2005 Los Angeles mayoral election

2005 Los Angeles mayoral election

March 8, 2005 (2005-03-08) (primary) May 17, 2005 (2005-05-17) (runoff)
Turnout	33.94%
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

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]

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

Background

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

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[a]	Margin of error	Antonio Villaraigosa	James Hahn	Other / Undecided
SurveyUSA[5]	May 13–15, 2005	528 (LV)	± 4.3%	60%	36%	4%

Results

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.^[6]

Primary election

Los Angeles mayoral primary election, March 8, 2005^[7]

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

Los Angeles mayoral general election, May 17, 2005^[8]

Candidate		Votes	%
Antonio Villaraigosa		289,116	58.63
James Hahn (incumbent)		203,968	41.37
Total votes		493,084	100.00

Notes

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

References

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. 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. SurveyUSA
6. "Update: Villaraigosa Defeats Hahn | Los Angeles Business Journal". Los Angeles Business Journal. May 18, 2005. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
7. "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.
8. "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

• Office of the City Clerk, City of Los Angeles