A Labor Veteran Bids for Governor
Former State Labor Commissioner William Blackman announces his candidacy for Governor, promising a return to 'John R. Rogers' style democracy.
William Blackman, former State Labor Commissioner, has issued a formal announcement of his candidacy for the democratic nomination for Governor of Washington. Having served the state for eight of his twenty-two years as a resident, Blackman asserts his familiarity with state needs. He pledges to be a 'governor' who guards the interests of citizens and stands on his record of service. He invokes the memory of the populist-era governor John R. Rogers as a model for his proposed administration.
“I feel that I know the state and its needs, and if elected, I will make it my business to be the governor and guard the interests of its citizens.”
William Blackman's entry into the gubernatorial race highlights the historical power of the labor vote in early 20th-century Washington politics. His invocation of John R. Rogers—the Populist governor—signals a desire for a return to state-funded, working-class-focused administration.
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