1971 Philadelphia mayoral election

• William J. Green III, U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania's 5th congressional district
• Ira Einhorn, counterculture figure and future convicted murderer
• Frank Lomento, pretzel vendor
• James E. Poole
• Albert Sprague, member of Local 141 of the Lithographers and Photo Engravers International Union[2]
• Frank Rizzo, Police Commissioner and acting Mayor
• Hardy Williams, State Representative from the 191st district

• David Cohen, former City Councilman (endorsed Green)

Rizzo had a reputation for his harsh policing style, and as called "the toughest cop in America".[3] He began his candidacy as the frontrunner for the nomination, with the endorsement of the city's Democratic organization.[3]

Rizzo refused to debate or attend the same events as his opponents.[3] Green refused to discus most issues, and avoided interviews or written questions by the media or civic groups.[3] He also refused to join his opponents in testifying on the city's financial problems before the Philadelphia City Council.[3] Rizzo also did not make many campaign appearances, making only a single appearance a day and only appearing in white ethnic neighborhoods considered to be friendly towards him.[3]

Rizzo repeatedly insisted that he was "not a politician".[3] Rizzo took a position against additional taxes.[3]

Rizzo had earned goodwill with many voters, who perceived his command of the police department as having staved off the sort of violent rioting other cities had experienced years earlier.[3]

Green warned voters that it would be a "disaster" if America's then-fourth largest city were to be led by Rizzo.[3]

Liberal politicians primarily supported Green.[3] Shortly before the primary, governor Milton Shapp endorsed Green (after which Rizzo attacked Shapp's record).[3]

Green's camp had attempted to get Williams to withdraw, in order to unite liberal voters around Green and against Rizzo. Williams refused.[3]

Williams was the first well-known African American to run for mayor of Philadelphia.[4]

After Shapp accused Rizzo of police brutality and Pennsylvania Attorney General J . Shane Creamer found Rizzo guilty of having beaten a black demonstator in 1965, Rizzo dismissed this as a political "cheap shot".[3]

The Philadelphia Bulletin argued that the real race was not between Rizzo and Green, but between incumbent mayor Tate and governor Shapp for control of the Philadelphia Democratic Party.[3] This newspaper declined to endorse a candidate.[3]

• Thacher Longstreth, At-large City Councilman and candidate for Mayor in 1955

Longstreth faced only nominal opposition for the nomination.[3]

• Joseph J. Frieri, candidate for Mayor in 1971

• Clarissa Cain, candidate for City Controller in 1969 and Governor in 1970

• George S. Taylor, perennial candidate

• Jean Savage

Rizzo's campaign slogan "Rizzo means business".[5] Rizzo benefited from white racial backlash.[5] He campaigned primarily in white, working class areas of the city.[5]