1945 New York City mayoral election
The 1945 New York City mayoral election took place on November 6, 1945, in New York City. The candidates were King County District Attorney William O'Dwyer, a Democrat, and Jonah J. Goldstein, a Republican judge, as well as other, third-party candidates. O'Dwyer won the contest with 56.77% of the vote.[1] Democratic nominationWilliam O'Dwyer, who had built his reputation as Brooklyn's top prosecutor on his case against Murder, Inc., ran for mayor once again.[2] In 1941, William O'Dwyer lost to incumbent Fiorello LaGuardia by over 100,000 votes. In the following years, however, he enhanced his political image by enlisting in World War II. Behind the scenes, he also cultivated ties to powerful members of Tammany Hall, which had reluctantly backed his 1941 campaign, and allegedly sought common cause with organized crime figures such as Frank Costello.[3] With both popular and party support, O'Dwyer had no trouble gaining the Democratic nomination for a second consecutive campaign, though he bowed to pressure from U.S. Representative Vito Marcantonio and gangster Thomas Luchese to nominate Vincent Impellitteri for president of the City Council.[3] The American Labor Party, led by Marcantonio, also nominated O'Dwyer.[4] Republican nominationCandidates
Declined
Morris was meant to be on the Republican slate, but he refused the nomination and attacked Goldstein as a "discarded Tammany candidate for mayor". La Guardia asked Morris to run and he announced his candidacy as the nominee of the No Deal Party on August 5.[5] Liberal nominationCandidates
Withdrew
Declined
CampaignThe Liberal Party of New York wanted Wendell Willkie to run for mayor and met with him in May 1944. He was interested in the idea, but died in October. The Liberals attempted to negotiate with the Democrats, but O'Dwyer had ties to the ALP. Morris, while running as a Republican, sought the party's support and the Liberals were favorable to Joseph McGoldrick. McGoldrick withdrew from the race and suggested Goldstein, who was approved.[6] General electionCandidates
EndorsementsJonah J. Goldstein Newbold Morris Newspapers William O'Dwyer Federal officials
Organizations Notable individuals
Declined to endorse Notable individuals
Results
References
Works cited
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