1914 California gubernatorial election

none January 2025 September 2023 1914 California gubernatorial election California presidential no Flag of California (1911–1924).pngborder 1910 California gubernatorial election 1910 1918 California gubernatorial election 1918 November 3, 1914 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 Progressive 460,495 49.69% John Donnan Fredericks.png John D. Fredericks Republican Party (United States) 271,990 29.35% John B. Curtin 1914 Edit.jpg John B. Curtin Democratic Party (United States) 116,121 12.53% N. A. Richardson 1913.jpg Noble A. Richardson Socialist Party of America 50,716 5.47% 1914 California gubernatorial election results map by county.svg x250px County resultsJohnson: #C7FFAF 30–40% #C6E9AF 40–50% #AADE87 50–60%Fredericks: #ffc8cd 30–40% #ffb2b2 40–50% Governor Hiram Johnson Progressive Party (United States, 1912) Hiram Johnson Progressive Party (United States, 1912) a2ed70 The 1914 California gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1914. Incumbent governor Hiram Johnson was easily re-elected on the Progressive Party ticket over Republican prosecutor John D. Fredericks, Democratic state senator John Curtin, and Socialist author Noble Richardson. Johnson became the first governor of California to win re-election since John Bigler in 1853. This was the first gubernatorial election in which each of Kern, Glenn, Lake,Lake County was carried by the Southern Democratic candidate in 1861 and Madera counties did not back the Democratic Party candidate and the first since 1855 in which each of Colusa, Mariposa, and Merced counties were not carried by a Democrat. Johnson would not serve out his second term, resigning after his successful campaign for United States Senate in 1916. This election ushered in a four decade period of Republican dominance in the state's gubernatorial races that was only interrupted once in 1938. Background Hiram Johnson was first elected governor in 1910 as a member of the Republican Party. However, dissatisfaction with the William Howard Taft administration led many Republicans to support Theodore Roosevelt for the 1912 Republican nomination. Facing defeat at the 1912 Republican National Convention, Roosevelt defected to run under a new Bull Moose Party banner, selecting Johnson as his vice-presidential running mate. In California, Roosevelt and Johnson ran on the Republican ticket and carried the state by fewer than 200 votes. Johnson was supremely popular in California.July 2025 Early in 1914, it was not immediately clear if Johnson would run for reelection as governor, run for the United States Senate, or retire from public office.2 January 1914 AUGURY OF SUCCESS https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=NWJ19140102.2.96 15 October 2024 Napa Weekly Journal On January 6, 1914, Johnson announced that he would stand for re-election as governor under the banner of the Bull Moose Party.6 January 1914 Johnson Out for Re-election FIGURES SHOW S.F. GAIN https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SFC19140106.2.2 San Francisco Call Following this announcement, Hiram Johnson and other members of the party began a massive voter registration campaign, to get potential voters to register as Progressives.3 January 1914 Governor Johnson is going after the voters https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SIJ19140103.1.3 19 October 2024 Salinas Index Journal Republican primary Candidates John D. Fredericks, Los Angeles County District Attorney since 1903 Arthur Hathaway Hewitt, former Speaker of the California State Assembly (1911) and assemblyman from Yuba City (190811) Declined Henry T. Gage, former governor (18991903) and U.S. minister to Portugal (1910) James C. Needham, former U.S. representative from Modesto (18991913) Campaign Early in the year, Los Angeles district attorney John D. Fredericks announced that he was willing to run for governor but qualified the statement by stating that he was willing to stand aside for another qualified candidate.FREDERICKS IS WILLING Los Angeles Attorney Says He Is Ready to Make Republican Race for Governor https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=RDP19140108.2.6 24 October 2024 Riverside Daily Press 8 January 1914 The party faced an uphill battle following Johnson's defection to the Progressive Party. In February, Republican stalwarts met at Santa Barbara to discuss their strategy for the upcoming elections. Phillip A. Stanton and Leroy Wright lead the meeting, which was sponsored by Rudolph Spreckels.OLD GUARD CONTROLS AT SANTA BARBARA Leroy Wright and Phil Stanton Are Managing Republican Conference. Program Will Evidently Suit General Otis of Times Fine https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=RDP19140207.2.7 27 October 2024 Riverside Daily Press 7 February 1914 At the meeting, Republican leadership resolved to "reconstruct" the party after its 1912 split.REPUBLICANS RECONSTRUCT, PROGRESS Two Party Conventions and Gubernatorial Candidate Roast Extravagance of Moose https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=CR19140208.2.13 18 May 2025 33 Chico Record 8 February 1914 Republicans also showed hostility towards California's direct primary law at the meeting and discussed possible candidates for governor including Fredericks, James C. Needham, and Henry Gage.OTIS PROGRAM CARRIED THROUGH - REPUBLICAN CONVENTION AT SANTA BARBARA STEERED ON LINES PLANNED BY TIMES Senator Leroy A. Wright and Phil A. Stanton Were Among the Chief Steerers Only Eight Women Present —Fresno Delegation Endorsed Needham for Governor https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=RDP19140209.2.26 18 May 2025 XXIX 34 Riverside Daily Press 9 February 1914 On February 26, Arthur Hewitt declared his candidacy for the Republican nomination.SPEAKER HEWITT CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR Sutter County Statesman Has Decided to Make Race as a Republican. STANDS ON HIS RECORD Points to Progressive Acts of Past Four Years as His Party Achievements. https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SDU19140226.2.2 5 July 2025 174 57 Sacramento Daily Union 26 February 1914 Fredericks spent over $14,000 on his primary campaign, a considerable amount compared to his primary opponents. Sources outside of California contributed $12,000.FREDERICKS SPENT $14,896 TO GET G. O. P. NOMINATION Los Angeles Candidate Files Expense Account That Heads the Idst https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=DNL19140917.2.15 27 October 2024 San Mateo Leader 17 September 1914 Democratic primary Candidates John Curtin, state senator from Tuolumne County since 1899 Fred H. Hall, former assemblyman from Bakersfield (191113) Declined John B. Sanford, state senator from Ukiah Campaign In early 1914, the two candidates who were rumored to be aiming for the democratic nomination were John B. Curtin, a state senator from Sonora, and State Senator John B. Sanford of Ukiah.PROGRESSIVE TICKET FOR CAMPAIGN READY Johnson Will Lead, But Fight for Lieutenant Governorship Is Still Open; Webb to Run Again for Office of Attorney General. HENEY AND ROWELL STILL NECK-AND-NECK FOR SENATE Wallace Announces That He Will Not Be a Candidate for Any Office; Chambers in Race for Office He Now Holds; Hyatt Also Enters. By Associated Press https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=HJD19140107.2.2 16 May 2025 Hanford Journal (Daily) 7 January 1914 On February 7, 1914, Curtin made his intentions clear when he announced he was seeking the governorship.Curtin Seeks Governorship https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=NWJ19140213.2.37 16 May 2025 30 46 Napa Weekly Journal 13 February 1914 Later that month, Fred H. Hall of Bakersfield also entered the race, announcing his candidacy on February 28.CUT FOR GOVERNOR Fred H. Hall of Bakersfield Formally Announces His Candidacy for the Democratic Nomination https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=NWJ19140306.2.106 16 May 2025 30 49 Napa Weekly Journal 6 March 1914 Curtin began his primary campaign in the city of Stockton on May 22, 1914.SENATOR CURTIN WILL OPEN IN STOCKTON Democratic Candidate for Governor Will Start His Primary Campaign Next Week https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SDI19140515.2.41 12 June 2025 106 104 Stockton Independent 15 May 1914 He would later announce his personal platform and political beliefs that he campaigned under. He advocated for the direct election of appointed state positions, such as Directors and Commissioners of state government offices. Additionally, Curtin advocated for state funding of elementary schooling as opposed to county funding, water conservation for farm irrigation purposes, the abolishment of "useless" government positions, and "an economical administration of the affairs of the state".Platform of J. B. Curtin https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=UDS19140613.2.23 12 June 2025 LX 50 The Union Democrat 13 June 1914 General election Candidates John Curtin, state senator from Tuolumne County since 1899 (Democratic) John D. Fredericks, Los Angeles County District Attorney since 1903 (Republican) Hiram Johnson, incumbent governor since 1911 (Bull Moose) Clinton P. Moore (Prohibition) Noble A. Richardson, writer (Socialist) Noble A. Richardson, a writer,25 July 1914 SOCIALIST PICNIC SUNDAY AT GRACE BROS.' PARK https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SRPD19140725.2.70 25 June 2025 The Press Democrat won the Socialist primary unopposed.25 August 1914 800 IN RACE AT PRIMARY ELECTION TODAY Californians Are Stamping Ballots to Nominate Many Candidates BIG REGISTRATION ONE OF FEATURES Republicans and Democrats Weeding Out Aspirants at the Polls https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=FHD19140825.2.48 25 June 2025 Fresno Bee LI 48 Throughout the primary and general election campaign periods, he toured the state and gave speeches to several socialist gatherings which called attention to his campaign.18 September 1914 Will Speak Here https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=II19140918.2.12 25 June 2025 Inyo Independent XLV 1831 October 1914 RICHARDSON, SOCIALIST FOR GOVERNOR, IS HERE https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=LAH19141031.2.444 25 June 2025 Los Angeles Herald XL 312 Campaign Johnson officially kicked off his campaign in Los Angeles, where he gave a speech to a large crowd at the Simpson Auditorium.19 February 1914 JOHNSON FIRES THE FIRST GUN https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=HTES19140219.2.73 24 October 2024 Healdsburg Tribune He had no party opposition and secured his nomination on August 26, 1914,29 August 1914 CURTIN, JOHNSON, FREDERICKS WILL HEAD LEADING TICKETS Race is Close Between Conley and Angellotti.— Phelan, Heney and Knowland for United States Senate.— Maddux and Ferguson for State Senate.— Ellis Wins Nomination for Member of Assembly. https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=LVCH19140829.2.2 27 October 2024 Livingston Chronicle allowing him to focus on the general election. On September 15, the Progressive Party held their convention in Sacramento, where they adopted a platform supporting a protective tariff, non-partisan elections, and the continuation of the work done by Johnson in his previous term.1914-10-24 THE PLATFORM OF THE CALIFORNIA PROGRESSIVES https://californiarevealed.org/do/07b0679b-a44f-4060-9339-03dc1d23b4cb 7 March 2025 The Washington Press While the campaigns were traveling across the state to appeal to the voters, there were efforts behind the scenes to remove several Progressive candidates from appearing on the general election ballots. Secretary of State Frank C. Jordan asked California Attorney General Ulysses S. Webb to clarify whether candidates can be on the November ballot if they had lost a primary election. Webb responded: "If a registered Progressive, seeking Republican and Democratic nominations, obtains the Progressive nomination, his name will go on the ballot, according to Webb's ruling, even though be loses the Republican and Democratic nominations. On the other hand, if he should lose the Progressive and gain both of the other nominations, he is out of the running and cannot even be an independent candidate.A MUDDLE OF THE PRIMARY LAW https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=CR19140820.2.15 27 October 2024 Chico Record 20 August 1914" As a result, members of the Republican Party threatened to file suit against the state if any progressive were allowed to run in the general election after losing another party's primary, as the law indicated, "a candidate losing any party nomination shall not get on the November ballot." This greatly concerned members of the Progressive Party, many of whom had cross-filed as Republicans, such as John Eshleman and Friend W. Richardson.BULL MOOSE MAY LOSE CANDIDATES Primary Law May Bar From November Election Those Defeated in Any Party Fight. REPUBLICANS TO TEST LAW Courts Will Be Asked for Mandamus Writs to Keep Names Off Final Ballot. https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SDU19140815.2.78 27 October 2024 Sacramento Daily Union 15 August 1914 Results 1914 California gubernatorial electionStatement of Vote at the General Election held November 3, 1914 in the State of California California Secretary of State State Printing Office Sacramento, California 8 https://archive.org/details/statementofvo19081922cali/page/n71/mode/2up?view=theater 18 July 2024 Bull Moose Party Progressive Hiram W. Johnson (incumbent) 460,495 49.69% +3.75% Republican Party (United States) John D. Fredericks 271,990 29.35% -16.59% Democratic Party (United States) John B. Curtin 116,121 12.53% -27.61% Socialist Party of America Noble A. Richardson 50,716 5.47% -6.92% Prohibition Party Clinton P. Moore 27,345 2.95% +1.45% Scattering 22 0.00% 188,505 20.34% 926,689 100.00% Bull Moose Party Progressive Republican Party (United States) +14.55% Results by county County Hiram W. JohnsonProgressive John D. FredericksRepublican John B. CurtinDemocratic Noble A. RichardsonSocialist Clinton P. MooreProhibition ScatteringWrite-in Margin Total votes cast # % # % # % # % # % # % # %Alameda47,32053.73%25,61229.08%7,9689.05%5,8006.59%1,3781.56%00.00%21,70824.65%88,078Alpine3132.63%4244.21%1717.89%44.21%11.05%00.00%-11-11.58%95Amador1,31137.88%1,04130.08%92926.84%1053.03%752.17%00.00%2707.80%3,461Butte6,20948.82%3,35726.39%1,89814.92%7295.73%5254.13%10.01%2,85222.42%12,719Calaveras1,29136.85%99028.26%93526.69%2085.94%792.26%00.00%3018.59%3,503Colusa1,22934.34%86624.20%1,20833.75%1403.91%1363.80%00.00%21"Curtain" Margin over Curtain0.59%3,579Contra Costa6,96654.86%3,05024.02%1,65713.05%8656.81%1601.26%00.00%3,91630.84%12,698Del Norte49343.44%35531.28%16814.80%817.14%383.35%00.00%13812.16%1,135El Dorado1.15536.74%99231.55%74323.63%1875.95%662.10%10.03%1635.18%3,144Fresno14,09550.81%4,96417.90%5,56620.07%2,0857.52%1,0293.71%00.00%8,529"Curtain" Margin over Curtain30.75%27,739Glenn1,52943.31%1,08030.59%63317.93%1373.88%1474.16%40.11%44912.72%3,530Humboldt6,20252.87%3,69631.51%8307.08%8697.41%1331.13%00.00%2,50621.36%11,730Imperial3,46155.13%1,25519.99%87313.91%4376.96%2524.01%00.00%2,20635.14%6,278Inyo87640.07%60127.49%25811.80%37817.29%733.34%00.00%27512.58%2,186Kern7,59048.84%3,80724.49%3,17820.45%7714.96%1961.26%00.00%3,78324.34%15,542Kings1,86232.38%2,09236.38%1,13319.70%3536.14%3115.41%00.00%-230-4.00%5,751Lake61224.33%90035.79%58723.34%28311.25%1335.29%00.00%-288-11.45%2,515Lassen1,13345.93%60224.40%40016.21%2178.80%1154.66%00.00%53121.52%2,467Los Angeles119,82453.58%65,48429.28%18,3318.20%11,1294.98%8,8793.97%50.00%54,34024.30%223,652Madera1,35838.83%71220.36%1,09331.26%2035.80%1313.75%00.00%265"Curtain" Margin over Curtain7.58%3,497Marin4,06548.04%3,07136.29%87110.29%4124.87%430.51%00.00%99411.75%8,462Mariposa63841.70%22914.97%55736.41%593.86%473.07%00.00%81"Curtain" Margin over Curtain5.29%1,530Mendocino3,08738.45%2,68133.39%1,58519.74%5046.28%1722.14%00.00%4065.06%8,029Merced2,29739.45%1,40224.08%1,47025.25%4066.97%2474.24%00.00%827"Curtain" Margin over Curtain14.20%5,822Modoc93040.75%53223.31%60926.69%1376.00%743.24%00.00%32114.07%2,282Mono18741.74%12327.46%7115.85%5412.05%132.90%00.00%6414.29%448Monterey3,53143.67%2,69733.36%1,31316.24%2733.38%2713.35%00.00%83410.32%8,085Napa3,23441.13%3,07739.13%1,09813.96%3164.02%1381.76%00.00%1572.00%7,863Nevada2,83053.70%94918.01%1,10120.89%2955.60%951.80%00.00%1,729"Curtain" Margin over Curtain32.81%5,270Orange7,30441.72%6,09634.82%2.18412.47%8154.66%1,1096.33%00.00%1,2086.90%17,508Placer3,84659.03%1,41621.73%70510.82%3755.76%1732.66%00.00%2,43037.30%6,515Plumas1,04252.36%52726.48%23211.66%1567.84%331.66%00.00%51525.88%1,990Riverside6,33748.87%4,02631.05%1,1468.84%7545.81%7055.44%00.00%2,31117.82%12,968Sacramento16,95458.00%8,66129.63%2,2847.81%9653.30%3671.26%00.00%8,29328.37%29,231San Benito1,23440.77%1,18439.11%45415.00%1013.34%541.78%00.00%501.65%3,027San Bernardino8,78741.07%7,63435.68%2,0969.80%1,3676.39%1,5107.06%00.00%1,1535.39%21,394San Diego14,15240.49%14,36541.10%2,8648.19%1,8795.38%1,6944.85%10.00%-213-0.61%34,955San Francisco72,25754.70%36,60627.71%16,16712.24%6,3464.80%7230.55%40.00%35,65126.99%132,103San Joaquin8,89844.48%5,75928.79%3,84819.24%8054.02%6943.47%00.00%3,13915.69%20,004San Luis Obispo3,30348.48%1,89027.74%98214.41%4576.71%1812.66%00.00%1,41320.74%6,813San Mateo5,20854.76%2,83929.85%1,00210.54%3924.12%690.73%00.00%2,36924.91%9,510Santa Barbara3,95242.42%2,76029.63%1,67517.98%5475.87%3824.10%00.00%1,19212.80%9,316Santa Clara14,26747.05%10,79235.59%3,33711.01%1,1083.65%8132.68%40.01%3,47511.46%30,321Santa Cruz4,23245.23%2,81430.07%1,41715.14%5405.77%3543.78%00.00%1,41815.15%9,357Shasta2,71145.68%1,56726.40%81113.66%64010.78%2063.47%00.00%1,14419.28%5,935Sierra56846.33%41033.44%14912.15%725.87%272.20%00.00%15812.89%1,226Siskiyou2,66341.66%1,74727.33%1,34220.99%4837.56%1572.46%00.00%91614.33%6,392Solano5,46751.05%2,83726.49%1,67915.68%5445.08%1831.71%00.00%2,63024.56%10,710Sonoma7,69340.36%6,94536.44%2,96715.57%1,0305.40%4262.23%00.00%7483.92%19,061Stanislaus5,24543.74%2,20118.36%2,53021.10%8767.31%1,1389.49%00.00%2,715"Curtain" Margin over Curtain22.64%11,990Sutter1,08334.33%1,46346.37%39712.58%973.07%1143.61%10.03%-380-12.04%3,155Tehama2,10841.29%1,22924.07%1,08421.23%3947.72%2905.68%00.00%87917.22%5,105Trinity65041.94%39925.74%26717.23%21113.61%231.48%00.00%25116.19%1,550Tulare6,48042.56%3,47922.85%3,34922.00%1,3698.99%5473.59%00.00%3,00119.71%15,224Tuolumne1,38539.25%49013.88%1,30937.09%3018.53%441.25%00.00%76"Curtain" Margin over Curtain2.15%3,529Ventura2,78741.58%2,64939.53%82412.29%2954.40%1462.18%10.01%1382.06%6,702Yolo2,38339.51%1,91331.71%1,35322.43%2313.83%1522.52%00.00%4707.79%6,032Yuba2,15354.15%1,03325.98%58714.76%1293.24%741.86%00.00%1,12028.17%3,976Total460,49549.69%271,99029.35%116,12112.53%50,7165.47%27,3452.95%220.00%188,50520.34%926,689 Counties that flipped from Democratic to Progressive Amador Calaveras Colusa El Dorado Glenn Inyo Kern Madera Mariposa Mendocino Merced Napa Placer Sacramento Siskiyou Solano Sonoma Tehama Tuolumne Yolo Yuba Counties that flipped from Progressive to Republican Alpine Kings San Diego Sutter Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Lake Notes References California Politics Gubernatorial 1914 California Category:November 1914 in the United States