1979 Birmingham municipal election: Difference between revisions

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The '''1979 mayoral election''' for the city of [[Birmingham]] was held in October [[1979]] with four challengers vying for the office held by incumbent [[David Vann]].
The '''1979 mayoral election''' for the city of [[Birmingham]] was held on [[October 9]], [[1979]] with five challengers vying for the office held by incumbent [[David Vann]].


[[Richard Arrington]], a [[Birmingham City Council|City Councilman]] and former Dean of [[Miles College]] won 44 percent of the votes in the general election and then narrowly won the [[October 30]] runoff by marshaling heavy turnout in predominantly black districts and securing about 15% of the white vote. Vann, who had the support of Birmingham's black voters in the [[1975 Birmingham mayoral election]] was hurt by his refusal to dismiss a [[Birmingham Police Department|police officer]] who had shot and killed [[Bonita Carter]], a young black woman.
[[Richard Arrington]], a [[Birmingham City Council|City Councilman]] and former Dean of [[Miles College]] was drafted by a group of African American leaders including [[Abraham Woods]] and [[E. W. Jarrett]] during a meeting on [[August 23]], [[1979]] at [[Trinity Baptist Church]]. They were reacting specifically to Vann's inaction following the police shooting of 17-year-old [[Bonita Carter]]. The controversy deeply eroded Vann's support in the black community.
 
Although he raised only $19,000 in campaign funding and was a reluctant campaigner, Arrington secured broad support with a strong record on the City Council, having focused his efforts on reforming police procedures and involving more African Americans in city government. By contrast, Vann had a war chest of $84,000 and fellow City Council member [[John Katopodis]] had $25,000 to spend. Nevertheless, Arrington won 44 percent of the votes in the general election, by far the most for any single candidate. The nearest challenger was attorney [[Frank Parsons]], who captured nearly 17% of ballots.
 
During the runoff between Arrington and Parsons, Vann made no endorsements, but did make known his intention of voting for Arrington. About 15% of white voters joined an overwhelming majority of black in giving Arrington a slim victory in the [[October 30]] runoff. Arrington was sworn in as the city's first black mayor on [[November 13]], [[1979]].


==Results==
==Results==
# [[Richard Arrington, Jr]], 31,521 votes (44%, runoff)
===General election===
# [[Frank Parsons]], (runoff)
# [[Richard Arrington, Jr]]: 31,521 votes (43.9%, runoff)
# [[John Katopodis]]
# [[Frank Parsons]]: 12,135 votes (16.9%, runoff)
# [[David Vann]], 11,450 votes (16%)
# [[John Katopodis]]: 12,038 votes (16.8%)
# [[Larry Langford]]
# [[David Vann]], incumbent: 11,450 votes (15.9%)
# [[Larry Langford]]: 2,856 votes (4%)
# [[Don Black]]: 1,771 votes (2.4%)
# Oliver: 69 votes (0.1%)


Voter turnout was 55%, with approximately 71,640 ballots cast (out of 139,254 registered voters).
Voter turnout was 55%, with approximately 71,640 ballots cast (out of 139,254 registered voters).


During the runoff between Arrington and Parsons, Vann made no endorsements, but did make known his intention of voting for Arrington.
===Runoff===
* Arrington: 44,859 votes (51.1%)
* Parsons: 42,814 (48.9%)
 
Voter turnout was higher for the runoff, with 56% of registered white voters and 71% of registered black voters appearing at the polls.


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* Casey, Ron (1979) "[http://beck.library.emory.edu/southernchanges/article.php?id=sc02-3_007 The Election of Birmingham's Black Mayor]" ''Southern Changes: The Journal of the Southern Regional Council''. Vol. 2, No. 3
* Casey, Ron (1979) "[http://beck.library.emory.edu/southernchanges/article.php?id=sc02-3_007 The Election of Birmingham's Black Mayor]" ''Southern Changes: The Journal of the Southern Regional Council''. Vol. 2, No. 3
* Franklin, Jimmie Lewis (1989) "Back to Birmingham: Richard Arrington, Jr., and His Times." Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press
* Franklin, Jimmie Lewis (1989) "Back to Birmingham: Richard Arrington, Jr., and His Times." Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press
* Allers, Robyn, ed. (1999) ''Birmingham: A City Born Again: The Arrington Years 1979-1999''. Birmingham: Elements/Jesse J. Lewis and Associates


[[Category:Elections]]
[[Category:Elections]]
[[Category:Mayors of Birmingham]]
[[Category:Mayors of Birmingham]]
[[Category:1979 events]]
[[Category:1979 events]]

Revision as of 16:13, 22 November 2008

The 1979 mayoral election for the city of Birmingham was held on October 9, 1979 with five challengers vying for the office held by incumbent David Vann.

Richard Arrington, a City Councilman and former Dean of Miles College was drafted by a group of African American leaders including Abraham Woods and E. W. Jarrett during a meeting on August 23, 1979 at Trinity Baptist Church. They were reacting specifically to Vann's inaction following the police shooting of 17-year-old Bonita Carter. The controversy deeply eroded Vann's support in the black community.

Although he raised only $19,000 in campaign funding and was a reluctant campaigner, Arrington secured broad support with a strong record on the City Council, having focused his efforts on reforming police procedures and involving more African Americans in city government. By contrast, Vann had a war chest of $84,000 and fellow City Council member John Katopodis had $25,000 to spend. Nevertheless, Arrington won 44 percent of the votes in the general election, by far the most for any single candidate. The nearest challenger was attorney Frank Parsons, who captured nearly 17% of ballots.

During the runoff between Arrington and Parsons, Vann made no endorsements, but did make known his intention of voting for Arrington. About 15% of white voters joined an overwhelming majority of black in giving Arrington a slim victory in the October 30 runoff. Arrington was sworn in as the city's first black mayor on November 13, 1979.

Results

General election

  1. Richard Arrington, Jr: 31,521 votes (43.9%, runoff)
  2. Frank Parsons: 12,135 votes (16.9%, runoff)
  3. John Katopodis: 12,038 votes (16.8%)
  4. David Vann, incumbent: 11,450 votes (15.9%)
  5. Larry Langford: 2,856 votes (4%)
  6. Don Black: 1,771 votes (2.4%)
  7. Oliver: 69 votes (0.1%)

Voter turnout was 55%, with approximately 71,640 ballots cast (out of 139,254 registered voters).

Runoff

  • Arrington: 44,859 votes (51.1%)
  • Parsons: 42,814 (48.9%)

Voter turnout was higher for the runoff, with 56% of registered white voters and 71% of registered black voters appearing at the polls.

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References

  • Casey, Ron (1979) "The Election of Birmingham's Black Mayor" Southern Changes: The Journal of the Southern Regional Council. Vol. 2, No. 3
  • Franklin, Jimmie Lewis (1989) "Back to Birmingham: Richard Arrington, Jr., and His Times." Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press
  • Allers, Robyn, ed. (1999) Birmingham: A City Born Again: The Arrington Years 1979-1999. Birmingham: Elements/Jesse J. Lewis and Associates
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