Sam Yorty

Sam Yorty was an American politician who served as the 37th Mayor of Los Angeles from 1961 to 1973. A colorful and often controversial figure, his tenure spanned a period of significant growth and social upheaval in the city, including the Watts riots and the rise of the Black Power movement. Originally a New Deal Democrat, his political views shifted rightward over his career, culminating in a switch to the Republican Party in 1980. Yorty also served in the California State Assembly and the United States House of Representatives.

Early life and education

Samuel William Yorty was born on October 1, 1909, in Lincoln, Nebraska, to parents of Irish descent. His family moved to Los Angeles when he was a child, and he was educated in the city's public schools, graduating from Lincoln High School. He attended Los Angeles City College before earning his law degree from Southwestern Law School in 1936. During the Great Depression, Yorty worked various jobs, including as a carnival barker, an experience that later informed his flamboyant political style.

Early political career

Yorty's political career began with his election as a Democrat to the California State Assembly in 1936, representing a district in Los Angeles. A staunch supporter of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal, he served until 1940. He then won election to the United States House of Representatives, serving from 1951 to 1955 after a hiatus during World War II, where he served as a captain in the United States Army Air Forces. His time in Congress was marked by strong anti-communism and investigations into alleged communist influence in Hollywood.

Mayor of Los Angeles

Elected mayor in 1961 after defeating incumbent Norris Poulson, Yorty's administration focused on promoting business growth and a tough stance on crime. His tenure was immediately tested by the devastating Baldwin Hills Dam disaster in 1963. He faced severe criticism for his handling of the 1965 Watts riots, with many community leaders and his eventual rival, Tom Bradley, accusing him of being disconnected from the city's African-American communities. Yorty was a strong supporter of the Los Angeles Police Department and its chief, William H. Parker. He won re-election in 1965 and again in 1969 in a racially charged campaign against Bradley, leveraging support from conservative white voters in the San Fernando Valley. His final term saw the opening of the Los Angeles Convention Center and continued battles with the Los Angeles City Council.

Later political activities

After leaving the mayor's office in 1973, Yorty remained politically active. He made unsuccessful bids for governor of California in 1966 and 1974, and for the United States Senate in 1970 and 1980. His political ideology continued to shift, and he formally switched his registration to the Republican Party in 1980, endorsing Ronald Reagan for president. He hosted a syndicated talk show and wrote a newspaper column, often criticizing his successors at Los Angeles City Hall. In 1991, he made a final, unsuccessful attempt to return as mayor, finishing fifth in the primary.

Personal life and death

Yorty married Betty Yorty (née Hempel) in 1935, and the couple had one son. He was a member of the American Legion and the Masons. In his later years, he lived in the Studio City neighborhood. Sam Yorty died of congestive heart failure on June 5, 1998, at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Los Angeles. He was interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills). His papers are housed at the University of Southern California.

Category:1909 births Category:1998 deaths Category:Mayors of Los Angeles Category:California Republicans Category:California Democrats