Linda Thompson

In 2001, Thompson was elected to serve on the Harrisburg City Council. She was re-elected and appointed President of City Council in 2005. Thompson decided not to run for re-election in 2009 and instead ran for the Democratic nomination for Mayor.

While on council, Thompson introduced legislation to sell off city-owned Western artifacts in order to raise money to pay down debts. She also amended the 2009 budget to include $100,000 to pay for a city-wide bulk trash pickup.

In the May primary, Thompson beat former mayor Stephen R. Reed by nearly 1,000 votes to win the election. She then went on to win against Republican challenger Nevin Mindlin becoming the first female and first black mayor.