1949 Pittsburgh mayoral election

Summary

The Mayoral election of 1949 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was held on Tuesday, November 8, 1949. David Lawrence of the Democratic Party was reelected to a second term. Despite commanding a powerful position within both local politics and the state party, Lawrence faced a major primary challenge after he failed to gain the endorsement of the AFL–CIO. However, he achieved a moderate victory over union leader Ed Leonard, in part due to the surprising support of the Republican business community, which championed Lawrence's urban renewal projects. After the primary scare, Lawrence defeated Republican Timothy "Tice" Ryan, an attorney, by what was then the biggest margin in city mayoral history.

1949 Pittsburgh mayoral election

← 1945 November 8, 1949 1953 →
 
Nominee David Lawrence Tice Ryan
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 152,081 95,498
Percentage 61.4% 38.6%

Mayor before election

David Lawrence
Democratic

Elected Mayor

David Lawrence
Democratic

Results edit

Pittsburgh mayoral election, 1949
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic David Lawrence (incumbent) 152,081 61.4
Republican Tice Ryan 95,498 38.6
Turnout 247,579
Democratic hold Swing

References edit

  • "Republican mayoral candidates through the years". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. November 7, 2007. Retrieved September 18, 2009.
Preceded by
1945
Pittsburgh mayoral election
1949
Succeeded by
1953