Kenneth Cockrel Jr.
Kenneth Vern Cockrel Jr. (born October 29, 1965) is an American journalist, nonprofit executive, businessman, and former politician who served as the 73rd mayor of Detroit, Michigan from September 2008 to May 2009. A member of the Democratic Party, Cockrel served as a member of the Detroit City Council from 1997 to 2008, and again from 2009 to 2013, and as the Council's president from 2005 to 2008 and May to December 2009.
Kenneth Cockrel Jr. | |
|---|---|
Cockrel in 2009 | |
| 73rd Mayor of Detroit | |
| In office September 19, 2008 – May 11, 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Kwame Kilpatrick |
| Succeeded by | Dave Bing |
| President of the Detroit City Council | |
| Preceded by | Maryann Mahaffey |
| Succeeded by | Monica Conyers |
| In office May 11, 2009 – December 31, 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Monica Conyers |
| Succeeded by | Charles Pugh |
| Member of the Detroit City Council | |
| In office 2009–2013 | |
| In office 1998–2008 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Kenneth Vern Cockrel Jr. October 29, 1965 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Kimberly Cockrel |
| Children | 5 |
| Residence(s) | Detroit, Michigan |
| Alma mater | Wayne State University |
| Profession | Journalist, Politician |
On September 17, 2008, Cockrel was sworn in as the city's interim mayor following Kwame Kilpatrick's resignation, with his term in office beginning September 19.
On May 5, 2009, former Detroit Pistons player and businessman Dave Bing defeated Cockrel 52% to 48% in a special election for Mayor of Detroit, to complete the rest of the term. On May 11, 2009, Bing was sworn in as the new Mayor of Detroit and Cockrel returned to his position as Council President. He was replaced as President for the following term, and sat as a regular council member. On April 23, 2013, he announced that he would not run for re-election.