Municipal elections in California are officially non-partisan, though some candidates do receive funding and support from various political parties.

[3] Dick Carlson, a former anchorman and savings-and-loans executive, was considered Hedgecock's main challenger.

Carlson, on the other hand, was criticized for being inexperienced in government and for going back on a promises not to use his personal fortune in the campaign.

[6] Because Hedgecock was short of an overall majority of the vote, he and Carlson advanced to a runoff election scheduled for November 6, 1984.

Hedgecock ultimately prevailed in the general election with 57.9 percent of the vote, and was reelected as mayor.