La Guardia--New York's First Three-Term Mayor

Mayor Fiorello Henry LaGuradia courtesy of the WNYC Archives Collection

On the eve of election day we combed through the WNYC archives to find what New York's first three-term mayor, Fiorello Henry La Guardia, who served from 1934-1945, said at his third election. La Guardia was the first Italian-American to climb that high on the political ladder in America. He was also a Republican and is credited with helping New York garner large amounts of federal funding for public works during the New Deal.


After being elected for a third term on November 5, 1941 La Guardia gave this speech:

Special thanks to WNYC's Director of Archives Andy Lanset