New York City mayoral election, 1977
Encyclopedia
The New York City mayoral election of 1977 occurred on Tuesday, November 8, 1977.
Incumbent
mayor
Abraham Beame
, a Democrat
, was challenged by five other Democrats, including Representative
Ed Koch
, New York Secretary of State Mario Cuomo
, and feminist activist and former Representative Bella Abzug
for the Democratic nomination. Koch won the initial vote in the Democratic primary, as well as a runoff vote
held between him and Cuomo. In the general election, Koch beat Cuomo, who ran on the Liberal Party
ticket, and Roy M. Goodman
, running on the Republican
ticket.
Abzug represented parts of Manhattan
and the Bronx
in the U.S. House. In 1975, she left her seat to run for the U.S. Senate
, but was narrowly defeated in the Democratic primary by Daniel Patrick Moynihan
.
Cuomo, a liberal
from Queens
, had been appointed Secretary of State by Governor
Hugh Carey
in 1976, after losing the election for Lieutenant Governor
in 1974.
Ed Koch, a Jewish politician from Greenwich Village
, began his career as a "just a plain liberal," but shifted rightward, towards being a "liberal with sanity"
Also running were Rep. Herman Badillo
of the Bronx, Manhattan Borough President Percy Sutton
, and civic watchdog Joel Harnett.
, a conservative radio talk show host, also ran.
Koch ran to the right of the other candidates, on a "law and order
" platform. According to historian Jonathan Mahler, the blackout
that happened in July of that year, and the subsequent rioting, helped catapult Koch and his message of restoring public safety to front-runner status.
, Mayor Beame asked the federal government for a bailout. President
Gerald Ford
refused, leading to the inaccurate but memorable New York Daily News
headline: "Ford to City: Drop Dead". As a result, Mayor Beame laid off many police officers and other city employees, which came with an increase in crime.
A 982-page report from the Securities and Exchange Commission blamed Beame's mismanagement for the city's financial mess, which his opponents seized on as an electoral issue.
affected New York City from July 13, 1977 to July 14, 1977. The blackout was localized to New York City and the immediate surroundings, and resulted in city-wide looting.
Mayor Beame accused Con Edison, the power provider for New York City, of "gross negligence". Koch criticized Beame for losing control of the streets and failing to ask Governor Carey to call in the National Guard.
Though Governor Carey had persuaded Cuomo to run for mayor in the first place, threw his support to Koch and urged Cuomo to stand down for the sake of party unity. Cuomo refused.
While Koch had a reputation as a crusading reformer, that summer he quietly promised plum city jobs to the political powerbrokers in the boroughs in exchange for their support. Cuomo ran on banning the death penalty, which backfired with New Yorkers, who were sick of crime. Cuomo then went negative with ads that likened Koch to unpopular former mayor John Lindsay
. His supporters used the inflammatory slogan "Vote for Cuomo, Not the Homo". Meanwhile, Koch backers accused Cuomo of anti-Semitism
and pelted Cuomo campaign cars with eggs.
Incumbent
Incumbent
The incumbent, in politics, is the existing holder of a political office. This term is usually used in reference to elections, in which races can often be defined as being between an incumbent and non-incumbent. For example, in the 2004 United States presidential election, George W...
mayor
Mayor of New York City
The Mayor of the City of New York is head of the executive branch of New York City's government. The mayor's office administers all city services, public property, police and fire protection, most public agencies, and enforces all city and state laws within New York City.The budget overseen by the...
Abraham Beame
Abraham Beame
Abraham David "Abe" Beame was mayor of New York City from 1974 to 1977. As such, he presided over the city during the fiscal crisis of the mid-1970s, during which the city was almost forced to declare bankruptcy....
, a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, was challenged by five other Democrats, including Representative
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
Ed Koch
Ed Koch
Edward Irving "Ed" Koch is an American lawyer, politician, and political commentator. He served in the United States House of Representatives from 1969 to 1977 and three terms as mayor of New York City from 1978 to 1989...
, New York Secretary of State Mario Cuomo
Mario Cuomo
Mario Matthew Cuomo served as the 52nd Governor of New York from 1983 to 1994, and is the father of Andrew Cuomo, the current governor of New York.-Early life:...
, and feminist activist and former Representative Bella Abzug
Bella Abzug
Bella Savitsky Abzug was an American lawyer, Congresswoman, social activist and a leader of the Women's Movement. In 1971, Abzug joined other leading feminists such as Gloria Steinem and Betty Friedan to found the National Women's Political Caucus...
for the Democratic nomination. Koch won the initial vote in the Democratic primary, as well as a runoff vote
Two-round system
The two-round system is a voting system used to elect a single winner where the voter casts a single vote for their chosen candidate...
held between him and Cuomo. In the general election, Koch beat Cuomo, who ran on the Liberal Party
Liberal Party of New York
The Liberal Party of New York is a minor American political party that has been active only in the state of New York. Its platform supports a standard set of social liberal policies: it supports right to abortion, increased spending on education, and universal health care.As of 2007, the Liberal...
ticket, and Roy M. Goodman
Roy M. Goodman
Roy M. Goodman is an American politician. He was born in New York City and is the grandson of Israel Matz, founder of the Ex-Lax company.-Political career:...
, running on the Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
ticket.
Democratic
Mayor Beame's struggles with the economy and crime, which had led to a decrease in the population of New York City, encouraged several Democrats to challenge him.Abzug represented parts of Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
and the Bronx
The Bronx
The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. It is also known as Bronx County, the last of the 62 counties of New York State to be incorporated...
in the U.S. House. In 1975, she left her seat to run for the U.S. Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
, but was narrowly defeated in the Democratic primary by Daniel Patrick Moynihan
Daniel Patrick Moynihan
Daniel Patrick "Pat" Moynihan was an American politician and sociologist. A member of the Democratic Party, he was first elected to the United States Senate for New York in 1976, and was re-elected three times . He declined to run for re-election in 2000...
.
Cuomo, a liberal
Liberalism in the United States
Liberalism in the United States is a broad political philosophy centered on the unalienable rights of the individual. The fundamental liberal ideals of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion for all belief systems, and the separation of church and state, right to due process...
from Queens
Queens
Queens is the easternmost of the five boroughs of New York City. The largest borough in area and the second-largest in population, it is coextensive with Queens County, an administrative division of New York state, in the United States....
, had been appointed Secretary of State by Governor
Governor of New York
The Governor of the State of New York is the chief executive of the State of New York. The governor is the head of the executive branch of New York's state government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military and naval forces. The officeholder is afforded the courtesy title of His/Her...
Hugh Carey
Hugh Carey
Hugh Leo Carey was an American attorney, the 51st Governor of New York from 1975 to 1982, and a seven-term United States Representative .- Early life :...
in 1976, after losing the election for Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant Governor of New York
The Lieutenant Governor of New York is a constitutional office in the executive branch of the government of New York State. It is the second highest ranking official in state government. The lieutenant governor is elected on a ticket with the governor for a four year term...
in 1974.
Ed Koch, a Jewish politician from Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village, , , , .in New York often simply called "the Village", is a largely residential neighborhood on the west side of Lower Manhattan in New York City. A large majority of the district is home to upper middle class families...
, began his career as a "just a plain liberal," but shifted rightward, towards being a "liberal with sanity"
Also running were Rep. Herman Badillo
Herman Badillo
Herman Badillo is a Bronx, New York politician who has been a borough president, United States Representative, and candidate for Mayor of New York City. He was the first Puerto Rican to be elected to these posts and be a mayoral candidate in the continental United States.-Early years:Badillo was...
of the Bronx, Manhattan Borough President Percy Sutton
Percy Sutton
Percy Ellis Sutton was a prominent black American political and business leader. A civil-rights activist and lawyer, he was also a Freedom Rider and the legal representative for Malcolm X...
, and civic watchdog Joel Harnett.
Republican
Roy Goodman served in the State Senate. Barry FarberBarry Farber
Barry M. Farber is an American conservative radio talk show host, author and language-learning enthusiast. In 2002, industry publication Talkers magazine ranked him the 9th greatest radio talk show host of all time. He has also written articles appearing in the New York Times, Reader's Digest,...
, a conservative radio talk show host, also ran.
Liberal party
The Liberal Party convention was held on May 19, 1977. Cuomo defeated Abzug for the nomination.Results
- Source: OurCampaigns.com
Republican primary
The Republican primary was held on September 8, 1977. Goodman defeated Farber.Results
- Source: OurCampaigns.com
Democratic primary
The Democratic primary was held on September 8, 1977.Koch ran to the right of the other candidates, on a "law and order
Law and order (politics)
In politics, law and order refers to demands for a strict criminal justice system, especially in relation to violent and property crime, through harsher criminal penalties...
" platform. According to historian Jonathan Mahler, the blackout
New York City blackout of 1977
The New York City blackout of 1977 was an electricity blackout affected most of New York City from July 13, 1977 to July 14, 1977. The only neighborhoods in New York City that were not affected were in southern Queens, and neighborhoods of the Rockaways, which are part of the Long Island Lighting...
that happened in July of that year, and the subsequent rioting, helped catapult Koch and his message of restoring public safety to front-runner status.
Bailout
In 1975, with the city on the verge of bankruptcyBankruptcy
Bankruptcy is a legal status of an insolvent person or an organisation, that is, one that cannot repay the debts owed to creditors. In most jurisdictions bankruptcy is imposed by a court order, often initiated by the debtor....
, Mayor Beame asked the federal government for a bailout. President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Gerald Ford
Gerald Ford
Gerald Rudolph "Jerry" Ford, Jr. was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977, and the 40th Vice President of the United States serving from 1973 to 1974...
refused, leading to the inaccurate but memorable New York Daily News
New York Daily News
The Daily News of New York City is the fourth most widely circulated daily newspaper in the United States with a daily circulation of 605,677, as of November 1, 2011....
headline: "Ford to City: Drop Dead". As a result, Mayor Beame laid off many police officers and other city employees, which came with an increase in crime.
A 982-page report from the Securities and Exchange Commission blamed Beame's mismanagement for the city's financial mess, which his opponents seized on as an electoral issue.
Blackout
A major blackoutNew York City blackout of 1977
The New York City blackout of 1977 was an electricity blackout affected most of New York City from July 13, 1977 to July 14, 1977. The only neighborhoods in New York City that were not affected were in southern Queens, and neighborhoods of the Rockaways, which are part of the Long Island Lighting...
affected New York City from July 13, 1977 to July 14, 1977. The blackout was localized to New York City and the immediate surroundings, and resulted in city-wide looting.
Mayor Beame accused Con Edison, the power provider for New York City, of "gross negligence". Koch criticized Beame for losing control of the streets and failing to ask Governor Carey to call in the National Guard.
Endorsements
- Abzug - 1199, 10,000 hospital workers; Marine Engineers Benevolent Association, Shirley MacLaineShirley MacLaineShirley MacLaine is an American film and theater actress, singer, dancer, activist and author, well-known for her beliefs in new age spirituality and reincarnation. She has written a large number of autobiographical works, many dealing with her spiritual beliefs as well as her Hollywood career...
, Marlo ThomasMarlo ThomasMargaret Julia “Marlo” Thomas is an American actress, producer, and social activist known for her starring role on the TV series That Girl . She also serves as National Outreach Director for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital... - Badillo - WCBSWCBS (AM)WCBS , often referred to as "WCBS Newsradio 880" , is a radio station in New York City. Owned by CBS Radio, the station broadcasts on a clear channel and is the flagship station of the CBS Radio Network...
Radio, the West Brooklyn Independent Democrats, several Hispanic labor organizations, Chita RiveraChita RiveraChita Rivera is an American actress, dancer, and singer best known for her roles in musical theater. She is the first Hispanic woman to receive a Kennedy Center Honors award...
, Raul JuliaRaúl JuliáRaúl Rafael Juliá y Arcelay was a Puerto Rican actor.Born in San Juan, he gained interest in acting while still in school. Upon completing his studies, Juliá decided to pursue a career in acting. After performing in the local scene for some time, he was convinced by entertainment personality Orson... - Beame - Central Labor Council, ILGWU, UFTUnited Federation of TeachersThe United Federation of Teachers is the labor union that represents most educators in New York City public schools. , there were about 118,000 in-service educators and 17,000 paraprofessionals in the union, as well as about 54,000 retired members...
, TWUTWUTWU may refer to:* Texas Woman's University, the second largest public university in Denton, Texas* Telecommunications Workers Union, a trade union in Canada* Transport Workers Union of America, a trade union in United States of America...
, John DeLury, Bert PowersBert PowersBertram Anthony "Bert" Powers was an American labor leader who was best known for leading his union, the New York Typographical Union No. 6 into a 114 day strike against four New York City newspapers in 1962-1963...
, Stanley SteingutStanley SteingutStanley Steingut was an American lawyer and politician.-Life:...
, Donald ManesDonald ManesDonald R. Manes was a controversial Democratic Party politician from New York City. He served as borough president of the New York City borough of Queens from 1971 until just before his suicide in 1986.-Career:... - Cuomo - Governor Carey, Mario BiaggiMario BiaggiMario Biaggi is a former U.S. Representative from New York and former New York City police officer. He was elected as a Democrat from The Bronx in New York City...
, New York Times, The Liberal Party, Village Voice, former Mayor Robert F. Wagner, Jr.Robert F. Wagner, Jr.Robert Ferdinand Wagner II, usually known as Robert F. Wagner, Jr. served three terms as the mayor of New York City, from 1954 through 1965.-Biography:...
, 26 labor organizations - Harnett - Don Pippin of “A Chorus LineA Chorus LineA Chorus Line is a 1975 musical about Broadway dancers auditioning for spots on a chorus line. The book was authored by James Kirkwood, Jr. and Nicholas Dante, lyrics were written by Edward Kleban, and music was composed by Marvin Hamlisch....
,” Phil Newman, business - Koch - Stephen J. SolarzStephen J. SolarzStephen Joshua Solarz was a United States Congressional Representative from New York. Solarz was both an outspoken critic of President Ronald Reagan's deployment of Marines to Lebanon in 1982 and a cosponsor of the 1991 Gulf War Authorization Act during the Presidency of George H. W...
, New York PostNew York PostThe New York Post is the 13th-oldest newspaper published in the United States and is generally acknowledged as the oldest to have been published continuously as a daily, although – as is the case with most other papers – its publication has been periodically interrupted by labor actions...
, New York Daily NewsNew York Daily NewsThe Daily News of New York City is the fourth most widely circulated daily newspaper in the United States with a daily circulation of 605,677, as of November 1, 2011....
, Citizens UnionCitizens UnionCitizens Union is one of the United States' first good government groups. Founded in 1897 as a political party, the group was reconstituted in 1908 as a non-partisan member organization with the broad mission of serving "as a watchdog for the public interest and an advocate for the common...
, Bess MyersonBess MyersonBess Myerson became the first Jewish woman to win the Miss America pageant in 1945. She appeared on various television shows in the 1950s and 1960s... - Sutton - Representative Charles Rangel, Amsterdam News, New York Voice, Ellen Sulzberger Straus, Nicholas KatzenbachNicholas KatzenbachNicholas deBelleville Katzenbach is an American lawyer who served as United States Attorney General during the Lyndon B. Johnson administration.-Early life:...
, Allied Health Services Union, New York Ministerial Alliance, Baptist Ministers Conference of Greater New York and Vicinity
Polling
| Poll Source | Dates Administered | Beame | Abzug | Cuomo | Koch | Sutton | Badillo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York Times/CBS News | August 23, 1977 | 17% | 17% | 14% | 12% | 9% | 7% |
Results
- Source: OurCampaigns.com
Democratic runoff campaign
As no candidate obtained the needed 50%, a runoff election was scheduled. The Democratic Party runoff election was held on September 19, 1977 between the top two vote getters, Koch and Cuomo.Results
- Source: OurCampaigns.com
General election
Though Koch won the runoff convincingly, Cuomo remained in the race as the Liberal Party nominee.Though Governor Carey had persuaded Cuomo to run for mayor in the first place, threw his support to Koch and urged Cuomo to stand down for the sake of party unity. Cuomo refused.
While Koch had a reputation as a crusading reformer, that summer he quietly promised plum city jobs to the political powerbrokers in the boroughs in exchange for their support. Cuomo ran on banning the death penalty, which backfired with New Yorkers, who were sick of crime. Cuomo then went negative with ads that likened Koch to unpopular former mayor John Lindsay
John Lindsay
John Vliet Lindsay was an American politician, lawyer and broadcaster who was a U.S. Congressman, Mayor of New York City, candidate for U.S...
. His supporters used the inflammatory slogan "Vote for Cuomo, Not the Homo". Meanwhile, Koch backers accused Cuomo of anti-Semitism
Anti-Semitism
Antisemitism is suspicion of, hatred toward, or discrimination against Jews for reasons connected to their Jewish heritage. According to a 2005 U.S...
and pelted Cuomo campaign cars with eggs.
Polling
| Poll Source | Dates Administered | Koch (D) | Cuomo (L) | Farber (C) | Goodman (R) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York Post | November 1–3, 1977 | 49.5% | 35.4% | 3.6% | 3.4% |
Results
- Source: OurCampaigns.com