In the primary election, former mayor James E. Wadham and former City Councilmember John L. Bacon received the most votes and advanced to the runoff.

[1] The main three candidates to succeed Wilde were former mayor James E. Wadham, former City Councilmember John L. Bacon, and attorney Frank H.

[1] On March 22, 1921, Wadham received the highest number of votes in the primary election, followed by Bacon, allowing both men to advance to the runoff.

Heskett, who came in third and was therefore eliminated, actively supported Wadham for the runoff.

Wadham appealed to the superior court for a recount, but this did not change the outcome.