Incumbent Mayor Edwin M. Capps declined to run for re-election, leaving an open seat.

[3] The main challengers for the open seat were local department store owner and philanthropist George Marston, a Progressive, and banker Louis J. Wilde, a Republican.

In his campaign, he advocated for city planning, energy conservation, and building and pollution controls on industrial development.

[5] Wilde billed himself as the "Smokestack Candidate" and labeled his opponent "Geranium George", giving the election its nickname.

In the April 3, 1917 runoff between the top-two candidates, Wilde received a majority and was elected mayor.