The 1927 Hamilton municipal election was held on December 5, 1927 to select one Mayor, one Hydro Commissioner, four Controllers, and sixteen members of the Hamilton, Ontario, City Council, two from each of the city's eight wards. Voters also cast ballots for trustees for the public school board, and in two bylaw referendum questions regarding an expansion to Hamilton's General Hospital and the city's sewer system.^[1][2]

Quick Facts Candidate, Party ...

1927 Hamilton, Ontario municipal election

← 1926 Monday, December 5, 1927 1928 →

Candidate William Burton Calvin Davis Party Independent Conservative Independent Liberal Popular vote 15,052 8,382

Mayor before election Freeman Treleaven Independent Elected Mayor William Burton Independent Conservative

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The 1927 Mayoral contest in Hamilton saw the retirement of sitting two-term mayor Freeman Treleaven. On Nomination Day, Treleaven was nominated for a third term by two of his supporters, George Wild and T.H. Simpson. Speaking at city hall, Treleaven indicated he felt his two terms in office had been successful and expressed discomfort at potentially being elected to a third term, as only three other mayors in the city's history up to that point had served more than two terms in office.^[3]

With Treleaven declining to seek office, the race for the mayoralty became a two-candidate contest between sitting Controller Calvin Davis and former Controller William Burton.^[3] Prior to his nomination for the office of mayor, Burton had been considered a contender for the Hydro Commissioner's seat until November 21, when the Hamilton Spectator confirmed through a campaign supporter that the former Controller's political ambitions had shifted^[4] Burton's campaign was affiliated with the local Conservative Party establishment, despite assertions that partisan politics did not play a role in local government.^[5] Burton's campaign focused on lower taxes as an incentive to business, keeping municipal spending low, and improving local business façades to present a better local image.^[6][7]

Davis' campaign began much earlier, with speculation of his mayoral ambitions appearing in the Spectator on November 2.^[8] At the time of his candidacy, Davis was the dean of Hamilton City Council, having been elected as Ward 1 Councillor in 1918 and moving to the Board of Control the following year, which was a record for continuous service on council.^[9] Davis' campaign focused on continuing outgoing mayor Treleaven's work and highlighted the close working relationship between the two.^[10]

Despite providing various levels of support to candidates in the past, the city's largest newspaper, the Spectator, opted to not endorse either candidate, rather encouraging electors to consider each candidate's administrative abilities and personal political history.^[11]

On Election Day, despite campaigning for a single week, Burton secured a commanding majority, winning every ward in the city.^[12]

More information Candidate, Affiliation ...

Summary of the December 5, 1927 Hamilton, Ontario Mayoral Election

Candidate		Affiliation	Popular vote		Elected?
			Votes	%
	William Burton	Independent Conservative	15,052	64.24%
	Calvin Davis	Independent Liberal	8,382	35.76%
Total votes			23,432
Registered voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are used as a visual differentiation between candidates and to indicate affiliation.
Sources: "Burton for Mayor; Demand of the People, Hamilton Spectator, December 6, 1927, 5,11. "Herald Results as Victory for Party," Hamilton Spectator, December 6, 1927, 5,23.

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