He was active in Democratic Party politics and, in 1941, won a seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to an at-large seat for Philadelphia County. He won re-election to the House in 1943 and 1945. In 1951, he won a seat on the Philadelphia City Council and became the President pro tempore in 1954, which became the council president in 1955. He held that position for nearly 10 years.[3]
Mayor of Philadelphia
Mayor Richardson Dilworth resigned his post in 1962 in order to make a second run for Governor in that fall's general election. As the city council president, Tate became acting mayor upon Dilworth's resignation. He went on to win two terms in his own right, in 1963 and 1967.[4] As a result, he is to date the second longest serving mayor.
In 1963, he defeated Republican James McDermott with 54% of the vote.[5] He fended off a protest by the Congress of Racial Equality by stopping construction of the Philadelphia Municipal Services Building until more black workers were hired.[4]
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