1971 Chicago mayoral election

In the Chicago mayoral election of 1971, Richard J. Daley was elected to a fifth term as mayor, defeating Republican Richard Friedman by a landslide 40% margin.

1971 Chicago mayoral election

April 6, 1971
Turnout	68.9%[1] 4.1 pp
Nominee Richard J. Daley Richard Friedman Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 740,137 315,969 Percentage 70.08% 29.92%
Mayor before election Richard J. Daley Democratic Elected Mayor Richard J. Daley Democratic

In winning his fifth mayoral election, Daley tied the record set by both Carter Harrison Sr. and Carter Harrison Jr. for the most Chicago mayoral election victories. He also became the first individual elected to five consecutive terms as Mayor of Chicago.

Daley faced weak opposition in the election, with no serious challengers arising.[2]

This was the final Chicago mayoral election to be held before the ratification of the Twenty-sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which lowered the voting age from 21 to 18. Thus, it was the final Chicago mayoral election in which the voting age was 21.

Nominations

Democratic primary

In December 1970, Daley put an end to speculation as to whether he'd seek reelection by announcing that he would seek a third term.[3]

Daley won the Democratic primary.

Republican primary

Attorney Richard Friedman won the Republican nomination.[3][4]

The Republican Party had hoped that Friedman, a reformist, would be able to build a coalition of Republicans and independents that could prove a strong challenge to Daley.[3]

General election

Politically Friedman was to the left of Daley, being more liberal.[5] Friedman had sought to run an anti-machine campaign attracting reform Democrats, Republicans, and black voters. He ultimately failed to do this.[3]

Results

Mayor of Chicago 1971 election[6] (General Election)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Richard J. Daley (incumbent)	740,137	70.08
	Republican	Richard Friedman	139,223	29.92
Turnout			1,056,106

References

1. Denvir, Daniel (May 22, 2015). "Voter Turnout in U.S. Mayoral Elections Is Pathetic, But It Wasn't Always This Way". City Lab (The Atlantic). Retrieved 11 December 2018.
2. Biles, Roger. Richard J. Daley: Politics, Race, and the Government of Chicago. Northern Illinois University Press (1995). p.183
3. Cohen, Adam; Taylor, Elizabeth (2001). American Pharaoh: Mayor Richard J. Daley - His Battle for Chicago and the Nation. Little, Brown. pp. 290–294. ISBN 978-0-7595-2427-9.
4. https://people.com/archive/two-crusaders-reporter-and-politician-give-chicago-a-lesson-in-marital-clout-vol-3-no-17/
5. Green, Paul M.; Holli, Melvin G. (10 January 2013). "The Mayors: The Chicago Political Tradition, fourth edition". SIU Press. p. 159. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
6. "RaceID=8129". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 4, 2018.