The significance of Charles Bowser
CHARLES W. Bowser, who died yesterday at 79, tried twice to become the city's first black mayor. As an independent in 1975, Bowser came in second to Democrat Frank Rizzo but ahead of Republican Tom Foglietta. In '79, he came within 37,000 votes of winning the Democratic primary against eventual mayor Bill Green.
CHARLES W. Bowser, who died yesterday at 79, tried twice to become the city's first black mayor.
As an independent in 1975, Bowser came in second to Democrat Frank Rizzo but ahead of Republican Tom Foglietta. In '79, he came within 37,000 votes of winning the Democratic primary against eventual mayor Bill Green.
But while his own candidacies were unsuccessful, Bowser blazed a trail for African-American leaders in this city. His advice, support and political savvy were critical to the election of the man who did reach that milestone in 1983, W. Wilson Goode.
Bowser was a brilliant lawyer and political strategist, but was often filled with rage, some of it directed at other politicians, and some at this newspaper, against which he organized a boycott in 1990 for what he said was racist news coverage.
Charlie Bowser was complicated. He was also a pivotal figure in Philadelphia history.