Municipal elections in California, including Mayor of Los Angeles, are officially nonpartisan; candidates' party affiliations do not appear on the ballot.

He was challenged by George A. Smith, a fellow Republican and former Councilman, William C. Mushet, an Independent who was the Los Angeles City Auditor, and Oscar Eugene Farish, a Democrat and former Councilman.

[2] In the results, Smith had a lead by a small margin, placing him on the ballot.

[3] After the results of the primary were released, Mushet sued for a recount, alleging misconduct in every precinct.

[4] A month later, he stated that he had "failed to gain a place on the ballot partly because of a defect in the primary election law.