Redondo Mayor Mike Gin". 21 May 2013.
  4. ^ a b Alanez, Tonya (May 19, 2005). "Anti-Gay Strategy Backfired". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 21, 2011.
  5. ^ Teetor, Paul (June 3, 2009). "Mike Gin, Redondo Beach's Chinese-American, Rotarian, Gay Mayor". LA Weekly. Archived from the original on November 8, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2011.
  6. ^ Merl, Jean (March 2, 2011). "Redondo Beach mayor joins crowded race to succeed Rep. Jane Harman". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 21, 2011.
  7. ^ Merl, Jean (May 18, 2011). "Janice Hahn, Craig Huey appear headed for Congress seat runoff". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 21, 2011.
  8. ^ Bajko, Matthew S. (March 3, 2011). "Gay Republican to Seek Congressional Seat". Bay Area Reporter. Retrieved May 21, 2011.