2005 Los Angeles mayoral election

Summary

The 2005 Los Angeles mayoral election took place on March 8, 2005, with a run-off election on May 17, 2005. In a rematch of the 2001 election, Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa defeated the sitting mayor, James Hahn, becoming the city's first Hispanic mayor since the 19th century.[1]

2005 Los Angeles mayoral election

← 2001 March 8, 2005 (2005-03-08) (primary)
May 17, 2005 (2005-05-17) (runoff)
2009 →
Turnout33.94%
 
Candidate Antonio Villaraigosa James Hahn
First round 136,242
33.10%
97,049
23.58%
Runoff 289,116
58.63%
203,968
41.37%

 
Candidate Robert Hertzberg Bernard C. Parks
First round 90,495
21.99%
55,808
13.56%
Runoff Eliminated Eliminated

Mayor before election

James Hahn

Elected Mayor

Antonio Villaraigosa

Municipal elections in California, including Mayor of Los Angeles, are officially nonpartisan; candidates' party affiliations do not appear on the ballot.[2]

Background edit

Philanthropist Eli Broad endorsed Hahn. State Senator Gil Cedillo, Councilman Eric Garcetti, and Councilman Cindy Miscikowski, who all endorsed Villaraigosa in 2001, switched sides and endorsed Hahn.[3]

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger promised Hahn that he would not participate in the election. As such, Schwarzenegger did not endorse any candidates, however he has expressed broad support for Hertzberg's plan to break up the Los Angeles Unified School District. His Education Secretary, and former mayor of Los Angeles, Richard Riordan campaigned heavily for Hertzberg.[4]

Polling edit

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size[a]
Margin
of error
Antonio
Villaraigosa
James
Hahn
Other /
Undecided
SurveyUSA May 13–15, 2005 528 (LV) ± 4.3% 60% 36% 4%

Results edit

Although Villaraigosa garnered the plurality of votes in the general election, his lack of an outright majority forced a special election between him and the incumbent Hahn. With less than 34% of registered voters participating, Villaraigosa won the runoff.

With his election, Villaraigosa became the first Latino mayor of Los Angeles since 1872.[3] Hahn became the first incumbent to lose re-election in 32 years since Sam Yorty lost to Tom Bradley in the 1973 Los Angeles mayoral election.[5]

Primary election edit

Los Angeles mayoral primary election, March 8, 2005[6]
Candidate Votes %
Antonio Villaraigosa 136,242 33.10
James Hahn (incumbent) 97,049 23.58
Robert Hertzberg 90,495 21.99
Bernard C. Parks 55,808 13.56
Richard Alarcon 14,815 3.60
Walter Moore 11,409 2.77
Wendy Lyons 1,963 0.48
Addie M. Miller 1,287 0.31
Martin Luther King Aubrey, Sr. 868 0.21
Bill Wyatt 762 0.19
Bruce Harry Darian 512 0.12
Ted Crisell 394 0.10
Total votes 411,604 100.00

General election edit

Los Angeles mayoral general election, May 17, 2005[7]
Candidate Votes %
Antonio Villaraigosa 289,116 58.63
James Hahn (incumbent) 203,968 41.37
Total votes 493,084 100.00

Notes edit

  1. ^ Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear

References edit

  1. ^ Zahniser, David (May 18, 2005). "Villaraigosa cruises to victory". U-T San Diego. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  2. ^ "LOS ANGELES: STRUCTURE OF A CITY GOVERNMENT" (PDF). League of Women Voters.
  3. ^ a b Garrison, Jessica (February 8, 2005). "A Second Chance". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  4. ^ Gold, Matea; McGreevy, Patrick (February 26, 2005). "Hertzberg Gets a Lift From Gov". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 22, 2010.
  5. ^ "Update: Villaraigosa Defeats Hahn | Los Angeles Business Journal". Los Angeles Business Journal. May 18, 2005. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  6. ^ "City of Los Angeles Primary Nominating & Consolidated Elections Official Election Results March 8, 2005" (PDF). Office of the City Clerk, City of Los Angeles. March 26, 2005. p. 2.
  7. ^ "City of Los Angeles General Municipal & Consolidated Elections Official Election Results May 17, 2005" (PDF). Office of the City Clerk, City of Los Angeles. May 31, 2005.

External links edit

  • Office of the City Clerk, City of Los Angeles