A Look Back at Local History
Did you know? Gubernatorial candidate Richard M. Nixon made a campaign stop in Walnut Creek back in 1962. It was a significant moment in the local political landscape, with Nixon’s visit marking his push for a comeback after a series of national setbacks.
Born in Yorba Linda, California, Richard Nixon’s early political career was marked by a relentless drive to root out communist influences in the U.S. government. He first served as a Congressman from 1947 to 1950, where he quickly gained a reputation for his staunch anti-communist stance during investigations into citizens. This fervor propelled him to the U.S. Senate in 1950, then onto the national stage as Vice President under Dwight D. Eisenhower from 1953 to 1961, during the era of "Modern Republicanism."
Nixon’s political journey was as tumultuous as it was ambitious. In 1960, he faced off against John F. Kennedy in a historic presidential race that many say was decided by television. Nixon's discomfort on camera contrasted sharply with Kennedy's polished, charismatic demeanor—giving rise to the belief that Kennedy’s telegenic presence was a decisive factor in his victory.
Undeterred by his narrow loss, Nixon pivoted to state politics, entering the 1962 California Governor’s race. But once again, he faced defeat—this time to incumbent Pat Brown. After this loss, he famously told the press, “You won’t have Nixon to kick around anymore.” Yet, true to his resilient nature, Nixon moved to New York and laid the groundwork for what would become one of the greatest political comebacks in U.S. history.
By 1968, Nixon had re-emerged onto the national stage, winning the presidency and beginning a complex, often controversial tenure in the White House. His time in office would be defined by landmark achievements in foreign policy and environmental legislation, overshadowed by the turmoil of the Watergate scandal that ultimately led to his resignation in 1974.
(Sources: Contra Costa County Historical Society; “150 Years in Pictures” Brad Rovanpera.)