The 1933 Los Angeles mayoral election took place on May 2, 1933, with a run-off election on June 6, 1933. Incumbent John Clinton Porter was defeated by Frank L. Shaw, a Los Angeles County Supervisor, in the runoff election.[1] During the election, Shaw's citizenship was questions as his birth records could not be located.[2]
Municipal elections in California, including Mayor of Los Angeles, are officially nonpartisan; candidates' party affiliations do not appear on the ballot.[3]
Incumbent John Clinton Porter announced that he would be running for re-election.[4] He was challenged by Los Angeles County SupervisorFrank L. Shaw, former Mayor George E. Cryer, and State AssemblymemberCharles W. Dempster.
During the election, Shaw's citizenship came under question, as he had been born in Warwick, Ontario, Canada, and his birth records were not found.[5] Because of his birth records, a complaint was filed to try to prevent him from becoming mayor, asserting that he was still only a citizen of Canada and not a citizen of the United States.[6][7] In the runoff election, Shaw beat Porter by a comfortable margin.[1]