Jim Luken
55th Mayor of Cincinnati
In office
1976–1977
Preceded byBobbie L. Sterne
Succeeded byJerry Springer
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives
from the 24th district
In office
January 3, 1973  December 31, 1976
Preceded byDale Schmidt
Succeeded byTerry Tranter
Personal details
Born(1921-12-31)December 31, 1921
DiedJuly 12, 1979(1979-07-12) (aged 57)
Cincinnati, Ohio
Resting placeNew St. Joseph Cemetery[1]
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseIda Smith[1]
RelationsTom Luken (brother)

James T. Luken (December 31, 1921 – July 12, 1979) was an American politician and labor union leader of the Democratic party, who served as mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio, in the 1970s.

Career

After graduating from Norwood High School, Luken started a milk delivery route in 1941. At age 26, he was elected president of the Milk and Ice Cream Drivers and Dairy Workers Local 98 and would continue to serve in that role for the rest of his life.[2] The Milk Driver's Union was a subsidiary of the Teamsters. Luken was one of the few Teamsters who stood up to the corrupt leadership of Teamsters President Jimmy Hoffa. Luken withdrew the dairy workers from the Teamsters Union and testified against Hoffa before the United States Senate.

Luken served in the Ohio House of Representatives and on the Cincinnati city council before becoming mayor.

Personal life

Luken was one of eight children in his family.[2] His brother Tom Luken and his nephew Charlie Luken, both served as U.S. representatives and mayors of Cincinnati.

Headstone

Luken died in 1979 and is interred at New St. Joseph Cemetery.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "L Interments - St. Joseph New Cemetery". Archived from the original on 2012-07-27. Retrieved 2012-07-09.
  2. 1 2 "Jim Luken Dies, Former Mayor, Labor Leader". The Cincinnati Enquirer. July 12, 1979. p. A-1 via Newspapers.com.
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