1919 Chicago mayoral election
In the Chicago mayoral election of 1919, Republican William H. Thompson won reelection, winning a four way race against Democrat Robert Sweitzer, independent candidate Maclay Hoyne, and Cook County Labor Party candidate John Fitzpatrick. Sweitzer was the incumbent Cook County clerk, while Hoyne was the incumbent Cook County state's attorney. Fitzpatrick was a trade unionist.
Image: William Hale Thompson (Moffett 1) (a)
Image: Rob't. M. Sweitzer LCCN2014697262 (1)
Image: Maclay Hoyne (b)
Image: John Fitzpatrick (a)
William Hale Thompson was an American politician who served as mayor of Chicago from 1915 to 1923 and again from 1927 to 1931. Known as "Big Bill", he is the most recent Republican to have served as mayor of Chicago. Historians rank him among the most unethical mayors in American history, mainly for his open alliance with Al Capone. However, others recognize the effectiveness of his political methods and publicity-oriented campaigning, acknowledging him as a "Political Chameleon" and an effective political machine.
Thompson, photographed between 1911 and 1917
Thompson circa 1900
Thompson during his 1915 mayoral campaign
1927 "America First" political advertisement advocating isolationism and establishing emotional ties of Thompson with his German and Irish supporters by vilifying the United Kingdom, a close ally
