ABSTRACT
The 1983 mayoral election in Philadelphia heralded a breakthrough for big-city mayors, particularly black mayors. The election of Wilson Goode, a professional manager educated at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, would permit a public administrator to occupy the mayor’s office. Goode’s 1983 quest for mayor, his first attempt to win an elective office, emphasized his previous record of competence, strong work habits, experience, and a reputation as a “no-nonsense” city managing director in the William Green administration. Goode’s management background, particularly his outstanding tenure as the former city managing director and his chairmanship of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, were unique routes to the mayor’s office. Mayor Goode maintained enough of his black base to win reelection in 1987. Mayor Goode’s inability to demonstrate strong political leadership for building a broad consensus for many of his major initiatives has reduced his tenure to a caretaker administration.
