1979 Philadelphia mayoral election

The Philadelphia mayoral election of 1979 saw the election of William J. Green III.

1979 Philadelphia mayoral election

November 8, 1979
Turnout	60%[1] 5 pp
Nominee William J. Green III David W. Marston Lucien Blackwell Party Democratic Republican Consumer Popular vote 313,345 174,083 108,447 Percentage 52.59% 29.22% 18.20%
Mayor before election Frank Rizzo Democratic Elected Mayor William J. Green III Democratic

Ahead of the election there had been an unsuccessful effort to amend the city charter to allow incumbent mayor Frank Rizzo to run for a third consecutive term.[2]

Democratic primary

Declared

• Charles W. Bowser, independent candidate for Mayor in 1975[2]
• George G. Britt, Jr., management consultant and perennial candidate
• C. Douglas Clark
• William J. Green III, former U.S. Representative and candidate for U.S. Senate in 1976
• Frank Lomento, pretzel vendor and perennial candidate
• Ralph C. Morrone
• Ronald David Tinney
• Gil W. Veasey
• Inez Walker

Withdrew

• Albert V. Gaudiosi, former City Commerce Director
• William G. Klenk, City Controller

Results

Philadelphia mayoral Democratic primary, 1987

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	William J. Green III	215,742	51.69%
	Democratic	Charles Bowser	178,376	42.74%
	Democratic	William Klenk	10,628	2.55%
	Democratic	Inez Walker	2,816	0.68%
	Democratic	Gil Veasey	2,524	0.61%
	Democratic	George G. Britt, Jr.	2,482	0.60%
	Democratic	Frank Lomento	1,616	0.39%
	Democratic	Albert Gaudiosi	1,502	0.36%
	Democratic	C. Douglas Clark	725	0.17%
	Democratic	Ralph C. Morrone	489	0.12%
	Democratic	Ronald David Tinney	460	0.11%

Republican primary

Declared

• David W. Marston, former U.S. Attorney and candidate for Governor in 1978

Results

Marston was unopposed for the Republican nomination.

Independents and third parties

Consumers

• Lucien Blackwell, City Councilman from District 3

General election

Results

1979 Philadelphia mayoral election (general election)[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	William J. Green III	313,345	52.59%
	Republican	David W. Marston	174,083	29.22%
	Consumer	Lucien Blackwell	108,447	18.20%
Turnout			595,875

References

1. Denvir, Daniel (22 May 2015). "Voter Turnout in U.S. Mayoral Elections Is Pathetic, But It Wasn't Always This Way". City Lab. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
2. Coard, Michael (10 February 2018). "Charles Bowser: The Ultimate Power Player". Philly Magazine. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
3. "Mayors of the City of Philadelphia 1691-2000". City of Philadelphia. Retrieved 28 April 2019.