George Lunn: 1911-1913 would later turn Dem, winning mayorship for two more terms and eventually Congressional rep and Lieutenant governor.
John Gibbons: 1920-1922 Was elected during the height of a steel strike in the rust belt where he was from
Ben Nichols: 1989-1995 Pretty impressive he did well during the fall of the USSR. Was even fighting for gay rights at a time when it wasn’t okay.
You seem to already know about Dinkins but he’s an oddball of the bunch. He never seemed to back away from being a member of the DSA and did organize some Socialist meetings before becoming mayor. It never came up during his run though and the race was featured more on racial lines. This came during the NYC crime crisis and with Rodney King still in peoples memory. He would eventually lose to Giuliani after one term.
Thanks, comrade.
Wonder how spread out their terms were, and the period context.
That Dinkins really ran as a socialist - and won - is blowing my mind. That’s the late 80’s hellscape.
George Lunn: 1911-1913 would later turn Dem, winning mayorship for two more terms and eventually Congressional rep and Lieutenant governor.
John Gibbons: 1920-1922 Was elected during the height of a steel strike in the rust belt where he was from
Ben Nichols: 1989-1995 Pretty impressive he did well during the fall of the USSR. Was even fighting for gay rights at a time when it wasn’t okay.
You seem to already know about Dinkins but he’s an oddball of the bunch. He never seemed to back away from being a member of the DSA and did organize some Socialist meetings before becoming mayor. It never came up during his run though and the race was featured more on racial lines. This came during the NYC crime crisis and with Rodney King still in peoples memory. He would eventually lose to Giuliani after one term.
Great stuff, thanks!
Recently read that Dinkins went to visit Fidel Castro. Love that!