1979 Philadelphia mayoral election

← 1975 November 8, 1979 1983 →
Turnout	60%[1] 5 pp
Nominee William J. Green III David W. Marston Lucien Blackwell Party Democratic Republican Consumer Popular vote 313,345 174,083 108,447 Percentage 52.59% 29.22% 18.20%
Mayor before election Frank Rizzo Democratic Elected Mayor William J. Green III Democratic

Elections in Pennsylvania
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Government
v t e

The 1979 Philadelphia mayoral election saw the election of William J. Green III.

Ahead of the election there had been an unsuccessful effort to amend the city charter to allow incumbent mayor Frank Rizzo to run for a third consecutive term.^[2]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

• Charles W. Bowser, independent candidate for mayor in 1975^[2]
• George G. Britt, Jr., management consultant and perennial candidate
• C. Douglas Clark
• William J. Green III, former U.S. Representative and candidate for U.S. Senate in 1976
• Frank Lomento, pretzel vendor and perennial candidate
• Ralph C. Morrone
• Ronald David Tinney
• Gil W. Veasey
• Inez Walker

Withdrew

• Albert V. Gaudiosi, former City Commerce Director
• William G. Klenk, City Controller

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

• David W. Marston, former U.S. Attorney and candidate for governor in 1978

Results

Marston was unopposed for the Republican nomination.

Independents and third parties

Consumers

• Lucien Blackwell, City Councilman from District 3

General election

Results