1911 Los Angeles mayoral election

1911 Los Angeles mayoral election

October 31, 1911 (1911-10-31) and December 5, 1911 (1911-12-05)

Candidate George Alexander Job Harriman William C. Mushet First round 16,790 36.87% 20,183 44.32% 8,191 17.99% Runoff 85,739 62.34% 51,796 37.66% Eliminated

Mayor before election George Alexander Elected Mayor George Alexander

The 1911 Los Angeles mayoral election took place on October 31, 1911, with a run-off election on December 5, 1911. Incumbent George Alexander was re-elected for a second full term against Job Harriman.

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

Election

Incumbent George Alexander had been elected in March 1909 and was now seeking a second term. He was challenged by Job Harriman, an ordained minister and Socialist, William C. Mushet, who ran in the previous election, Miles S. Gregory, a fellow Republican and Councilmember, and James O. Becker, a Socialist Labor candidate.^[2]

In the primary, Harriman had an 8-point lead above Alexander, and Harriman stated that he believed that he had "been without doubt nominated for mayor of [Los Angeles]."^[3] However, in the general election, Alexander won due to Harriman's association with James and John McNamara, who he was one of the lawyers for during their trial for the Los Angeles Times bombing.^[4]

Results

Primary election

Los Angeles mayoral primary election, October 31, 1911^[5]

Candidate		Votes	%
Job Harriman		20,183	44.32%
George Alexander (incumbent)		16,790	36.87%
William C. Mushet		8,191	17.99%
Miles S. Gregory		327	0.72%
James O. Becker		52	0.11%
Total votes		45,543	100.00

General election

Los Angeles mayoral general election, December 5, 1911^[6]

Candidate		Votes	%
George Alexander (incumbent)		85,739	62.34%
Job Harriman		51,796	37.66%
Total votes		137,535	100.00

References and footnotes

1. "LOS ANGELES: STRUCTURE OF A CITY GOVERNMENT" (PDF). League of Women Voters.
2. "MUSHET TO ENTER RACE FOR MAYOR: Ex-City Auditor Announces Purpose and Position; Speaks of Important Matters for Next Executive; Rose and Summerfield Also Mentioned Now. MUSHET FOR MAYOR". Los Angeles Times. June 9, 2011. ProQuest 159761795.
3. "WE'VE WON—HARRIMAN". Los Angeles Herald. November 1, 1911.
4. Robert Gottlieb; Mark Vallianatos; Regina M. Freer; Peter Dreier (2005). The Next Los Angeles: The Struggle for a Livable City (second ed.). Berkeley, California: University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-25009-3.
5. "Los Angeles Mayor". Our Campaigns.
6. "Los Angeles Mayor". Our Campaigns.

External links

• Office of the City Clerk, City of Los Angeles