Daniel Rickenmann

Daniel Rickenmann (born 1969/1970) is an American businessman and politician, serving as the 71st mayor of Columbia, South Carolina.

Early life and education Born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Rickenmann is the son of immigrants from Switzerland. He attended the University of South Carolina in 1987.

Political career

2004 City council election In 2004, Rickenmann was elected as an at-Large representative for Columbia City Council. He held the position until 2013 when he chose not to run for reelection. He ran again for city council in 2017, winning the election as a representative from Columbia's fourth district.

2021 mayoral election After confirmation in February 2021 that incumbent Mayor Stephen K. Benjamin would not seek re-election, Rickenmann announced his bid for the office. Other candidates were At-Large Columbia City Councilwoman Tameika Isaac Devine, attorney Sam Johnson, and former Columbia City Councilman Moe Baddourah. On November 16, 2021, Rickenmann won the runoff election against Isaac Devine with 52% to 48% of the vote. He was sworn in as mayor of Columbia on January 4, 2022.

U.S. airmen assigned to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing listen to Rickenmann (left) during a mayoral delegation visit within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, November 20, 2024. Rickenmann ranked Number 2 in The Post and Courier Columbia Power List 2023. and 2024. He ranked number 6 on the Post and Courier Columbia's 2025 Power List.

While candidates for the office of mayor in Columbia, South Carolina, are officially non-partisan, Rickenmann is a Republican. Conversely, his opponent in the 2021 election, Tameika Isaac Devine, is a Democrat. Devine was endorsed by former U.S. president Barack Obama and House Whip Jim Clyburn. Previously, Columbia had historically voted for Democratic candidates, including Joe Biden for U.S. president by nearly 40 points. Its two previous mayors, Bob Coble and Steve Benjamin, were Democrats.

Endorsements In June 2023, Rickenmann endorsed Tim Scott in the 2024 United States presidential election.

2025 Mayoral election In March 2025, Rickenmann announced his re-election bid for Mayor. He faced challenges from Jessica Thomas and Wade Fulmer Jr., and won re-election on November 4, 2025.

Mayoral race endorsements Rickenmann was endorsed by The State Newspaper.

Rickenmann and other city officials was sworn in on January 5, 2026.

National leadership

On June 7, 2026, Rickenmann was elected 2nd Vice President of the United States Conference of Mayors.

Electoral history