Washington, DC – In a special election held by its Board of Directors on December 19, the National League of Cities (NLC) elected Mayor Van Johnson of Savannah, Georgia as its new second vice president. The Board also announced Mayor Steve Patterson of Athens, Ohio as NLC’s new president, and Councilmember Kevin Kramer of Louisville, Kentucky as its new first vice president, effective January 2, 2025.
The special election, held by NLC’s Board of Directors in accordance with the organization’s bylaws, follows the unsuccessful reelection of current NLC President and Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome of Baton Rouge, Louisiana in her mayoral runoff election on December 7. Because members must currently hold a position in elected office to serve on the NLC Board of Directors, Weston Broome will resign her position as NLC president when her mayoral term concludes on January 2, 2025.
“It has been the honor of my life to serve as Mayor-President of Baton Rouge and within NLC’s leadership as an officer and a member of the Board,” said NLC President Sharon Weston Broome, Mayor of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. “NLC has provided so much to me throughout my career, and I express my immense gratitude to each of its members for their leadership, partnership and friendship over the years. Though I will no longer serve as president, I remain committed to working in service of America’s communities wherever and however I am called, in pursuit of advocating for and protecting the interests of our cities, towns and villages.”
Beginning January 2, Patterson will serve a one-year term with a special focus on uplifting the voices and priorities of America’s cities, towns and villages to a new presidential administration and a new Congress in 2025.
“NLC has been the leading voice of local government for over a century now, and I am honored to serve as its next president,” said NLC Incoming President Steve Patterson, Mayor of Athens, Ohio. “I am so grateful to President Weston Broome for her incredible leadership over her many years of public service. As we head into the new year, I look forward to building upon the success of NLC’s centennial year, and working closely with the amazing local leaders that serve on our Board of Directors and within our membership during this important time for America’s cities, towns and villages.”
Patterson has served on the NLC Board of Directors for three years and is a former Chair of both the NLC University Communities Council and the NLC Race, Equity and Leaderships Council. Prior to becoming mayor in 2016, Patterson served as an at-large councilmember for the City of Athens for two terms.
The 2025 NLC Board of Directors was elected at the organization’s Annual Business Meeting at its City Summit conference in Tampa in November.
###
The National League of Cities (NLC) is the voice of America’s cities, towns and villages, representing more than 200 million people across the country. NLC works to strengthen local leadership, influence federal policy and drive innovative solutions. Stay connected with NLC on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Instagram.