1909 Los Angeles mayoral election

The 1909 Los Angeles mayoral election took place on November 9, 1909, with a run-off election on December 7, 1909. Incumbent George Alexander was re-elected over George A. Smith in the runoff election.

1909 Los Angeles mayoral election

← March 1909 November 9, 1909 (1909-11-09) and December 7, 1909 (1909-12-07) 1911 →

Candidate George Alexander George A. Smith First round 12,143 39.59% 7,184 23.42% Runoff 20,291 54.47% 16,964 45.54%   Candidate William C. Mushet Oscar E. Farish First round 7,165 23.36% 3,254 10.61% Runoff Eliminated Eliminated

Mayor before election George Alexander Elected Mayor George Alexander

Municipal elections in California, including Mayor of Los Angeles, are officially nonpartisan; candidates' party affiliations do not appear on the ballot.^[1]

Election

Incumbent George Alexander won the March 1909 Los Angeles mayoral election to finish Arthur C. Harper's term, and was now seeking a full term. He was challenged by George A. Smith, a fellow Republican and former Councilman, William C. Mushet, an Independent who was the Los Angeles City Auditor, and Oscar Eugene Farish, a Democrat and former Councilman.

In the primary, Smith and Mushet were close in totals to be included on the ballot for the runoff election, and some Mushet supporters floated the idea of Smith withdrawing to allow Mushet on the ballot.^[2] In the results, Smith had a lead by a small margin, placing him on the ballot.^[3] After the results of the primary were released, Mushet sued for a recount, alleging misconduct in every precinct.^[4] A month later, he stated that he had "failed to gain a place on the ballot partly because of a defect in the primary election law."^[5]

In the general election, Alexander defeated Smith with a majority vote.^[6][7]

Results

Primary election

Los Angeles mayoral primary election, November 9, 1909^[8]

Candidate		Votes	%
George Alexander (incumbent)		12,143	39.59
George A. Smith		7,184	23.42
William C. Mushet		7,165	23.36
Oscar Eugene Farish		3,254	10.61
W. Scott Lewis		720	2.35
James C. Hurley		116	0.38
J. W. Jones		88	0.29
Total votes		30,670	100.00

General election

Los Angeles mayoral general election, December 7, 1909^[9]

Candidate		Votes	%
George Alexander (incumbent)		20,291	54.47
George A. Smith		16,964	45.54
Total votes		37,255	100.00