Witten William Harris
American politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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] Harris also served as a vice president of the California Labor Federation.[4]
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. |
| 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,[5] upon being sworn in Harris immediately joined the Non-Partisan caucus. He was expelled from the party as a result.[6] Two years later, he ran for re-election and won as a Democrat.[7] In 1918, he chose to run for Congress in the 7th district, again as a Democrat, but lost the primary.[8]
