1933 Pittsburgh mayoral election explained

Election Name:1933 Pittsburgh mayoral election
Flag Image:Flag of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.svg
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1929 Pittsburgh mayoral election
Previous Year:1929
Next Election:1937 Pittsburgh mayoral election
Next Year:1937
Election Date:November 6, 1933
Image1:William N. McNair.jpg
Nominee1:William N. McNair
Party1:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:102,867
Percentage1:57.3%
Nominee2:John Herron
Party2:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:75,674
Percentage2:42.2%
Mayor
Before Election:John Herron
Before Party:Republican Party (United States)
After Election:William N. McNair
After Party:Democratic Party (United States)

The Mayoral election of 1933 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was held on Tuesday, November 6, 1933. In a realigning election, Democrats regained control of the mayor's office for the first time in twenty-eight years; they have not relinquished this position since.

Background

The incumbent mayor, John Herron of the Republican Party chose to run for his first full term. Herron had been elevated to the executive office from his position as city council president after Charles H. Kline resigned due to a fiscal scandal. Herron inherited a party whose once efficient machinery was in crisis.

Democrats, led by new powerful grassroots organizer David Lawrence (a future mayor), selected William McNair, an idealistic and outspoken attorney as their candidate. As the New Deal began, Pittsburgh's strong labor community moved rapidly toward the Democrats, creating a huge shift in voting patterns and allowing McNair to win.

Primary elections

Incumbent mayor John Herron won a divided Republican Primary against Councilman Peter J. McArdle and Register of Wills Joseph Mackrell.[1] [2] [3]

William McNair won the Democratic Primary.

General election

A total of 179,425 votes were cast.

Herron received 75,405 votes on the Republican ticket, 258 on the Citizens' Party ticket, and 11 on non-partisan ballots.
†Mackrell received 154 votes on Liberal Party and 101 on Square Deal Party ballots.

External links

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Pittsburgh Press - Google News Archive Search. news.google.com.
  2. Web site: The Pittsburgh Press - Google News Archive Search. news.google.com.
  3. Web site: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Google News Archive Search. news.google.com.