Richard E. Friedman papers, 1970-1971

Collection is open for research use.

All rights owned by the donor, including copyright, were deeded to Chicago Historical Society. Copyright may be retained by the creators of items, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law, unless otherwise noted.

Gift of Richard E. Friedman (accession #: 2010.0031).

Ricard Friedman papers, 1970-1971 (Chicago History Museum) plus a detailed description, date, and box/folder number of a specific item.

Correspondence, speech transcripts, materials relating to media relations, research files, newspaper clippings, and other papers primarily relating to Richard E. Friedman's 1971 campaign in the April general election against incumbent Richard J. Daley to become mayor of Chicago. Also included are copies of Friedman News, Friedman's campaign newsletter, and materials relating to Friedman’s political platform and his stance on issues concerning Chicago during the early 1970s. These issues included gangs, education, health, minority populations, taxes, and how to make progress on issues raised by the recent Illinois Constitutional Convention. Friedman ran on the Republican ticket.

Richard E. Friedman, a Chicago lawyer, ran against incumbent Richard J. Daley as the Republican candidate in the 1971 Chicago mayoral election. Daley ultimately defeated Friedman by winning 70% of the vote on April 6, 1971.

• Names
  • Friedman, Richard E., b. 1929--Archives
  • Daley, Richard J., 1902-1976
  • Chicago (Ill.) Mayor
  • Illinois. Constitutional Convention (1969-1970)
  • Republican Party (Chicago, Ill.)
• Subject
  • African Americans--Illinois--Chicago--Politics and government--20th century
  • Campaign literature--1971--Republican--Illinois--Chicago
  • Constitutional conventions--Illinois--20th century
  • Crime--Illinois--Chicago--20th century
  • Elections--Illinois--Chicago--1971
  • Lawyers--Illinois--Chicago--20th century
  • Mayors--Illinois--Chicago--20th century
  • Politicians--Illinois--Chicago--20th century
• Geographic Coverage
  • Chicago (Ill.)--Politics and government--20th century
  • Chicago (Ill.)--Social conditions--20th century

The collection is arranged in three series.

Series 1. General campaign files 1970-1971 (box 1-3)

Series 1 consists of correspondences, research files, speech transcripts, financial papers, headquarters information and staffing sheets, news releases, voter outreach materials, and other papers regarding Friedman's 1971 mayoral campaign. Research files include information on voter demographics and Richard J. Daley. Also present are copies of Friedman News, Friedman's campaign newsletter which notified the public about events and Friedman’s campaign.

Series 2. Platform and issues materials, 1970-1971 (box 3-4)

Series 2 contains notes, speech transcripts, and other materials relating to Friedman’s political platform and his stance on issues concerning Chicago during the early 1970s. Many of the speeches were given during debates or at public appearances throughout the course of Friedman’s mayoral campaign. Topics include gangs, education, the Con-Con issue, African-Americans, Hispanics and Latinos, taxes, health, and the Chicago Housing Authority.

Series 3. Newspaper clippings, 1970-1971 (box 4-7)

Series 3 includes newspaper clippings that relate Friedman's 1971 mayoral campaign. Topics include Richard J. Daley and campaign progress, forecasts, polls, and issues. Newspaper clippings in boxes 5, 6, and 7 are arranged chronologically.