1941 Pittsburgh mayoral election

Summary

The mayoral election of 1941 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was held on Tuesday, November 4, 1941. Incumbent Democratic Party Conn Scully won a second full term by a narrow margin.

1941 Pittsburgh mayoral election

← 1937 November 3, 1941 1945 →
 
Nominee Conn Scully Harmar Denny
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 112,723 109,560
Percentage 50.7% 49.3%

Mayor before election

Conn Scully
Democratic

Elected Mayor

Conn Scully
Democratic

Background edit

Scully had gained a reputation as a weak mayor[citation needed] and his Republican opponent, wealthy attorney and former Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Harmar Denny (a future Congressman), hammered Scully for being a puppet of the city's increasingly powerful Democratic machine. Despite these allegations, Scully remained closely aligned with state party chairman (and future mayor) David Lawrence; while this may have cost him some votes, it gave him enough support from the Democrats' New Deal labor base to put Scully over the top.[1] Republicans contested the result in court, but a judge dismissed the suit.[2]

Results edit

Pittsburgh mayoral election, 1945*
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Conn Scully (incumbent) 112,723 50.7
Republican Harmar Denny 109,560 49.3
Turnout 222,283
Democratic hold Swing

*These numbers, reported a day after the election,[3] were officially revised later in the month.[4] After a court found irregularities, it ordered further corrections.[5]

References edit

  1. ^ Flanagan, Richard Michael (January 1, 2004). Mayors and the Challenge of Urban Leadership. University Press of America. ISBN 9780761828952. Retrieved December 19, 2016 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ "Judge Throws Out GOP Contest of Scully Election". The Pittsburgh Press. January 15, 1942. p. 2.
  3. ^ "Election At a Glance". The Pittsburgh Press. November 5, 1941. p. 1.
  4. ^ "Official Tally Gives Scully 3,627 Margin". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. November 18, 1941. p. 13.
  5. ^ "31 Ballot Officials Admit Guilt". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. May 29, 1942. p. 11.

External links edit

  • "Republican mayoral candidates through the years". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. November 7, 2007. Retrieved September 18, 2009.
Preceded by
1937
Pittsburgh mayoral election
1941
Succeeded by
1945