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Ray L. Riley

Republican

Picture of Ray L. Riley
Date Party Office Votes Result
07-21-1921 Republican Controller 0 Win
11-07-1922 Republican Controller 564434 Win
11-02-1926 Republican Controller 746956 Win
11-04-1930 Republican Controller 937492 Win
11-06-1934 Republican Controller 1928035 Win
 

Candidate Biography:

Ray LeGrande Riley
Born: July 20, 1874 in Vicksburg, Michigan
Married: Winifred M. Jebb (m. 1894)
Child: Thelma M. McKim
Died: May 19, 1953 in Manhattan, New York

Previous: Member, Colton City Board of Trustees
1918-1919: California State Water Commissioner
1919-1921: State Real Estate Commisioner
1937: Resigned as Controller on July 15.
1937-1943: Member, California Public Utilities Commission
1938: Primary Candidate for U.S. Senate (Lost)

  • Legislation: "Co-author of the California retail sales tax" in 1933
  • NOT RUNNING: In 1933, as rumors began circulating that Riley might run for Governor the following year, Riley offered what was (and likely remains) the strongest denial of a candidacy in state history. He "offered to put up a bond of any amount - providing somebody else would pay the premium - guaranteeing he would not be a gubernatorial candidate. [Petaluma Argus Courier]

Source: California Blue Book (1924)
Source: "Riley Denies Candidacy" Petaluma Argus Courier, Volume 5, Number 280, 16 June 1933