1997 Los Angeles mayoral election explained

Election Name:	1997 Los Angeles mayoral election
Country:	Los Angeles
Type:	presidential
Ongoing:	no
Previous Election:	1993 Los Angeles mayoral election
Previous Year:	1993
Next Election:	2001 Los Angeles mayoral election
Next Year:	2001
Turnout:	31.71%
Image1:	Richard Riordan, 1997.jpg
Candidate1:	Richard Riordan
Color1:	c0c0c0
Popular Vote1:	250,771
Percentage1:	61.49%
Candidate2:	Tom Hayden
Color2:	c0c0c0
Popular Vote2:	140,648
Percentage2:	34.49%
Mayor
Before Election:	Richard Riordan
After Election:	Richard Riordan

The 1997 Los Angeles mayoral election took place on April 8, 1997. Incumbent Richard Riordan won re-election against California State Senator and activist Tom Hayden.^[1] As of to date, this is the most recent time a Republican was elected Mayor of Los Angeles.^[2] Municipal elections in California, including Mayor of Los Angeles, are officially nonpartisan; candidates' party affiliations do not appear on the ballot.^[3]

Election

Hayden criticized Riordan for ignoring the environment and for not debating with him while Riordan criticized Hayden for his voting record as a State Senator.^[4] ^[5] Polls showed Riordan leading Hayden, with most of his support being from white people and Republicans.^[6] The Los Angeles County Federation of Labor pulled their support from Riordan and took a neutral stance for the two.^[7] In the election, Riordan won outright against Hayden and three other candidates.^[8]

External links

Office of the City Clerk, City of Los Angeles

Notes and References

Web site: Riordan Wins Mayor’s Race : Four New Members Elected to City Council : Election: Republican victor says he wants to bring business back to city and make it ‘safe and friendly.’ A new majority coalition emerges among electorate.. Clifford, Frank. June 9, 1993. Los Angeles Times.
Web site: CALIFORNIA REPUBLICANS: WHERE HAVE THEY GONE?. Newton, Jim. 2016. UCLA Blueprint.
Web site: LOS ANGELES: STRUCTURE OF A CITY GOVERNMENT. League of Women Voters.
Web site: Hayden Says Riordan Has Ignored Environment: Campaign: Challenger gets Sierra Club endorsement as mayor criticizes his voting record in Sacramento. February 8, 1997. Los Angeles Times. Martin, Hugo.
Web site: Hayden Uses Cutout to Rip Riordan: Politics: Challenger employs image to portray mayor as being silent on key issues and reluctant to debate. Riordan says he's busy running city. March 21, 1997. Wilgoren, Jodi. Los Angeles Times.
Web site: Good Numbers Aren't Enough: Riordan shines in a poll, but the office demands far more of him. February 5, 1997. Los Angeles Times.
Web site: Labor Might Pull Riordan Endorsement: Politics: Leaders are now expected to take neutral stance in contest between incumbent and Tom Hayden. March 13, 1997. Los Angeles Times. Stuart, SIlverstein; Newton, Jim.
Web site: Riordan Is Re-elected Los Angeles Mayor. April 9, 1997. The New York Times.