Atlantic City, New Jersey Atlantic City, often known by its initials A.C., is a coastal resort city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. The city is known for its casinos, boardwalk, and beaches. In 2020, the city had a population of 38,497.

was incorporated on May 1, 1854. It is governed within the

Faulkner Act The Optional Municipal Charter Law or Faulkner Act (, et seq.) provides New Jersey municipalities with a variety of models of local government. This legislation is called the Faulkner Act in honor of the late Bayard H. Faulkner, former mayor ...

(formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law) under the Mayor-Council system of municipal government (Plan D), implemented by direct petition effective as of July 1, 1982.''2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book'', Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 12. The City Council is the governing body of Atlantic City. There are nine Council members, who are elected to serve for a term of four years, one from each of six wards and three serving at-large. The City Council exercises the legislative power of the municipality for the purpose of holding Council meetings to introduce ordinances and resolutions to regulate City government. In addition, Council members review budgets submitted by the Mayor; provide for an annual audit of the city's accounts and financial transactions; organize standing committees and hold public hearings to address important issues which impact Atlantic City. Former Mayor Bob Levy created the Atlantic City Ethics Board in 2007, but the Board was dissolved two years later by vote of the Atlantic City Council. Since its incorporation in 1854, the town has had 41 mayors.

Mayors

{, class="wikitable sortable" ! align=center, # ! Mayor ! Term start ! Term end ! Terms ! Notes ! class=unsortable, ! style="border-left-style:hidden;padding:0.1em 0em", Party , - , align=center, , Chalkley Steelman Leeds , , 1856 , align=center, 2 , bgcolor=, , None , , This was his first term. , - , align=center, ,

Richard Hackett (mayor) Richard Cecil "Dick" Hackett (born July 21, 1949) was mayor of the city of Memphis, Tennessee from 1982 to 1991. He also served as Shelby County (Tennessee) Clerk from 1978 to 1982. At the time that he took office as mayor, he was 33 years ol ...

, 1856 , 1856 , align=center, , bgcolor=, , None , , - , align=center, , John George Washington Avery , 1856 , 1857 , align=center, 1 , bgcolor=, , None , , - , align=center, , Lewis Reed , 1857 , 1861 , align=center, 4 , bgcolor=, , None , , - , align=center, , James Harper , 1861 , 1862 , align=center, 1 , bgcolor=, , None , , - , align=center, , Chalkley Steelman Leeds , 1862 , 1863 , align=center, 1 , bgcolor=, , None , This was his second term. , - , align=center, ,

Jacob Middleton Jacob "Jake" Middleton (born January 2, 1996) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenseman for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was originally drafted 210th overall (the last pick in the draft) by the Los Angeles Kin ...

, 1863 , 1865 , align=center, 2 , bgcolor=, , None , , - , align=center, ,

Robert T. Evard The name Robert is an ancient Germanic given name, from Proto-Germanic "fame" and "bright" (''Hrōþiberhtaz''). Compare Old Dutch ''Robrecht'' and Old High German ''Hrodebert'' (a compound of '' Hruod'' ( non, Hróðr) "fame, glory, honou ...

, 1865 , 1866 , align=center, 1 , bgcolor=, , Republican , , - , align=center, , David W. Belisle , 1866 , 1868 , align=center, 2 , bgcolor=, , Republican , , - , align=center, ,

Lemuel G. Eldridge Lemuel is a Hebrew name, meaning "devoted to God", which may refer to: In religion * Lemuel (biblical king), mentioned in the Book of Proverbs, Chapter 31 * Lemuel (Book of Mormon), the second eldest of Lehi's sons and the brother of Laman, Sam, ...

, 1868 , 1868 , align=center, Partial , bgcolor=, , Republican , , - , align=center, , John James Gardner , 1868 , 1872 , align=center, 4 , bgcolor=, , Republican , , - , align=center, ,

Charles Souder Charles is a masculine given name predominantly found in English and French speaking countries. It is from the French form ''Charles'' of the Proto-Germanic name (in runic alphabet) or ''*karilaz'' (in Latin alphabet), whose meaning was " ...

, 1872 , 1874 , align=center, 2 , bgcolor=, , Republican , , - , align=center, , John James Gardner , 1874 , 1876 , align=center, 2 , bgcolor=, , Republican , , - , align=center, , Willard Wright , 1876 , 1878 , align=center, 2 , bgcolor=, ,

Democratic Democrat, Democrats, or Democratic may refer to: Politics *A proponent of democracy, or democratic government; a form of government involving rule by the people. *A member of a Democratic Party: **Democratic Party (United States) (D) **Democratic ...

, , - , align=center, , John L. Bryant , 1878 , 1879 , align=center, 1 , bgcolor=, , Republican , , - , align=center, , Willard Wright , 1879 , 1880 , align=center, 1 , bgcolor=, , Democratic , , - , align=center, ,

Harry L. Slape Harry may refer to: TV shows * ''Harry'' (American TV series), a 1987 American comedy series starring Alan Arkin * ''Harry'' (British TV series), a 1993 BBC drama that ran for two seasons * ''Harry'' (talk show), a 2016 American daytime talk show ...

, 1880 , 1881 , align=center, 1 , bgcolor=, , Republican , , - , align=center, , Willard Wright , 1881 , 1882 , align=center, 1 , bgcolor=, , Democratic , , - , align=center, , Charles Maxwell , 1882 , 1885 , align=center, 3 , bgcolor=, , Republican , , - , align=center, , Thomas C. Garrett , 1885 , 1887 , align=center, 2 , bgcolor=, , Republican , , - , align=center, , Samuel D. Hoffman , 1887 , 1891 , align=center, 4 , bgcolor=, , Republican , , - , align=center, , Willard Wright , 1891 , 1894 , align=center, 3 , bgcolor=, , Democratic , , - , align=center, ,

Franklin Pierce Stoy Franklin Pierce Stoy (January 23, 1853 – July 22, 1911) was the Mayor of Atlantic City, New Jersey from 1894–1897 and again from 1900 to 1911. Stoy became a Councilman at Large of the local government in 1891 and, three years later, was elect ...

, 1894 , 1897 , align=center, 3 , bgcolor=, , Republican , (January 23, 1853 – July 22, 1911). He became a Councilman at Large of the local government in 1891 and, three years later, was elected chief executive. Known as the "Dandy Mayor,". He died in office in his second term of neuritis on July 22, 1911. , - , align=center, , Joseph Thompson , 1897 , 1900 , align=center, 3 , bgcolor=, , Democratic , , - , align=center, ,

† , 1900 , 1911 , align=center, 3 , bgcolor=, , Republican , He became a Councilman at Large of the local government in 1891 and, three years later, was elected chief executive. Known as the "Dandy Mayor,". He died in office in his second term of neuritis on July 22, 1911. , - , align=center, ,

George Carmany George may refer to: People * George (given name) * George (surname) * George (singer), American-Canadian singer George Nozuka, known by the mononym George * George Washington, First President of the United States * George W. Bush, 43rd President ...

, 1911 , 1912 , align=center, Partial , bgcolor=, , Republican , , - , align=center, ,

Harry Bacharach Harry Bacharach (October 24, 1873 – May 13, 1947) was the Mayor of Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1912 for 6 months, and from 1916 to 1920, and again from 1930 to 1935. A Republican, he also served as a city commissioner. Biography Bacharach was b ...

, 1912 , 1912 , align=center, 1 , bgcolor=, , Republican , , - , align=center, ,

William Riddle William is a masculine given name of Norman French origin.Hanks, Hardcastle and Hodges, ''Oxford Dictionary of First Names'', Oxford University Press, 2nd edition, , p. 276. It became very popular in the English language after the Norman conqu ...

, 1912 , 1916 , align=center, 1 , bgcolor=, , Democratic , , - , align=center, ,

, 1916 , 1920 , align=center, 1 , bgcolor=, , Republican , , - , align=center, ,

Edward Lawrence Bader Edward Lawrence Bader (June 8, 1874 – January 29, 1927) was an American politician who served as Mayor of Atlantic City, New Jersey for much of the Roaring Twenties, when the city was arguably at the peak of its popularity as a vacation spo ...

† , 1920 , 1927 , align=center, 2 , bgcolor=, , Republican , He died in office. , - , align=center, , Anthony Ruffu, Jr. , 1927 , 1930 , align=center, 1 , bgcolor=, , Republican , , - , align=center, , Joseph A. Paxson , 1930 , 1930 , align=center, Partial , bgcolor=, , Republican , , - , align=center, ,

, 1930 , 1935 , align=center, 1 , bgcolor=, , Republican , , - , align=center, , Charles D. White , 1935 , 1940 , align=center, 1 , bgcolor=, , Republican , , - , align=center, , Thomas D. Taggart, Jr. , 1940 , 1944 , align=center, 1 , bgcolor=, , Democratic , , - , align=center, , Joseph Altman (mayor) † , 1944 , 1967 , align=center, 6 , bgcolor=, , Republican , He died in office. He served for years. Joseph Altman is the longest-serving mayor of Atlantic City, New Jersey. , - , align=center, ,

Richard S. Jackson Richard is a male given name. It originates, via Old French, from Old Frankish and is a compound of the words descending from Proto-Germanic ''*rīk-'' 'ruler, leader, king' and ''*hardu-'' 'strong, brave, hardy', and it therefore means 'stron ...

, 1967 , 1969 , align=center, Partial , bgcolor=, , Republican , , - , align=center, ,

William Thomas Somers William Thomas Somers (June 19, 1916March 14, 1994) was the 26th mayor of Atlantic City, New Jersey, from 1969 to 1972. Biography He was born on June 19, 1916, in Atlantic City, New Jersey Atlantic City, often known by its initials A.C., is ...

, 1969 , 1972 , align=center, 1 , bgcolor=, , Democratic , , - , align=center, ,

Joseph Bradway, Jr. Joseph is a common male given name, derived from the Hebrew Yosef (יוֹסֵף). "Joseph" is used, along with "Josef", mostly in English, French and partially German languages. This spelling is also found as a variant in the languages of the mo ...

, 1972 , 1976 , align=center, 1 , bgcolor=, , Republican , , - , align=center, ,

Joseph Lazarow Joseph Aaron Lazarow (December 17, 1923 – January 3, 2008) was an American politician from New Jersey, who served as the Mayor of Atlantic City, New Jersey from 1976 to 1982, during the period when casino gambling was introduced to the strugglin ...

, 1976 , 1982 , align=center, 1 , bgcolor=, , Republican , , - , align=center, ,

Michael J. Matthews Michael J. Matthews (January 7, 1934 – January 2, 2014) was an American politician who was the Mayors of Atlantic City, New Jersey, mayor of Atlantic City, New Jersey from 1982 to 1984.''Manual of Legislature of New Jersey'', 1983. A member of ...

, 1982 , 1984 , align=center, , bgcolor=, , Democratic , , - , align=center, ,

James Leroy Usry James Leroy Usry (February 2, 1922 – January 25, 2002) was the first African-American Mayor of Atlantic City, New Jersey. He was also a professional basketball player. Biography He was born on February 2, 1922, in Athens, Georgia. Usry graduat ...

, 1984 , 1990 , align=center, 1 , bgcolor=, , Republican , First African-American Mayor , - , align=center, , Jim Whelan , 1990 , 2002 , align=center, 3 , bgcolor=, , Democratic , , - , align=center, , Lorenzo Langford , 2002 , 2006 , align=center, 1 , bgcolor=, , Democratic , , - , align=center, , Robert Levy , 2006 , 2007 , align=center, Partial , bgcolor=, , Democratic , , - , align=center, , Scott Evans , 2007 , 2008 , align=center, Partial , bgcolor=, , Democratic , , - , align=center, , Lorenzo Langford"Langford back as Atlantic City mayor"
''The Press of Atlantic City'', November 5, 2008 , 2008 , 2014 , align=center, 1 , bgcolor=, , Democratic , , - , align=center, ,

Don Guardian Donald A. Guardian (born June 12, 1953) is an American Republican Party politician who has represented 2nd Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly since taking office on January 11, 2022, when he became the first openly gay Re ...

, 2014 , 2018 , align=center, 1 , bgcolor=, , Republican , , - , align=center, , Frank Gilliam , 2018 , 2019 , align=center, Partial , bgcolor=, , Democratic , Gilliam resigned as mayor on October 3, 2019, following pleading guilty to wire fraud earlier that day in Federal Court , - , align=center, ,

Marty Small Sr. Marty Small Sr. (born March 25, 1974) is an American politician who is the current mayor of Atlantic City, New Jersey. He was elected 8-0 by a vote of the Atlantic City city council after the previous mayor Frank Gilliam resigned upon pleading ...

, 2019 , Present , align=center, Partial , bgcolor={{party color, Democratic Party (United States), , Democratic , Will serve as Acting Mayor for an unexpired term ending on December 31, 2020 " Atlantic City Council votes Small, state 'won't miss a beat' with new mayor"
The Press of Atlantic City'', October 15, 2019. , -

References

Atlantic City Atlantic City, often known by its initials A.C., is a coastal resort city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. The city is known for its casinos, Boardwalk (entertainment district), boardwalk, and beaches. In 2020 United States censu ...

History of Atlantic City, New Jersey