Summary
Harold Jay "Butch" Powers (October 8, 1900 – October 16, 1996) was the 36th Lieutenant Governor of California, having served from 1953–1959 under fellow liberal Republican Governor Goodwin Knight.[1]
Harold J. Powers | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 36th Lieutenant Governor of California | |
| In office October 5, 1953 – January 5, 1959 | |
| Governor | Goodwin Knight |
| Preceded by | Goodwin Knight |
| Succeeded by | Glenn M. Anderson |
| 38th President pro tempore of the California State Senate | |
| In office 1947–1953 | |
| Preceded by | Jerrold L. Seawell |
| Succeeded by | Clarence C. Ward |
| Member of the California State Senate | |
| In office 1933–1953 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 9, 1900 Eagleville, Modoc County, California, U.S. |
| Died | October 16, 1996 (aged 96) Modoc County, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Alma mater | UC Davis |
He died at the age of 96 in Modoc County, California in 1996.
Career edit
Powers was born in Eagleville, California. He was a rancher in Modoc County who owned many ranches in California, Nevada, and Idaho. First elected to the California State Senate in 1932, Powers represented Lassen, Modoc and Plumas counties. Powers served as President pro tempore of the Senate beginning in 1947.[2]
In 1953, Powers became Lieutenant Governor of California, was elected to a full term in 1954, and served until 1959. In 1962, he ran for governor but withdrew due to the urging Republican leaders who supported Nixon. After he decided to quit campaigning for governor, Powers focused on rallying opposition to Nixon and to gain support for Democrat Edmund G. Brown.[3]