Political Career
While in California, Montgomery served the public in numerous capacities as an elected official. He was a Representative of the California State Legislature 15th District (12th session; 1860–1861) and served on the Judiciary and Indian Affairs Committees. Zachariah was a delegate to the State Democratic Convention (John C. Breckenridge Party on Democratic ticket; 1860) and was nominated for Speaker of the House (California State Assembly) but lost this election. Notably, Zach authored California State Assembly Bill AB 348, The Montgomery Bill – an education reform bill to amend the California School Law Act of May 3, 1855.
On February 11, 1861, Montgomery delivered the State of The State speech to the California State Assembly. Zachariah was petitioned by colleagues to become a United States Senator (1867) but declined due to political ideological differences with the Lincoln Administration.
In the summer of 1884 Zach mounted an unsuccessful bid for the office of District Attorney of San Diego County.
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