The 2001 Los Angeles Mayoral Election: Implications for Deracialization and Biracial Coalition Theories

Abstract

In this study, we analyze the voting behavior of Whites, African Americans, and Latinos during the 2001 Los Angeles mayoral race within the context of deracialization and biracial coalition theories. We examine two questions: Why did the majority of African American voters reject a liberal, multiracial coalition for a Latino candidate in favor of a coalition of conservative Whites and Asian Americans in support of a White candidate? What implications does this campaign have for deracialized campaigns, for multiracial coalitions, and generally for the role of race in American elections? We find that effective deracialized campaigns do not always result in victories. In June 2001, James Hahn ran a successful campaign by capitalizing upon the divisions among two groups, African Americans and Latinos, which traditionally have joined coalitions in support of liberal candidates.