Gerald Jennings

Gerald David "Jerry" Jennings (born July 31, 1948) is an American former politician from the state of New York who was the 74th mayor of Albany. A Democrat, Jennings won five terms as mayor of Albany and served in that capacity for 20 years. At the time of his retirement in 2013, Jennings was the second longest tenured mayor in the city's history. Background and early career Born in North Albany, Gerald "Jerry" Jennings began his career in the Albany City School District after graduating with a bachelor's degree from SUNY Brockport in 1970 and a Master of Science degree from the University at Albany in 1976. Jennings served for 13 years on the Albany Common Council representing the 11th Ward. Mayor of Albany Jennings won an upset in the 1993 Democratic mayoral primary—the real contest in this heavily Democratic city—over Harold Joyce, who had the Democratic Party’s formal endorsement and had only recently been its chairman. He went on to win the general election, becoming the 74th mayor of Albany. Jennings was re-elected four times and retired as mayor at the end of 2013.