1997 Los Angeles mayoral election

The 1997 Los Angeles mayoral election took place on April 8, 1997. Incumbent Richard Riordan won re-election against California State Senator and activist Tom Hayden.^[1] As of to date, this is the most recent time a Republican was elected Mayor of Los Angeles.^[2] Municipal elections in California, including Mayor of Los Angeles, are officially nonpartisan; candidates' party affiliations do not appear on the ballot.^[3]

1997 Los Angeles mayoral election

← 1993 April 8, 1997 (1997-04-08) 2001 →
Turnout	31.71%
Candidate Richard Riordan Tom Hayden Popular vote 250,771 140,648 Percentage 61.49% 34.49%
Mayor before election Richard Riordan Elected Mayor Richard Riordan

Election

Hayden criticized Riordan for ignoring the environment and for not debating with him while Riordan criticized Hayden for his voting record as a State Senator.^[4][5] Polls showed Riordan leading Hayden, with most of his support being from white people and Republicans.^[6] The Los Angeles County Federation of Labor pulled their support from Riordan and took a neutral stance for the two.^[7] In the election, Riordan won outright against Hayden and three other candidates.^[8]

Results

Los Angeles mayoral general election, April 8, 1997^[9][10]

Candidate		Votes	%
Richard Riordan (incumbent)		250,771	61.49
Tom Hayden		140,648	34.49
Candido J. Marez		5,852	1.43
Leonard Shapiro		5,454	1.33
Craig A. Honts		5,065	1.24
Total votes		407,790	100.00

References and footnotes

1. Clifford, Frank (June 9, 1993). "Riordan Wins Mayor's Race : Four New Members Elected to City Council : Election: Republican victor says he wants to bring business back to city and make it 'safe and friendly.' A new majority coalition emerges among electorate". Los Angeles Times.
2. Newton, Jim (2016). "CALIFORNIA REPUBLICANS: WHERE HAVE THEY GONE?". UCLA Blueprint.
3. "LOS ANGELES: STRUCTURE OF A CITY GOVERNMENT" (PDF). League of Women Voters.
4. Martin, Hugo (February 8, 1997). "Hayden Says Riordan Has Ignored Environment: Campaign: Challenger gets Sierra Club endorsement as mayor criticizes his voting record in Sacramento". Los Angeles Times.
5. Wilgoren, Jodi (March 21, 1997). "Hayden Uses Cutout to Rip Riordan: Politics: Challenger employs image to portray mayor as being silent on key issues and reluctant to debate. Riordan says he's busy running city". Los Angeles Times.
6. "Good Numbers Aren't Enough: Riordan shines in a poll, but the office demands far more of him". Los Angeles Times. February 5, 1997.
7. Stuart, SIlverstein; Newton, Jim (March 13, 1997). "Labor Might Pull Riordan Endorsement: Politics: Leaders are now expected to take neutral stance in contest between incumbent and Tom Hayden". Los Angeles Times.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
8. "Riordan Is Re-elected Los Angeles Mayor". The New York Times. April 9, 1997.
9. "City of Los Angeles Primary Nomination Final - Official Election Results". Office of the City Clerk, City of Los Angeles.
10. "Los Angeles Mayor". Our Campaigns.

External links

• Office of the City Clerk, City of Los Angeles