Witten William Harris (August 17, 1872 – January 28, 1958) was an American newspaper publisher and politician who served two terms in the California State Assembly for the 56th district from 1915 to 1919.[1][2] Harris was one of three Socialists elected to the California State Assembly in 1914, the other two being George W. Downing and Lewis A. Spengler.[3]
Witten William Harris | |
|---|---|
 Harris c. 1915 | |
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 56th district | |
| In office January 4, 1915 – January 6, 1919 | |
| Preceded by | William E. Simpson |
| Succeeded by | Grace S. Dorris |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 17, 1872 Gentry County, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | January 28, 1958 (aged 85) Alameda, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Socialist Democratic Republican Progressive |
| Spouse |
Louise Murphy (m. 1897) |
| Children |
|
| Education | Central Christian College (B.A.) |
| Occupation | Newspaper writer, editor |
While he was first elected as a Socialist, Harris also won the nominations of the Democratic, Republican, and Progressive parties, leaving him unopposed in the general election. Despite having been previously active in the Socialist Party of California,[4] upon being sworn in Harris immediately joined the Non-Partisan caucus. He was expelled from the party as a result.[5] Two years later, he ran for re-election and won as a Democrat.[6] In 1918, he chose to run for Congress, again as a Democrat, but lost the primary.[7]
References
edit- ^ "Witten W. Harris". JoinCalifornia. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
- ^ "California Blue Book, 1913–1915". California State Printing Office. p. 515. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
- ^ "Non-partisan bill likely to win out". San Francisco Chronicle. San Francisco. 20 March 1915. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
- ^ "Witten William Harris". Ancestry. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
- ^ "Man Without a Party Goes to Non-Partisans". The Sacramento Bee. Sacramento. 4 January 1915. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
- ^ "Many legislators are re-elected in California". San Francisco Examiner. San Francisco. 8 November 1916. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
- ^ "Incumbents in Congress in running". San Francisco Examiner. San Francisco. 29 August 1918. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
External links
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