James Hutchison

James L. "Hutch" Hutchison Sr. (born June 20, 1942) is an American politician. Hutchison served as the first full-time Mayor of Dover, Delaware from 1994 to 2004. Hutchison is a member of the Republican Party.

Career

Policing Hutchison served as the police chief of Dover prior to entering politics. He held Dover's at-large city council seat from 1993 to 1994.

In August 2011, Hutchison proposed lengthening the terms for the mayor and city council members from the current two-year term to four-years in office. Hutchison argued that the current election system, in which Dover's candidates must seek re-election every two years, is too expensive, costing the city approximately $10,000 per election. He told council that his proposal would save the city money and promote increased leadership among Dover's elected officials. Under his proposal, if enacted, the new four-year terms would be gradually phased in over a two-year period.