1969 Pittsburgh mayoral election explained

Election Name:1969 Pittsburgh mayoral election
Flag Image:Flag of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.svg
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1965 Pittsburgh mayoral election
Previous Year:1965
Next Election:1973 Pittsburgh mayoral election
Next Year:1973
Election Date:November 4, 1969
Nominee1:Pete Flaherty
Party1:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:118,936
Percentage1:65.5%
Nominee2:John Tabor
Party2:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:62,586
Percentage2:34.5%
Mayor
Before Election:Joseph M. Barr
Before Party:Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:Pete Flaherty
After Party:Democratic Party (United States)

The Mayoral election of 1969 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was held on Tuesday, November 4, 1969. The incumbent mayor, Joe Barr of the Democratic Party chose not to run for his third term.

Primary elections

Outspoken City Councilman Pete Flaherty won the Democratic Primary, despite strong opposition from the city's aging party machine. He ran an aggressive campaign and characterized himself to the public as a reform. Court of Common Pleas Judge Harry Kramer, the endorsed candidate, launched a series of sharp personal attacks on Flaherty, which undermined his own campaign and hastened his defeat.

General election

A total of 181,522 votes were cast. As is typical in the heavily Democratic city, Flaherty won by over 30 points. The Republican nominee was John Tabor, the state's last Secretary of Internal Affairs (under the 1968 Pennsylvania Constitution, this elected position, considered to be the state's third highest office, was eliminated).

External links

References