John Antaramian

John Martin Antaramian (born September 21, 1954) is an Armenian-American businessman and politician serving as the mayor of Kenosha, Wisconsin. Prior to his election in 2016, Antaramian had served as mayor for 16 years and was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly.[1]

John Antaramian
48th and 50th Mayor of Kenosha
Incumbent
Assumed office April 19, 2016
Preceded by	Keith Bosman
In office April 1992 – April 15, 2008
Preceded by	Patrick Moran
Succeeded by	Keith Bosman
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
In office January 3, 1985 – January 4, 1993
Preceded by	Joanne Huelsman
Succeeded by	Robert Wirch
Constituency	65th district
In office January 3, 1983 – January 3, 1985
Preceded by	Thomas A. Hauke
Succeeded by	Thomas A. Hauke
Constituency	23rd district
Personal details
Born	John Martin Antaramian September 21, 1954 Kenosha, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Linda
Children	2
Education	University of Wisconsin, Parkside (BS)

Early life and education

Born and raised in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Antaramian earned a Bachelor of Science in economics and business management from the University of Wisconsin–Parkside in 1977.[2]

Career

Antaramian served in the Wisconsin State Assembly for ten years.[3] In 1992, Antaramian was elected Mayor of Kenosha, Wisconsin and served for sixteen years.[4] In 2008, he retired and started a consulting business. He was a visiting professor at Carthage College before returning to the mayoral office in 2016.[5]

Shooting of Jacob Blake

Following the unrest which occurred in the aftermath of the shooting of Jacob Blake in August 2020, Antaramian requested the presence of the Wisconsin National Guard in Kenosha.[6] Looting, damage and destruction of vehicles, businesses and public facilities such as the local county register of deeds, the Dinosaur Museum, the local post office, Walter Reuther Central High School, Harborside Academy charter school, and Gilbert M. Simmons Memorial Library were reported in Kenosha during the unrest.[7][8][9][10]

Hundreds of protesters later forced Antaramian to relocate his press conference on the shooting from a local park to the city's public safety building, where the protestors were contained by police with pepper spray after tearing the building's front entrance door from its hinges.[11]

See also

• List of mayors of Kenosha, Wisconsin

References

1. "The Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians: Andrey to Anthonis". politicalgraveyard.com. Retrieved 2020-08-27.
2. "HOME | Citizens For Antaramian". Landing Page. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
3. http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/dictionary/index.asp?action=view&term_id=2442&search=antaramian
4. "Antaramian new mayor of Kenosha". Racine Journal Times. 1992-04-08. Retrieved 2019-04-10.
5. http://www.wibuilder.com/wb-august-2008/peer-review.html%5B%5D
6. Peiser, Jaclyn; Berman, Mark; Guarino, Mark; Firozi, Paulina; Witte, Griff. "After video shows Wisconsin police shooting a Black man multiple times, National Guard is called to Kenosha". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2020-08-27.
7. Flores, Terry (August 25, 2020). "WATCH NOW: Authorities respond to multiple fires, vandalism and looting as Kenosha reels from Blake shooting". Kenosha News. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
8. Bosman, Julie; Mervosh, Sarah (August 24, 2020). "Wisconsin Reels After Police Shooting and Night of Protest". New York Times. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
9. Jones, Sophie Carson and Meg. "Businesses damaged, vehicles burned in Wisconsin after Kenosha police officer shoots Black man". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2020-08-27.
10. Smith, Deneen (August 24, 2020). "Kenosha residents, local government cleaning up in aftermath of civil unrest". Kenosha News. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
11. Press, Tammy Webber, The Associated Press, Morry Gash, The Associated (2020-08-25). "Wisconsin National Guard called out after police shoot Black man". Military Times. Retrieved 2020-08-27.