1929 Los Angeles mayoral election

Summary

The 1929 Los Angeles mayoral election took place on June 9, 1929. Incumbent George E. Cryer chose not contest the election and retire from office, making it the first open seat since 1911. The race was won by John Clinton Porter, who defeated Councilman William G. Bonelli, John R. Quinn, and 11 other candidates.

1929 Los Angeles mayoral election
← 1925 June 9, 1929 (1929-06-09) 1933 →
 
Candidate John C. Porter William G. Bonelli
First round 75,198
36.4%
45,200
21.9%
Runoff 151,905
58.8%
106,515
41.2%

 
Candidate John R. Quinn Perry H. Greer
First round 39,425
19.1%
22,022
10.7%
Runoff Eliminated Eliminated

Mayor before election

George E. Cryer

Elected Mayor

John Clinton Porter

Municipal elections in California, including Mayor of Los Angeles, are officially nonpartisan; candidates' party affiliations do not appear on the ballot.[1]

Background edit

Because of accusations of corruption and the straining of Mayor Cryer's relationship with Kent Kane Parrot, Parrot leaked to the Los Angeles Record that he would not seek re-election.[2][3] Cryer himself announced that he would not run for re-election in late February 1929.[3] Democratic John Clinton Porter and Republican William G. Bonelli both campaigned for the office, as well as Republican John R. Quinn, Democratic councilmember Charles J. Colden, and President of the Los Angeles City Council Boyle Workman.[4]

Bonelli was criticized during his campaign for sending an appeal for votes and an attack on Chief James E. Davis and the Police Commission.[5][6]

Results edit

Los Angeles mayoral primary election, May 2, 1929[7]
Candidate Votes %
John Clinton Porter 75,198 36.42
William G. Bonelli 45,200 21.89
John R. Quinn 39,425 19.09
Perry H. Greer 22,022 10.67
William La Plante 8,182 3.96
Charles J. Colden 4,331 2.098
Carlin G. Smith 3,550 1.72
Nicholas B. Harris 3,503 1.70
Lloyd S. Nix 2,361 1.14
Boyle Workman 2,057 1.00
Charles Hopper 207 0.10
Ralph L. Knapp 188 0.09
Adam C. Derkum 179 0.09
David Horsley 73 0.04
Total votes 206,476 100.00
Los Angeles mayoral general election, June 9, 1929[8]
Candidate Votes %
John Clinton Porter 151,905 58.78
William G. Bonelli 106,515 41.22
Total votes 258,420 100.00

References and footnotes edit

  1. ^ "LOS ANGELES: STRUCTURE OF A CITY GOVERNMENT" (PDF). League of Women Voters.
  2. ^ Sitton, Tom (1985). "The "Boss" Without a Machine: Kent K. Parrot and Los Angeles Politics in the 1920s". Southern California Quarterly. 67 (4). University of California Press for Southern California Quarterly: 365–387. doi:10.2307/41171180. JSTOR 41171180.
  3. ^ a b The Watchman (March 1, 1929). "Mayor Cryer Announces He Will Not Make Race". Los Angeles Times.
  4. ^ "The Political Graveyard: American Legion, politicians, California". politicalgraveyard.com.
  5. ^ "Bonelli Seeks Police Votes," Los Angeles Times, May 4, 1929, p. A-1
  6. ^ "Bonelli and the Police," Los Angeles Times, May 5, 1929, p. B-4
  7. ^ Los Angeles Times, May 9, 1929, pages 1 and 2
  8. ^ "Los Angeles Mayor". Our Campaigns.

External links edit

  • Office of the City Clerk, City of Los Angeles