Gillett's nomination to top of the Republican ticket was controversial in 1906, and during the campaign he was consistently accused of being in the pocket of the Southern Pacific Railroad.

Despite this, he served a term as governor and accomplished several things, including being a leader in the creation of the state's highway system, and developing parole guidelines for prisoners.

In the interview he blamed the Independence Party and William Langdon for splitting the Democratic vote in his loss of the 1906 California gubernatorial election.

[7] For the entire month of January, it was not clear that Governor James Gillett would seek renomination, but his intentions were made clear on January 30, when he announced through a published letter to the California Republican Party, that he would not seek the nomination because, "It is for the best interest of myself and family that I should again resume the practice of my profession, and I can not well afford to continue in the office of governor for another, period of four years.

[9] In addition to Curry, Frank K. Mott, the mayor of Oakland, and Francis J. Heney a prosecutor and former attorney general in Arizona were all considering runs.

I am going to make this fight an endeavor to return the government of California, to the people and take it away from the political bureau of the Southern Pacific railway company.

Charles Curry, Alden Anderson, and Phillip A. Stanton, the three leading non-reformist candidates struggled to gain momentum against Hiram Johnson, who was becoming popular across the state.

[19] Johnson even received support from Hispanic Americans, as evidence by the endorsement of Alfonso E. Garcia, president of the Hispano-American Republican league.

Johnson in particular traveled up and down California, gathering huge crowds in cities throughout the state, while non reformist Republicans also fought for support and attention.

[25] In addition to the prohibition of alcohol, the party also supported the public ownership of utilities, women's suffrage, and the implementation of referendum, reform, and recall ballot measures.

[27] The name of Wilson's automobile was a direct reference to Eugene Debs' train that he traveled on during the 1908 Presidential Election, also known as the "Red Special".

[29] After both the Democratic and Republican parties held their primaries on August 16, Theodore Bell and Hiram Johnson would be the top two choices for the governorship.

[31] Theodore Bell had originally run in 1906 as an anti Southern Pacific politician, who wanted to wipe corporate influence out of politics in California.

[32] However, with the nomination of Hiram Johnson, he struggled to gain votes and distinguish himself from the increasingly popular candidate, who was also against corporate influence and the control of the Southern Pacific Railroad.

[34] Bell would later make his position clear on the topic, when he made a speech in Watsonville, stating that he wanted to "prevent the invasion of the- yellow, brown and Hindu hordes."

Towards the end of the campaign, Bell and Johnson began attacking each other for each of their prior relationships with the Southern Pacific Railroad and other corporate entities.