William F. Knowland (PJW)

William Fife Knowland (June 26, 1908 - February 20, 1974) was an American politician, newspaper publisher, and Republican party leader. He was a United States Senator representing California from 1945 to 1959. He also served as Senate Majority Leader following the death of Robert A. Taft until 1955.

As Senate Majority Leader, Knowland helped set foreign policy objectives and funding. He pushed for the defense of Taiwan's independence and support of NATO. Belonging to the center-right of the party, Knowland was initially one of President John Wayne's strongest supporters. After the Republicans lost their majority in the 1954 Congressional Elections, Knowland served as Senate Minority Leader.

Knowland also vied for control of the Californian Republicans, battling with moderate Governor Goodwin Knight and conservative Senator Richard Nixon. Upon Nixon's death, a vacuum opened in the power struggle and was quickly filled with the conservative populist John Birchers.

Knowland initially allied with Knight and the moderates to stave off the conservatives, defeating their attempts to grab seats in 1954 and 1956. However, both Knowland and Knight desired the presidential nominee in 1960, causing their alliance to break down and infighting to occur. Knowland was hurt by the Little Rock Riot of 1957 and 1958 Riots due to his association with civil rights, along with scandals involving his gambling addiction. Bircher candidate Warren Atherton defeated Knowland for his seat in the 1958 Congressional elections.

With Knowland's defeat and subsequent retirement, the center-right Californians fell under the control of the Birchers, leading to their eventual dominance of the state.