Ken Wilcox
Ken Willcox | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Wayzata | |
| In office January 5, 2009 – January 12, 2021 | |
| Succeeded by | Johanna Mouton |
| Member of The Wayzata City Council | |
| In office January 5, 2005 – January 5, 2009 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Kenneth Willcox 81 Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Political party | Independent |
| Spouse(s) | Winnie Willcox (Undated.) |
| Education | Williams College (AB) University of Minnesota (MBA) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy |
| Service years | 1968–1998 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant |
| Unit | United States Navy |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards |  Purple Heart Medal  Meritorious Service Medal |
Ken Willcox.[1][2] is a decorated American soldier and an American politician. Willcox served in the Vietnam War where he earned a Purple Heart Medal and media attention for his courage during a naval ambush.[3][4] After his decorated service in Vietnam, Willcox served in naval bases across the world before becoming a Senior Logistician at the U.S. Navy Supply Corps School in Hawaii.
After his retirement from the Navy in 1998, Willcox started his own business. In 2004, Willcox entered politics by running for Wayzata City Council. Willcox had a long political career, serving as a member of the Wayzata City Council from 2005 to 2009 and as Mayor of Wayzata from 2009 to 2021. Following 16 years serving as an elected official, Willcox announced in 2020 that he would not run for another term as mayor. Willcox has expressed a desire serve in an elected capacity again if called upon.[5]
Early life and Military Career
Ken Willcox was born in 1945 in southwest Minneapolis. He graduated from The Blake School in 1963. After attending Williams College and the University of Minnesota, Willcox became a sales manager at a local manufacturing company.[6][7]
In 1968, Willcox was drafted into the United States Navy. During the Vietnam War, Willcox served on the USS Carronade. During a military engagement with enemy forces, Willcox showed bravery and sustained many injuries. Willcox survived and gained a Purple Heart, and later the Meritorious Service Medal, for his actions during the Vietnam War.[8] Willcox's actions gained him significant media attention, mostly at home in Minnesota. Following a significant decline in his popularity and the end of the Vietnam War, Willcox served on other Navy ships and other bases across the world[9]. After a decade more of active duty service, Willcox became an instructor at the U.S. Navy Supply Corps School in Hawaii. At the U.S. Navy Supply Corps School, Willcox served as a Senior Logistician. Willcox specialized in teaching Navy trainees on Naval strategies in the Pacific Ocean.[10] Willcox's actions gained him significant media attention, mostly at home in Minnesota. Following a significant decline in his popularity and the end of the Vietnam War, Willcox served on other Navy ships and other bases across the world. In 1998, after 30 years of decorated service in the Navy, Willcox retired.
Business Career
Following his career in the Navy, Willcox ran his own businesses in Minnesota. Willcox served as the Vice President and Co-owner of the company, which specialised in transportation, until his retirement in 2017[11]
Political Career
In 2004, Willcox stated his intention to run for Wayzata City Council. That year, there was only one open seat on the City Council. It was a close election. Willcox won by placing first against businessman John Berns and independent candidate Jim Gooley. Willcox was officially sworn in as a councilman on in January 2005.[12]
In 2008, Willcox decided not to run for reelection as a member of the Wayzata City Council. Instead, Willcox sought the Wayzata mayor's office as an Independent. His illustrious military career sought renewed attention during the election, propelling him to an unopposed victory.
In 2012, Willcox announced that he would be seeking reelection as Mayor of Wayzata. Due to extreme popularity during his first term as mayor, Willcox saw no opponents during the election.[13]
In 2016 Willcox, despite his continued popularity, originally declined to run for a third term as Mayor of Wayzata. A local campaign was started to convince Willcox to run again.[14] The campaign was successful and Willcox reversed his decision by announcing his candidacy for reelection for Mayor of Wayzata. Mayor Willcox went on to win his biggest victory yet in another unopposed election.
In 2020, support was strong for Willcox to run again for a fourth term as Wayzata's mayor. However, Willcox announced that he would not seek another term.[15] Willcox official last day as mayor was December 20th, 2020. Willcox remained de facto Mayor of Wayzata until January 12, 2021 when his term ended and the new mayor was sworn in.
Tenure
Wilcox, as an independent, maintained a bipartisan record while serving as mayor. Wayzata, a affluent suburb of Minneapolis and the cultural center of Lake Minnetonka, was hit hard by the 2008 recession. Willcox helped rejuvenate the city by making it one of the most powerful cities in Minnesota, despite its size. Wilcox was had an extremely high approval rating throughout his 12 years as mayor. This extremely high popularity led him to win many local awards for his mayoral service.[16] At the height of his political career, Willcox considered seeking other political offices such as U.S. Congressman. Despite his retirement from politics in 2021, Willcox has not ruled out any future run.[17]
Electoral history
{{Election box candidate with party link no change| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| style="background-color: {{Template:Independent/meta/color}}; width: 2px;" | | [[Independent|{{Template:Independent/meta/shortname}}]] | Ken Wilcox | 1,244 | 36.7% |
| candidate = John Berns | party = Republican Party (United States) | votes = 1,211 | percentage = 35.7% | |
| style="background-color: {{Template:Democrat/meta/color}}; width: 2px;" | | [[Democrat|{{Template:Democrat/meta/shortname}}]] | Jim Gooley | 933 | 27.5% |
| Total votes | 3,388 | 100 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| style="background-color: {{Template:Independent/meta/color}}; width: 2px;" | | [[Independent|{{Template:Independent/meta/shortname}}]] | Ken Wilcox | 1,803 | 100% |
| Total votes | 1,803 | 100 | ||
| Independent gain from Republican | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| style="background-color: {{Template:Independent/meta/color}}; width: 2px;" | | [[Independent|{{Template:Independent/meta/shortname}}]] | Ken Wilcox | 1,824 | 100% |
| Total votes | 1,824 | 100 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| style="background-color: {{Template:Independent/meta/color}}; width: 2px;" | | [[Independent|{{Template:Independent/meta/shortname}}]] | Ken Wilcox | 2,226 | 100% |
| Total votes | 2,226 | 100 | ||
References
- ↑ "Ken Willcox". linkedin.com. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
- ↑ "Wayzata Mayor: Ken Willcox". swnewsmedia.com. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
- ↑ "Wayzata Mayor: Ken Willcox". swnewsmedia.com. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
- ↑ "Election 2012: Ken Willcox, Mayor of Wayzata". patch.com. Missing or empty
|url=(help) - ↑ "A talk with outgoing Wayzata Mayor Ken Willcox". hometownsource.com. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
- ↑ "A talk with outgoing Wayzata Mayor Ken Willcox". hometownsource.com. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
- ↑ "Ken Willcox". linkedin.com. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
- ↑ "Ken Willcox". linkedin.com. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
- ↑ "Ken Willcox". linkedin.com. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
- ↑ "Ken Willcox". linkedin.com. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
- ↑ "Ken Willcox". linkedin.com. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
- ↑ "Wayzata City Council Member Johanna McCarthy Running For Mayor". Wayzata.com. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
- ↑ "Wayzata City Council Member Johanna McCarthy Running For Mayor". Wayzata.com. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
- ↑ "Wayzata City Council Member Johanna McCarthy Running For Mayor". Wayzata.com. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
- ↑ "A talk with outgoing Wayzata Mayor Ken Willcox". hometownsource.com. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
- ↑ "A talk with outgoing Wayzata Mayor Ken Willcox". hometownsource.com. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
- ↑ "A talk with outgoing Wayzata Mayor Ken Willcox". hometownsource.com. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
- ↑ "Wayzata City Council Member Johanna McCarthy Running For Mayor". Wayzata.com. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
- ↑ "Wayzata City Council Member Johanna McCarthy Running For Mayor". Wayzata.com. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
- ↑ "Wayzata City Council Member Johanna McCarthy Running For Mayor". Wayzata.com. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
- ↑ "Wayzata City Council Member Johanna McCarthy Running For Mayor". Wayzata.com. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
Ken Willcox
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