An American Original

The Progressive Party was formed in 1912 when Theodore Roosevelt ran against William Howard Taft for president of the United States. Taft represented machine politics and had a decided conservative world-view. The Progressives were activists already working for women’s suffrage, labor rights, a living wage, conservation of our natural resources, election reforms, safe working conditions, tax reform, an end to child labor and a start to Native American citizenship. This is the 1912 party platform

Although there was a national election, in which Roosevelt placed second, defeating Taft, but not Wilson…We had a very strong state party. Washington voter elected 50 total Progressives to the Washington State Legislature: (1913 to 1927) and

Three Progressive to Congress.

  • James W. Bryan United States Congressman Washington 1913-15
  • Jacob Falconer United States Congressman Washington 1913-15
  • Miles Poindexter United States Senator Washington 1913-15

    Fun Fact!

    Because the Progressive Party of Washington had a female elector, Helen Scott, she became the first woman to legally vote for president of the United States when Roosevelt carried Washington.Robert La Follette was a great pioneer of election reform, and was responsible for: Direct Presidential primaries, Initiatives, Referendums and Recall petitions, policing Lobbyist’s activites, as well as a suggestion to add a second, or even third choice for voters in a primary vote. He did not get along with Roosevelt, so he waited until 1924 to run for president on the Progressive ticket. This is the 1924 party platform After his campaign failed, many party members were tempted into the Democratic party with promises of passing the reforms the party had held dear since the beginning. Others held fast, particuraly in Wisconsin, where the La Follette sons, Robert Jr. and Phillip founded a state party, and attempted to revive the national party.

    Disgusted with the failure of the Democrats to do as they promised, Progressives were willing to form the party again. Many original members had lost heart, and did not support the latest incarntion of the party. Henry Wallace and Glen Taylor became the party’s Presidential and Vice-presidential candidates. They built a coaltition which included labor unions, pro-integration southerners, and a few members of the Communist Party willing to buck their own party’s unwillingness to support candidates from any other party. This is the 1948 party platform

    Lyle Mercer was there for the 1948 Progressive Party campaign. Here is an interview with him. Eyewitness

    Because the Progressive Party supported integration, but not the Cold War or the House UnAmerican Activities Committee, members were hounded, being fired from job after job during the McCarthy era. The sad part is the McCarthy defeated Robert La Follette jr. for congress. Athough the party disappeared for a number of years, it has resurfaced again in 2003. This is the current incarnation.

    We asked The Progressive Party of Vermont to give us permission to start up in Washington.

    Christal Wood was our first candidate, for Seattle mayor in 2003. Linde Knighton ran as a Progressive for state representative in 2004.

    The search is on. Were you a Progressive Party member or did you vote Progressive before 1960? We want to talk to you to fill in the blanks in our history. And we love to talk to our party elders. Please contact us Linde Knighton

    1919 Seattle General Strike

    Cannery Workers in Labor Day Parade 1940

    Seattle School Boycott

    Farmerworkers Protest

    Billy Frank Jr. in Fishing Protest at Lyle Point

    		•