Mayor Jessica Ancona - Democratic Mayors

Mayor Jessica Ancona held her State of the City address, focusing on how the city was able to recover from the pandemic and the resiliency of local government agencies and staff during the past year.

“Our staff has done an incredible job; when a lot of companies, schools, were shutting down, government agencies were expected to step up to plate and meet the needs of their communities. I want to thank our staff because they continued to work tirelessly to meet the needs of our residents. Everything we were able to do as a city wouldn’t have happened without you,” said Mayor Ancona.

Her priorities over the past year have included community development initiatives, affordable housing projects, economic development, public work initiatives, and more.

In 2021, Mayor Ancona and her Council served over 50,000 meals, provided $450,000 in rental assistance, $220,000 in rapid rehousing assistance, $218,00 in emergency shelter and hotel vouchers, and $550,000 in small business grants.

More State of the City Addresses

Akron, Ohio

Mayor Shammas Malik

During his third State of the City Address, Mayor Shammas Malik outlined a sweeping vision for Akron’s future centered on collaboration, innovation, and community investment. The speech highlighted major new initiatives across housing, public safety, youth opportunity, sustainability, and economic development, all tied together through the city’s “Together for Akron” framework.

Evansville, Indiana

Mayor Stephanie Terry

In her third State of the City Address, Mayor Stephanie Terry reflected on a year defined by steady progress and continued work to build a vibrant, inclusive community where safety, opportunity, and connection help all residents thrive. Speaking under the theme “Building What Matters,” she emphasized that the city’s progress is driven by people—city employees, partners, and residents—who continue to show up and invest in Evansville’s future.

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Mayor Paige Cognetti

Scranton Mayor Paige G. Cognetti delivered her State of the City Address, outlining a six-year turnaround that has taken the city from the brink of financial distress to a position of stability and growth, while continuing investments in public safety, infrastructure, quality of life, and lower costs for residents. Mayor Cognetti also highlighted Scranton’s financial progress, including three credit rating upgrades since exiting financially distressed status in 2022 and achieving its current A- rating with a stable outlook.