1971 Philadelphia mayoral election


The Philadelphia mayoral election of 1971 saw the election of Frank Rizzo.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

Rizzo had a reputation for his harsh policing style, and as called "the toughest cop in America". He began his candidacy as the frontrunner for the nomination, with the endorsement of the city's Democratic organization.
Rizzo refused to debate or attend the same events as his opponents. Green refused to discus most issues, and avoided interviews or written questions by the media or civic groups. He also refused to join his opponents in testifying on the city's financial problems before the Philadelphia City Council. Rizzo also did not make many campaign appearances, making only a single appearance a day and only appearing in white ethnic neighborhoods considered to be friendly towards him.
Rizzo repeatedly insisted that he was "not a politician". Rizzo took a position against additional taxes.
Rizzo had earned goodwill with many voters, who perceived his command of the police department as having staved off the sort of violent rioting other cities had experienced years earlier.
Green warned voters that it would be a "disaster" if America's then-fourth largest city were to be led by Rizzo.
Liberal politicians primarily supported Green. Shortly before the primary, governor Milton Shapp endorsed Green.
Green's camp had attempted to get Williams to withdraw, in order to unite liberal voters around Green and against Rizzo. Williams refused.
Williams was the first well-known African American to run for mayor of Philadelphia.
After Shapp accused Rizzo of police brutality and Pennsylvania Attorney General J. Shane Creamer found Rizzo guilty of having beaten a black demonstator in 1965, Rizzo dismissed this as a political "cheap shot".
The Philadelphia Bulletin argued that the real race was not between Rizzo and Green, but between incumbent mayor Tate and governor Shapp for control of the Philadelphia Democratic Party. This newspaper declined to endorse a candidate.

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Longstreth faced only nominal opposition for the nomination.

Independents and third parties

Conservative

Campaign

Rizzo's campaign slogan "Rizzo means business". Rizzo benefited from white racial backlash. He campaigned primarily in white, working class areas of the city.

Results