1909 Pittsburgh mayoral election
February 16, 1909
 
Nominee William A. Magee William H. Stevenson George R. Herst
Party Republican Civic / Prohibition Democratic
Popular vote 48,065 17,008 3,075
Percentage 69.6% 24.6% 4.5%
Mayor before election

George W. Guthrie
Democratic

 Elected Mayor

William A. Magee
Republican

The 1909 Pittsburgh mayoral election was held on Tuesday, February 16, 1909. Republican nominee William A. Magee was elected mayor of Pittsburgh over Civic Party and Prohibition candidate W.H. Stevenson and Democratic candidate George R. Herst.

Campaign

Former city councilman and state senator William A. Magee, an unsuccessful candidate in the 1906 Republican mayoral primary, decided to run again for mayor in 1909. His campaign emphasized potential civic improvement projects including the removal of a hill ("the hump") in the area around Grant Street, the widening of certain streets, and improvement of riverfronts.[1] Although opposed by some of the Republican leadership, Magee won the Republican primary over city treasurer John F. Steel by a vote of 41,917 to 22,210.[2]

The strongest opposition to the Republicans came from the Civic Party, an organization of anti-corruption reformers. Its nominee was city councilman William H. Stevenson, whose candidacy was also supported by the Prohibition Party.

Dr. George R. Herst won the Democratic primary with no close competitors.[3]

General election results

Pittsburgh mayoral election, 1909[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican William A. Magee 48,065 69.6
Civic / Prohibition William H. Stevenson 17,008* 24.6
Democratic George R. Herst 3,075 4.5
Socialist J.W. Slayton 792 1.1
Socialist Labor Edward R. Markley 155 0.2
— other 5 0.0
Total votes 69,100 100.0

*Stevenson received 13,151 votes on the Civic Party ticket, 3,823 on the Prohibition ticket, and 34 other votes.

References

  1. ↑ Bauman, John F.; Muller, Edward K. (2006). Before Renaissance: Planning in Pittsburgh, 1889-1943. University of Pittsburgh Press. p. 87. ISBN 978-0-8229-7305-8.
  2. ↑ Townley, John B. (June 23, 1934). "Pittsburgh Has Had Three Democratic Mayors in 50 Years". The Pittsburgh Press. p. 16.
  3. ↑ "A Snappy Campaign Is Planned". The Pittsburg Press. January 31, 1909. p. 2.
  4. ↑ "Magee's Vote Grows Bigger: Returning Board Gives Him 1,000 More than Unofficial Count". The Gazette Times. Pittsburgh. February 26, 1909. p. 12.
Preceded by
1906		 Pittsburgh mayoral election
1909		 Succeeded by
1913
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