Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. is widely considered one of the most visionary and highly effective governmental leaders in America.  First elected Mayor in December 1975, Mayor Riley is serving an unprecedented tenth term. Under his leadership, Charleston has increased its commitment to racial harmony and progress, achieved a substantial decrease in crime, experienced a remarkable revitalization of its historic downtown business district, seen the creation and growth of Spoleto Festival U.S.A., added significantly to the City’s park system, developed nationally-acclaimed affordable housing, and experienced growth in Charleston’s size and population.