He explored a run for the governor’s mansion in 1931 as a Democrat but dropped out and supported George Earle, who won the election.

Wilson won the election, but by only 45,000 votes, a strong result for the Democrats in the reliably Republican city.

[1] As mayor, he clashed with Republican leaders and took on the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company and UGI, the city’s gas operator.

[2] The race wasn’t close and Earle won handily by over 500,000 votes with Davis failing to carry any wards in Philadelphia.

The district attorney of Philadelphia secured an indictment against him for failure to stop widespread gambling in the city, but a judge dismissed the charges.