1910 California gubernatorial election

none January 2025 September 2023 1910 California gubernatorial election California presidential no Flag of California (1909).pngborder 1906 California gubernatorial election 1906 1914 California gubernatorial election 1914 1910 11 8 Souvenir of the unveiling, dedication and presentation of the Abraham Lincoln G. A. R. memorial monument - dedicated to the veterans of the Civil War, 1861-1865, at Long Beach, California, July 3rd, (14576262447).jpg Hiram Johnson Republican Party (United States) 177,191 45.94% Theodore A. Bell LCCN2014693255 (cropped 2).jpg Theodore Arlington Bell Democratic Party (United States) 154,835 40.14% File:J. Stitt Wilson circa 1916.jpg J. Stitt Wilson Socialist Party of America 47,819 12.40% 1910 California gubernatorial election results map by county.svg x250px County resultsJohnson: #ffb2b2 40–50% #e27f7f 50–60% #c21b18 80–90%Bell: #a5b0ff 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% James Gillett Republican Party (United States) Hiram Johnson Republican Party (United States) Governor The 1910 California gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1910. Incumbent Republican governor James Gillett opted not to seek re-election to a second term in office. Hiram Johnson defeated Theodore Arlington Bell and J. Stitt Wilson to win the open race. Primary elections were held on August 16. Johnson won the Republican nomination over three conservative opponents. Bell won the Democratic nomination for a second consecutive race over Thomas J. Geary. Johnson won the election with 45.9 percent of the popular vote. This was the first gubernatorial election in which Fresno, Modoc, San Benito, Stanislaus, and Tulare counties voted for a Republican candidate. These Republican gains foreshadowed the party's future dominance of California elections, which would persist through 1954 with only one interruption. Background Incumbent governor James Gillett was elected on the Republican ticket in 1906. Gillett's nomination at the party convention was controversial, and during the general election campaign he was consistently accused of being in the pocket of the Southern Pacific Railroad. Despite this, he had been successful as governor, leading in the creation of the state's highway system and developing parole guidelines.James Gillett https://governors.library.ca.gov/22-Gillett.html The Governors Gallery California State Library 17 May 2024 However, he was suffering financially and decided not to seek a second term. He instead opted to pursue private legal practice.Gov. James Norris Gillett https://www.nga.org/governor/james-norris-gillett/ National Governors Association 17 May 2024 His intentions were made clear on January 30, when he announced through a published letter to the California Republican Party that he would not seek the nomination because, "It is for the best interest of myself and family that I should again resume the practice of my profession, and I can not well afford to continue in the office of governor for another, period of four years."30 January 1910 Gillett Not a Candidate for a Second Term https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SFC19100130.2.3 30 May 2024 San Francisco Call This was the first election held following the adoption of new primary election laws, which established closed primaries for both major parties.1 July 1910 SHALL THE "DECLINE TO STATE" VOTER "STAND PAT" OR "TURN REPUBLICAN" IN ORDER TO "HELP OUT" JOHNSON — This Matter Ought to Be Carefully Considered and the Facts of the Situation as Here Set Forth Should Be Carefully Weighed by the Good Government People https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SLODT19100701.2.2 12 October 2024 San Luis Obispo Daily Telegram Republican primary Candidates Alden Anderson, former lieutenant governor and Speaker of the California State Assembly Charles F. Curry, Secretary of State of California since 1899 Nathaniel Ellery Hiram Johnson, San Francisco attorney and reform activist Phillip A. Stanton, speaker of the California State Assembly Withdrew Charles M. Belshaw, former assemblyman from Contra Costa County (endorsed Johnson) Frank K. Mott, mayor of Oakland (endorsed Johnson) Declined William Rude Davis, former mayor of Oakland James Gillett, incumbent governor since 1907 (declined January 30, 1910) Francis J. Heney, prosecutor in the San Francisco graft trials Chester Rowell, mayor of Fresno Campaign After Gillett's announcement, there were multiple candidates contending for the Republican nomination. The most prominent was Charles F. Curry, the secretary of state for California and early favorite. Curry was so confident of victory that he predicted he would be the next governor on the same day that Gillett's announcement was made.30 January 1910 Curry Thinks His Nomination and Election Are Now Certain https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SFC19100130.2.20 30 May 2024 San Francisco Call Oakland mayor Frank K. Mott and Francis J. Heney, who had led the San Francisco graft prosecutions of 190608, considered runs. Hiram Johnson, Chester Rowell, and William R. Davis all announced that they were not seeking the nomination.31 January 1910 Governor's Letter Starts Hot Race for Nomination https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=MFP19100131.2.5 30 May 2024 Ventura Free Press Lincoln–Roosevelt League endorsement The Lincoln–Roosevelt League, a faction representing progressive elements of the Republican Party, struggled to find a candidate. The league initially tried to draft Hiram Johnson, but he rejected their support, and the League split between supporters of Charles M. Belshaw or former Oakland mayor William Rude Davis.8 February 1910 League Fails to Agree on a Candidate https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SFC19100208.2.3 30 May 2024 San Francisco Call In early February, it was reported that the League was instead split between Belshaw and Davis's successor, Frank K. Mott.19 February 1910 Trouble in the League – Much Mystery and Lack of Harmony in the Camp of the Lincoln-Roosevelt Reformers https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SDDU19100219.2.53 31 May 2024 San Diego Union and Daily Bee On February 20, Hiram Johnson announced that he would run under the banner of the Lincoln-Roosevelt League.20 February 1910 Johnson Agrees to Lead Battle of the League https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SFC19100220.2.29 31 May 2024 San Francisco Call He stated, "It seems to be my turn to make the sacrifice and I am going to make it. For two months, the utmost pressure has been brought to bear upon me. I had steadfastly refused to become a candidate, but it was placed before me in such a fashion that I was forced to fail in my duty or accept. So I am going ahead, making the fight as a progressive Republican on the Roosevelt lines. I am going to make this fight an endeavor to return the government of California to the people and take it away from the political bureau of the Southern Pacific railway company. If nothing else can be accomplished, we can teach the people the lesson talked by our last president and that is being talked today to the people of the United States by [Wisconsin senator Robert] La Follette."20 February 1910 Fight to Rescue State https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SFC19100220.2.31.1 31 May 2024 San Francisco Call Shortly after Johnson's announcement, former governor George Pardee endorsed him.22 February 1910 Pardee Favors Hiram Johnson for Governor https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=LAH19100222.2.93 31 May 2024 Los Angeles Herald Johnson campaign against conservatives Having secured the support of the progressive faction, Johnson faced three leading opponents (Curry, Alden Anderson, and Phillip A. Stanton) from the conservative wing of the party. One major obstacle to the Johnson campaign was the state's new primary law; although popular primaries were a progressive reform, the closed nature of the party primary required voters to register with a party in order to cast a ballot. Johnson supporters worked to convince independents to register as Republicans in order to cast a ballot for him. Johnson began making plans for a tour of California in late February, intending to visit every part of the state.Van Smith George A. 1 March 1910 Johnson Outlines Sizzling Campaign https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SFC19100301.2.115 3 August 2024 San Francisco Call He launched his campaign in Southern California, where he visited Long Beach, inspected Los Angeles Harbor and hosted an informal Los Angeles reception.12 March 1910 JOHNSON FLAYS BOARD; SAYS TAX BURDEN OUTRAGE https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=LAH19100312.2.14 24 August 2024 Los Angeles Herald Albert Joseph Wallace, the former chair of the Los Angeles City Council committee on finance, was chosen as Johnson's running mate.15 March 1910 JOHNSON OPENS HIS GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGN 452 HEAR CANDIDATES SPEAK AT THE GARRICK URGES FOLLOWERS TO FIGHT LIKE SOLDIERS DOWN WITH BOSSES, SLOGAN OF NEW PARTY LEADER Appeals to San Diegans to Lift Yoke and Gain Owner-ship of Harbor Confident of Victory, Will Tour Entire State by Means of Automobile. https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SDDU19100315.2.53 9 September 2024 San Diego Union and Daily Bee On March 20, the Asiatic Exclusion League hosted a candidate forum on the "Japanese question." Curry strongly declared his support, while Anderson and Johnson declined the invitation with regrets.22 March 1910 CANDIDATE SPEAK TO THE EXCLUSION LEAGUE- Alden Anderson Sends Regrets, and Stanton and Johnson Ignore the Invitation - Santa Clara Orchardists Plan to Change Time of Vacation. https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SJMN19100322.2.49 14 September 2024 San Jose Mercury-news The conservative faction of the Republican Party was not popular, and the League campaigned on a challenge to the status quo. Johnson's barnstorming tour pulled in huge crowds across the state, while his opponents struggled to consolidate the conservative vote and gain momentum.20 March 1910 MACHINE REGULARS ARE FACING CRISIS https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=LAH19100320.2.3 14 September 2024 Los Angeles Herald Johnson received support from some Hispanic Americans and was endorsed by Alfonso E. Garcia, president of the Hispano-American Republican League.16 August 1910 SPANISH-AMERICANS READ LEAGUE APPEAL https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=LAH19100816.2.82.51.8 12 October 2024 Los Angeles Herald By the time of the primary election, newspapers across the state considered Johnson the likely nominee.12 August 1910 JOHNSON VICTORY IS NOW ASSURED https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=LAH19100812.2.102.60.5 12 October 2024 Los Angeles Herald14 August 1910 LANDSLIDE FOR HIRAM JOHNSON PREDICTED. https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SJMN19100814.2.49 12 October 2024 San Jose Mercury-news Results thumb|Sample ballot for the Republican Party primary in Sacramento, California. 1910 Johnson won the nomination. Democratic primary Candidates Theodore Arlington Bell, former U.S. representative from St. Helena and nominee in 1906 Thomas J. Geary, former U.S. representative from Santa Rosa John B. Sanford, state senator from Ukiah The three main candidates for the Democratic nomination were former runner up and congressman Theodore Arlington Bell, former congressman Thomas J. Geary, and State Senator John B. Sanford.The Gubernatorial Whirlpool https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=NN19100302.2.29 2 June 2024 Newcastle News 2 March 1910 On March 10, Theodore Bell announced his candidacy for governor in San Francisco. Bell ran on an anti-railroad platform.BELL FORMALLY ANNOUNCES HIS CANDIDACY FOR GOVERNOR https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=LAH19100311.2.38 24 August 2024 Los Angeles Herald 11 March 1910 On May 28, he visited the town of Hanford, California, where he was interviewed by a reporter. In the interview he blamed the Independence Party and William Langdon for splitting the Democratic vote in his loss of the 1906 California gubernatorial election. He also stated he did not believe that anyone would seriously challenge him for the Democratic nomination.Theodore Bell Here – Interviewed About His Candidacy — Was Here on Legal Business. https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=HS19100602.2.21 27 July 2024 Hanford Sentinel 2 June 1910 Bell was proven correct when it was reported that the California Democratic Committee was not seeing any contests for the major state nominations.Democratic Candidates – State Central Committee Will Circulate Petitions https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=UDS19100604.2.32 27 July 2024 Union Democrat 4 June 1910 During the primary, Bell was the only candidate who attended the Asiatic Exclusion League candidate forum on March 30 without expressing his support for immigration exclusion. Results Bell won the primary, and Timothy Spellacy was nominated for lieutenant governor.Insurgents Win Overwhelmingly; Down Old Guard https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=LAH19100817.2.16 27 July 2024 Los Angeles Herald 17 August 1910 General election Candidates Theodore Arlington Bell, former U.S. representative from St. Helena and nominee in 1906 (Democratic) Hiram Johnson, San Francisco attorney and reform activist (Republican) Simone P. Meads, Oakland schoolteacher and authorOctober 2, 1940 Simeon P. Meads, Pioneer Oakland Educator, Dies https://www.newspapers.com/article/oakland-tribune-simeon-p-meads-obituary/79700527/ 2 June 2024 Oakland Tribune8 September 1910 Prohibition Party Has Adopted A Good Platform https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=FHD19100908.2.13 17 May 2024 Fresno Evening Herald The Associated Press (Prohibition) J. Stitt Wilson, Christian socialist activist and orator (Socialist) Simone P. Meads of the Prohibition Party ran on a platform supporting the public ownership of utilities, women's suffrage, and the implementation of referendum, reform, and recall ballot measures. Campaign thumb|right|An appeal for Bell in the San Francisco News Letter, November 5, 1910 After both the August 16 primaries, Bell and Johnson emerged as the top two choices for the governorship.Bell and Johnson Win Nominations https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=LAH19100817.2.14 12 October 2024 Los Angeles Herald 17 August 1910 Both candidates agreed on the primary issue in the campaign, which was opposition to the Southern Pacific railroad corporation and its influence on politics. Johnson's victory undermined Bell's message, which had been aimed at the incumbent Gillett administration and Johnson's primary opponents.20 August 1910 DEMOCRATS PLAN TO BEGIN BATTLE https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=LAH19100820.2.122.84 13 October 2024 Los Angeles Herald26 August 1910 JOHNSON'S VICTORY https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=AL19100826.2.16 13 October 2024 Amador Ledger-Dispatch Newspapers across California favored Johnson.15 September 1910 NO CHANCE FOR BELL https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=MJ19100915.2.12 13 October 2024 Marin Journal Bell and Johnson were challenged by Christian socialist J. Stitt Wilson, who travelled the state in a red automobile nicknamed the "Red Special",30 May 1910 Socialist Candidate to Campaign in Red Auto https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=LAH19100530.2.6 17 May 2024 Los Angeles Herald a direct reference to the train that party leader Eugene V. Debs had traveled on during the 1908 presidential election.Eugene V. Debs looking out window of the "Red Special" train, 1908 https://indstate.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/isulib/id/8769/ 17 May 2024 Indiana State University Library Wilson ran a vigorous campaign relying on his reputation for oratory, and he challenged the other candidates to debate. Debs also visited the state and campaigned for Wilson over two weeks.28 June 1910 Wilson Will Have a Say In This City Socialist Candidate tor Governor is Preparing for a Vigorous Campaign https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SLODT19100628.2.32 17 May 2024 San Luis Obispo Daily Telegram Both candidates also agreed on the prevention of Japanese and Chinese immigration. During the primaries, Johnson had declined a request to attend a candidate forum hosted by the Asiatic Exclusion League, expressing regret over his absence. Bell had been the lone candidate in either party to attend but decline to declare his support for the League. Bell made his position clear on the topic during a speech in Watsonville, stating that he wanted to "prevent the invasion of the yellow, brown and Hindu hordes." Bell continued, "I shall also stand for a state law to prevent Asiatics from gaining ownership of land in this state and, thirdly, I propose to make it impossible for Asiatics to sit in the same schools with your child and my child. I don't care whether it loses me a vote or not, but I'm against the whole bunch of them. I want to see this country for white men and populated by people willing to go out and fight for our flag."BELL PURPOSES TO EXCLUDE ASIATICS https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SFC19100922.2.29 13 October 2024 San Francisco Call 22 September 1910 Johnson later proposed and signed the California Alien Land Law of 1913, introducing such restrictions on foreign ownership of California land into law. Towards the end of the campaign, Bell and Johnson attacked each other for their respective prior relationships with the Southern Pacific and other corporate entities.Johnson's Victory Is Assured https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SFC19101031.2.37.1 13 October 2024 San Francisco Call 31 October 1910 Days before the election, Johnson supporters alleged that the Southern Pacific had ordered employees to vote for Bell, supporting their claim that Bell would be lenient on the railroad and its allies.Hiram Johnson Is Greeted As Conquering hero - Southern Pacific Employes Are Ordered to Vote for Bell - VOTERS ARE WARNED AGAINST LATE ATTACKS https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SFC19101105.2.2 13 October 2024 San Francisco Call 5 November 1910 In the final days of the campaign, newspapers predicted that Hiram Johnson would win the election.JOHNSON IS LOCAL FAVORITE: NO TAKERS OF COLLINS MONEY REPUBLICANS SURE OF VICTORY https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=VMD19101108.1.1 13 October 2024 Visalia Morning Delta 8 November 1910 Results 1910 gubernatorial election, CaliforniaStatement of the Vote of California at the General Election, Held November 8, 1910 California Secretary of State State Printing Office Sacramento, California 2 https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.31970020666662&view=1up&seq=8 18 July 2024 Republican Party (United States) Hiram W. Johnson 177,191 45.94% 5.59 Democratic Party (United States) Theodore Arlington Bell 154,835 40.14% 2.43 Socialist Party of America J. Stitt Wilson 47,819 12.40% 7.26 Prohibition Party (United States) Simeon P. Meads 5,807 1.51% 0.85 Scattering 61 0.02% 22,356 5.80% 385,713 100.00% Republican Party (United States) +3.15% Results by county County Hiram W. JohnsonRepublican Theodore A. BellDemocratic J. Stitt WilsonSocialist Simeon P. MeadsProhibition ScatteringWrite-in Margin Total votes cast # % # % # % # % # % # %Alameda15,82649.46%9,82130.69%5,74317.95%6101.91%00.00%6,00518.77%32,000Alpine6587.84%912.16%00.00%00.00%00.00%5675.68%74Amador1,00046.64%1,10051.31%401.87%40.19%00.00%-100-4.66%2,144Butte2,69246.17%2,50743.00%5499.42%781.34%40.07%1853.17%5,830Calaveras1,03743.74%1,12747.53%1877.89%200.84%00.00%-90-3.80%2,371Colusa64932.53%1,31365.81%271.35%60.30%00.00%-664-33.28%1,995Contra Costa2,60346.45%2,31941.38%63911.40%430.77%00.00%2845.07%5,604Del Norte39051.18%31641.47%496.43%70.92%00.00%749.71%762El Dorado81040.72%1,07253.90%1025.13%50.25%00.00%-262-13.17%1,989Fresno6,20047.54%5,45541.83%1,1859.09%2011.54%00.00%7455.71%13,041Glenn58536.86%95560.18%352.21%120.76%00.00%-370-23.31%1,587Humboldt3,05049.89%1,68827.61%1,32421.66%470.77%40.07%1,36222.28%6,113Imperial1,10647.55%80134.44%36615.74%532.28%00.00%30513.11%2,326Inyo58241.51%63445.22%15711.20%292.07%00.00%-52-3.71%1,402Kern2,68040.19%3,41051.13%5488.22%310.46%00.00%-730-10.95%6,669Kings1,50050.05%1,14938.34%30510.18%431.43%00.00%35111.71%2,997Lake57039.97%74452.17%835.82%292.03%00.00%-174-12.20%1,426Lassen62254.04%43737.97%877.56%50.43%00.00%18516.07%1,151Los Angeles30,51345.78%23,05134.58%11,12916.70%1,9292.89%340.05%7,46211.19%66,656Madera75044.75%77746.36%1408.35%90.54%00.00%-27-1.61%1,676Marin1,95546.60%1,89745.22%3357.99%80.19%00.00%581.38%4,195Mariposa40339.78%56255.48%414.05%70.69%00.00%-159-15.70%1,013Mendocino2,11944.63%2,25947.58%3387.12%320.67%00.00%-140-2.95%4,748Merced1,21243.29%1,31146.82%2177.75%592.11%10.04%-99-3.54%2,800Modoc63550.56%59046.97%251.99%60.48%00.00%453.58%1,256Mono23055.29%15637.50%286.73%10.24%10.24%7417.79%416Monterey2,58055.16%1,83939.32%1593.40%982.10%10.02%74115.84%4,677Napa1,62938.46%2,37256.00%2125.00%230.54%00.00%-743-17.54%4,236Nevada1,39843.20%1,29039.86%53116.41%170.53%00.00%1083.34%3,236Orange3,02646.94%2,69541.80%4677.24%2594.02%00.00%3315.13%6,447Placer1,56046.06%1,60347.33%1875.52%361.06%10.03%-43-1.27%3,387Plumas62256.04%42338.11%615.50%40.36%00.00%19917.93%1,110Riverside3,02651.64%1,91432.66%69011.77%2283.89%20.03%1,11218.98%5,860Sacramento5,21742.44%6,03349.08%9948.09%490.40%00.00%-816-6.64%12,293San Benito91548.59%87446.42%743.93%201.06%00.00%412.18%1,883San Bernardino4,11145.06%3,61139.58%1,02511.23%3774.13%00.00%5005.48%9,124San Diego4,51447.62%2,96631.29%1,87019.73%1291.36%00.00%1,54816.33%9,479San Francisco25,52843.13%24,06540.66%9,47616.01%1130.19%00.00%1,4632.47%59,182San Joaquin3,96945.32%3,85143.98%8519.72%860.98%00.00%1181.35%8,757San Luis Obispo2,12150.95%1,28530.87%72617.44%310.74%00.00%83620.08%4,163San Mateo2,38949.42%1,82837.82%59912.39%170.35%10.02%56111.61%4,834Santa Barbara2,33449.24%1,99542.09%3667.72%430.91%20.04%3397.15%4,740Santa Clara7,07849.66%5,41638.00%1,51310.62%2401.68%50.04%1,66211.66%14,252Santa Cruz2,50854.63%1,70637.16%2916.34%861.87%00.00%80217.47%4,591Shasta1,72346.02%1,60642.90%39810.63%160.43%10.03%1173.13%3,744Sierra54255.53%38539.45%474.82%20.20%00.00%15716.09%976Siskiyou1,63042.78%1,91050.13%2516.59%190.50%00.00%-280-7.35%3,810Solano2,30139.13%2,91949.63%61110.39%500.85%00.00%-618-10.51%5,881Sonoma3,97643.66%4,17845.88%8769.62%760.83%00.00%-202-2.22%9,106Stanislaus1,99245.14%1,79840.74%3247.34%2976.73%20.05%1944.40%4,413Sutter84551.68%74645.63%321.96%120.73%00.00%996.06%1,635Tehama1,09443.48%1,18447.06%2118.39%271.07%00.00%-90-3.58%2,516Trinity48449.74%38839.88%10010.28%00.00%10.10%969.87%973Tulare3,11346.92%2,87743.36%5748.65%711.07%00.00%2363.56%6,635Tuolumne1,08044.72%1,17948.82%1365.63%200.83%00.00%-99-4.10%2,415Ventura1,69648.82%1,54544.47%1925.53%411.18%00.00%1514.35%3,474Yolo1,46641.40%1,80450.95%2336.58%381.07%00.00%-338-9.55%3,541Yuba94044.72%1,09051.86%633.00%80.38%10.05%-150-7.14%2,102Total177,19145.94%154,83540.14%47,81912.40%5,8071.51%610.02%22,3565.80%385,713 Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Butte Fresno Lassen Modoc Nevada Plumas San Benito San Joaquin Luis Obispo Santa Cruz Shasta Sierra Stanislaus Sutter Tulare Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic Calaveras Mendocino Counties that flipped from Independence to Democratic Inyo References Our Campaigns California 1910 Gubernatorial Category:November 1910 in the United States