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California Governors Trivia Quiz

The Gipper, Governor Moonbeam, the Terminator: No state outflanks California for interesting governors.

A multiple-choice quiz by sku. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
sku

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
154,908

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
928

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. First things first, who was the first governor of the state of California? Hint

Peter Burnett

Leland Stanford

John C. Fremont

George Hearst

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Question 2 of 10

2. This well known socialist was the 1934 Democratic nominee for Governor of California. Hint

Eugene Debs

Norman Thomas

Job Harriman

Upton Sinclair

3. As Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, Earl Warren issued the historic Brown v. Board of Education decision outlawing racial segregation in public schools. What action did he take as governor of California? Hint

Issued a proclamation desegregating the California National Guard

Outlawed racial segregation of California public school restrooms

Supported the detention of Japanese-Americans during World War II

Passed the first affirmative action law

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Question 4 of 10

4. As of the 2008 election, how many California Governors have appeared on a national ticket for president or vice-president? Hint

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Question 5 of 10

5. Of the 18 people who served as governor of California in the twentieth century, how many were Democrats? Hint

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Question 6 of 10

6. Who ran against two future presidents in elections for governor of California? Hint

Goodwin Knight

Jerry Brown

Pat Brown

Earl Warren

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Question 7 of 10

7. From 1958 to 2010 inclusive, in how many California gubernatorial elections was a member of the Brown family the Democratic nominee? Hint

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Question 8 of 10

8. Who was the first California Governor elected President?

Answer: ( Two words, or just surname )

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Question 9 of 10

9. Governor Moon Beam, Jerry Brown, was one of the many interesting inhabitants of the governorship. During his first term, he moved out of the Governor's mansion and into a modest apartment, commissioned an abstract expressionist to paint his official portrait and dated this celebrity. Hint

Debra Winger

Cybill Shepherd

Carly Simon

Linda Ronstadt

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Question 10 of 10

10. How many people appeared as candidates on the 2003 ballot for governor of California if Gray Davis was recalled? Hint

153

135

101

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. First things first, who was the first governor of the state of California?

Answer: Peter Burnett

Burnett, a Democrat, was the Governor of California territory at the time of statehood (1850); he stayed in office until 1851. Republican Leland Stanford served from 1862-63, while Hearst (father of journalist William Randolph) and Fremont were U.S. senators, not governors.

2. This well known socialist was the 1934 Democratic nominee for Governor of California.

Answer: Upton Sinclair

The author of the "The Jungle" and other popular novels, Sinclair ran on a campaign platform known as EPIC (End Poverty in California). He was defeated by Republican Frank Merriam. Job Harriman was a California Socialist who ran for vice-president in 1900 and came close to being elected mayor of Los Angeles in 1911.

Answer: Supported the detention of Japanese-Americans during World War II

As state attorney general and subsequently, as governor, Earl Warren supported and assisted in the relocation of innocent, Japanese-Americans to detention camps. Some consider the Brown decision to be Warren's apology for his actions during the War.

4. As of the 2008 election, how many California Governors have appeared on a national ticket for president or vice-president?

Answer: 3

Hiram Johnson was the vice-presidential candidate for Theodore Roosevelt's Progressive Party in 1912, Earl Warren was the Republican nominee for vice-president with Thomas Dewey in 1948 and, of course, Ronald Reagan was the Republican nominee for president in 1980 and 1984.

5. Of the 18 people who served as governor of California in the twentieth century, how many were Democrats?

Answer: 4

Culbert Olson (1939-43), Pat Brown (1959-67), Jerry Brown (1975-83), and Gray Davis (1999-2003).

6. Who ran against two future presidents in elections for governor of California?

Answer: Pat Brown

Governor Pat Brown defeated Richard Nixon in the 1962 Governor's race and was defeated by Ronald Reagan in the 1966 race.

7. From 1958 to 2010 inclusive, in how many California gubernatorial elections was a member of the Brown family the Democratic nominee?

Answer: 7

Pat Brown received the nomination in 1958, 1962 and 1966 (he lost the 1966 race). Pat's son Jerry Brown was the successful nominee in 1974, 1978 and 2010, and Pat's daughter (Jerry's sister) Kathleen was the unsuccessful nominee in 1994.

8. Who was the first California Governor elected President?

Answer: Ronald Reagan

While others (Hiram Johnson, Earl Warren, Jerry Brown) have had presidential aspirations, Reagan is the only one ever elected.

Answer: Linda Ronstadt

Debra Winger dated Nebraska Governor, and later U.S. Senator, Bob Kerrey. Cybill Shepherd has stated that as a teenager, she had a brief, beach-side make-out session with Gray Davis - she said he was a good kisser.

Brown later came back to win reelection again in 2010, 36 years after he was first elected governor, making him both the youngest and oldest governor in California history.

10. How many people appeared as candidates on the 2003 ballot for governor of California if Gray Davis was recalled?

Answer: 135

Of course, actor Arnold Schwartzenegger won the election, but a host of celebrities also ran, including comedian Gallagher, pornographer Larry Flynt and child star Gary Coleman. Last place went to filmmaker Todd Richard Lewis, known as the "Bum Hunter" for his films involving fights between homeless people.

Source: Author sku

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Jim_in_Oz before going online.
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