{{Short description|American politician}} {{Infobox officeholder |name = James Scavotto |image = Seattle City Councilmember and Mayor James Scavotto.png |office = 38th Mayor of Seattle |term_start1 = April 13, 1938 |term_end1 = April 27, 1938 |predecessor1 = John F. Dore |successor1 = Arthur B. Langlie |birth_name = James Scavotto |birth_date = 1891 (Date Uncertain) |birth_place = St. Louis, Missouri |death_date = {{Death date and age|1950|2|24|1891|1|1}} |death_place = Seattle, Washington }}
'''James Scavotto''' (1891 – February 24, 1950) was an American politician who served six terms on the Seattle City Council<ref name="OurCampaigns">{{cite web |access-date=May 2, 2024 |date=March 30, 2006 |title=Scavotto, James |url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=112383&ShowAllEvent=Y |website=ourcampaigns.com}}</ref> and one very brief term as Mayor of Seattle, replacing John F. Dore who resigned due to rapidly failing health.
==On Council==
First elected to council under the banner of reform, Scavotto backed several initiatives as a councilmember, including a $3 minimum wage, mandatory meat inspections, an end to "secret" Council meetings, and expansion of streetcar lines.
His first term in particular also included being involved in a fistfight at City Hall, as well as an incident wherein an unidentified "youth" fired eight pistol rounds into his automobile.<ref name="il Ficcanaso">{{cite web |url=https://italianclubofseattle.org/uploads/1/1/0/4/110429487/il_ficcanaso_june_2020.pdf |title=James Scavotto, ICoS 6th President (1929)|last=Caldirola |first=Dennis |date=June 2020|website=italianclubofseattle.org |access-date=May 2, 2024}}</ref>
==As Mayor==
During his brief term as mayor, he was convinced by Association of Washington Cities representative and later first head of the Seattle Housing Authority Jesse Epstein to establish a "civic committee to make plans for a federal-aid housing program."<ref name="HistoryLink">{{cite web |url=https://www.historylink.org/File/10940 |title=Epstein, Jesse (1910-1989)|last=Caldbick |first=John |date=October 4, 2014|website=historylink.org |access-date=May 2, 2024}}</ref>
==Personal life==
Orphaned at age seven, Scavotto spent his next four years in an orphanage, attending school only through the eighth grade. His relocation to Seattle was prompted by a visit to see his brother-in law; his first place of employment in the city was at the Pike Place Market.
Upon his death, the Seattle City Council passed a resolution declaring his loss "a loss to the entire city" and praising his years of service.
James Scavotto was survived by his wife Rose, their two sons, and their grandchildren.<ref name="il Ficcanaso" />
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{SeattleMayors}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Scavotto, James}} Category:1891 births Category:1950 deaths Category:Mayors of Seattle Category:20th-century mayors of places in Washington (state) Category:Washington (state) Democrats