# James Scavotto
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{{Short description|American politician}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|name = James Scavotto
|image = Seattle City Councilmember and Mayor James Scavotto.png
|office = 38th [Mayor of Seattle](/source/Mayor_of_Seattle)
|term_start1 = April 13, 1938
|term_end1 = April 27, 1938
|predecessor1 = [John F. Dore](/source/John_F._Dore)
|successor1 = [Arthur B. Langlie](/source/Arthur_B._Langlie)
|birth_name = James Scavotto
|birth_date = 1891 (Date Uncertain)
|birth_place = [St. Louis](/source/St._Louis), [Missouri](/source/Missouri)
|death_date = {{Death date and age|1950|2|24|1891|1|1}}
|death_place = [Seattle](/source/Seattle), [Washington](/source/Washington_(state))
}}
'''James Scavotto''' (1891 – February 24, 1950) was an American politician who served six terms on the [Seattle City Council](/source/Seattle_City_Council)[{{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}}] 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.[{{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}}]
==As Mayor==
During his brief term as mayor, he was convinced by [Association of Washington Cities](/source/Association_of_Washington_Cities) representative and later first head of the [Seattle Housing Authority](/source/Seattle_Housing_Authority) Jesse Epstein to establish a "civic committee to make plans for a federal-aid housing program."[{{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}}]
==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.