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 |
| 38thPresident pro tempore of the California State Senate | |
| In office 1947–1953 | |
| Preceded by | Jerrold L. Seawell |
| Succeeded by | Clarence C. Ward |
| Member of theCalifornia State Senate | |
| In office 1933–1953 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1900-10-09)October 9, 1900 Eagleville, Modoc County, California, U.S. |
| Died | October 16, 1996(1996-10-16) (aged 96) Cedarville, Modoc County, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Alma mater | UC Davis |
Harold Jay "Butch" Powers (October 8, 1900 – October 16, 1996) was the 36thlieutenant governor of California, serving from 1953 to 1959 under GovernorGoodwin Knight.[1]
Powers was born inEagleville, Modoc County, California, in 1900. He was a rancher primarily in Modoc County, but owned several ranches inCalifornia,Nevada, andIdaho. First elected to the California State Senate in 1932, Powers represented Lassen, Modoc and Plumas counties. He served asPresident pro tempore of the Senate beginning in 1947.[2]
In his capacity as Senate president pro tempore, Powers was to succeed the lieutenant governor in case of a vacancy in that office. This occurred in 1953, when GovernorEarl Warren resigned to becomechief justice of the United States and Lieutenant Governor Goodwin Knight succeeded to the governorship. Powers was elected to a full term in 1954, and sought re-election in 1958, but in theDemocratic landslide that year he lost toGlenn M. Anderson.
In 1962, Powers ran for governor but withdrew at the urging of Republican leaders who supported formerVice PresidentRichard M. Nixon. After giving up his campaign for governor, Powers focused on rallying opposition to Nixon and to gain support for Democratic incumbentEdmund G. Brown, who defeated Nixon in the general election.[3]
Powers obtained his degree from theUniversity of California, Davis.[3]
He died ofpneumonia in 1996 inCedarville, California, at the age of 96.[3]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Lieutenant Governor of California 1953—1959 | Succeeded by |
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