[1] In the early stages of the campaign, support formed around two candidates, public works director Joseph G. Armstrong and U.S. Representative Stephen G. Porter.

Senators George T. Oliver and Boies Penrose and local Republican leader Max G. Leslie backed Armstrong.

[1] Although the candidates were officially non-partisan, the press identified Armstrong and Porter as Republicans,[3] Frank I. Gosser as a Democrat,[4] William J.

[5] Victor Breitenstein styled himself as "the workingmen's independent candidate" but rejected a socialist label.

[7] As no candidate received a majority of votes in the primary, a runoff election was held between the top two finishers, Porter and Armstrong.