JESSE UNRUH

Jesse Unruh –a Democratic politician known as “Big Daddy” – was a transformative figure in California politics. 

Raised dirt poor in Kansas, Unruh moved to California to go to college and was elected to the State Assembly in 1954, sponsoring landmark anti-discrimination legislation that targeted California businesses. 

He was elected Speaker in 1961 and transformed the office. He concentrated all political power – and finances – in the speaker. Instead of having lobbyists and special interests donate to individual candidates, Unruh had them give him their money so he could dole it out to his favored candidates. This engendered continued personal and political support from his members, and it produced his famous saying: “Money is the mother’s milk of politics.”

Unruh’s signature achievement as Speaker was the passage of Proposition 1A in 1966, which created a full-time, professional legislature, putting the body on a more equal footing with the Governor. 

Staffed by newly hired professionals with expertise in public policy areas, the California Legislature became the highest-ranked legislative body in the U.S. 

Unruh unsuccessfully challenged Governor Ronald Reagan in 1970 and lost a bid for Los Angeles Mayor before winning election as State Treasurer in 1974. He was re-elected three times.