Clarence D. Martin - Governorship, 1933-1941

Governorship, 1933-1941

Martin was elected Governor of the State of Washington in November, 1932, in the Democratic landslide which virtually removed Republicans from state political offices. He was the first native son to be elected to the state’s highest office, an honor of which he was extremely proud. Given the dire economic circumstances and the crisis atmosphere of the early 1930s, Martin’s first gubernatorial campaign was remarkable in its moderation. There was no demagoguery, no personalities, no threats, no condemnations and no bitter attacks. His platform was based on unemployment relief and tax reform; he vowed "to return the state government to the service and benefit of the people." By the end of the campaign he had made 750 speeches and traveled 40,000 miles, but as he said, he "gave away no cigars, kissed no babies and promised no jobs." (Steward, Edgar I. Washington, Northwest Frontier, Vol. II, New York: Lewis Historical Publications, Co., 1957, pp. 296-97). Both in the primary and general elections Martin’s opponents charged him with trying to buy the gubernatorial office. Martin rebutted these accusations by pointing out that he was using his own money for the campaign and therefore would have obligations to no one. His electoral majority, which was larger that Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Washington vote, insured that he would not be accused of winning the office on the presidential coattails.