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Arthur H. Breed Sr.

Republican

Picture of Arthur H. Breed Sr.
CA Blue Book
Date Party Office Votes Result
11-05-1912 Republican SD-15 14309 Win
11-07-1916 Republican SD-15 28405 Win
03-15-1917 Republican Lieutenant Governor 0 Win
11-02-1920 Republican SD-15 31483 Win
11-04-1924 Republican SD-15 31447 Win
11-06-1928 Republican SD-15 42599 Win
11-04-1930 Republican SD-16 94818 Win
 

Candidate Biography:

Arthur Hastings Breed, Sr.
Born: November 27, 1865 in San Francisco, CA
Married: Carolen Hall Breed
Children: Florence Robinson, Arthur H., Jr., Donald A., and Horace H.
Died: April 28, 1953 in Piedmont, CA

Previous: Auditor and Assessor, City of Oakland (8 years)
1917-1934: President pro Tempore, California State Senate*
1917-1919: Acting Lieutenant Governor (following succession of William D. Stephens to Governor)
1931: Resigned from the State Senate on or before January 5.*
1934: Acting Lieutenant Governor (following succession of Frank F. Merriam to Governor)

  • Breed was the longest serving President pro Tem of the Senate, serving 16 years.
  • Resignation: In 1931, while serving as President pro Tem, Breed resigned his Senate seat (SD-15) to assume another seat (SD-16) due to redistricting. The SD-15 seat remained vacant for the remainder of the unexpired term.
  • CURRENT RESEARCH: There were three points during his term as Senate President pro Tem that the office of Lieutenant Governor was vacant. During this time (44 days in 1917, 1 day in 1919, and 4 days in 1934), Breed was the acting Lieutenant Governor, although his name has never appeared on a list of people who have held that office. 
  • LEGISLATION: Breed was the author the "California Vehicle Act" and the "Gas Tax Act". The California Vehicle Act (Ch. 326; 1913) which established the "operator's license" to operate a motor vehicle and  mandated that "after December 31, 1913, no one may operate or drive a motor vehicle without a license." 
  • The Mayo/Breed line was used as the official division between nothern and southern California from the 1930s-1960s[?]. The line was used in a formula to allocate the proceeds of state gasoline taxes and to preserve the balance of legislative representation during redistrictings.

Source: California Blue Book (1911), (1928), (1932)
Source: "Arthur Breed, former State Senator, Dies", Los Angeles Times (4/29/1943), p. 13