Adam Brannon
Political Science
At 22 years of age – less than a year after
graduating from The University of Findlay in 2007 – he became the youngest
mayor in Ohio by defeating a two-term incumbent in Bellefontaine. He won by 15
votes. Four years later, Brannon, a Democrat, cruised to re-election with 63
percent of the vote in a city where Republicans outnumber Democrats
three-to-one.
"Political
science has nothing to do with politics,” he said. “In local government you get
the job done and don’t worry about philosophies. We work closely with the
(Republican-controlled) city council. We try to make sure they understand what
we are doing because they authorize the expenditure of funds. If we both use
common sense we can compromise and get a little bit of what we want and we get
along real well for the city.”
"When I was in high school I
didn’t know The University of Findlay existed until I got a brochure in the
mail,” he said. “I went up there and was blown away. The Admissions people were
great. They knew my name and made me feel welcomed. I hadn’t gotten that from
other universities. I liked the atmosphere and decided to come here. When I got
here as a student, the people and professors really helped to pull more out of
me and knew what buttons to push to encourage me to get more work done.
“If it wasn’t for the professors I had and the people I knew
I wouldn’t have the life I have today, professionally or personally.”