II.

Political Career

Warren, a liberal Republican, was elected attorney general of California in 1938. During his four years in office, he increased his reputation as a strong foe of racketeers. In 1942 he was elected governor of California. His progressive policies won him wide support in both the Republican and Democratic parties; in 1946, and again in 1950, he was reelected governor with bipartisan support. As governor, he reduced taxes while expanding state services. Warren lost an election only once, when in 1948 he was the Republican candidate for vice president in the unsuccessful presidential campaign of Thomas E. Dewey.