In 2000, Schramma (
CDU) assumed office as mayor-in-chief along with Bernhard Wimmer (CDU), because the incumbent Harry Blum (CDU) died unexpectedly. In a runoff vote, he won election on 17 September 2000 against
Anke Brunn (
Social Democrats), who was nominated by her party only a short time ahead of the vote. The Social Democrats were heavily weakened by corruption scandals. Schramma's term in office was nine years instead of the usual five: he first completed the term of his predecessor Blum until 2004, and then he served his own term as a result of winning the runoff in 2000. In 2025, after 50 years membership, Schramma left the Christian Democratic Union, stating the lack of profile within the party as reason. ==References==