As a state senator, he had helped pass or authored several bills regarding land use, support of public libraries, and financial controls.

[3] In a speech at the Fraternal Brotherhood Hall on Figueroa Street in Los Angeles, Benedict told a large audience of his platform, and was mentioned in a Los Angeles Herald news article that stated,He strongly favors the election of [Charles Evans] Hughes and [Charles W.] Fairbanks, a protective tariff, national woman's suffrage, a national child labor law and workmen's compensation act, adequate [World War I] preparedness and proper protection for the Pacific coast.

[5][6] The matter was referred to the California Supreme Court, which decided that Benedict could run in the November special election as a Progressive.

This decision by the Republican Party angered some voters; one, John C. Wray, decided to enter the race, writing in a news article that TO THE PUBLIC: October 23 I made public announcement of my intention to request my friends to write my name (John C. Wray) in on the vacant space on the official ballot which will be on November 7th for Member of Congress for the Unexpired Term, or Short Term of Congress in the 10th District, in which I have rented for 31 years.

I am acting as my own Manager, paying my own expenses, and only solicit the free and uncontrollable votes of the electors of the Tenth Congressional District, who like myself will refuse to be delivered like a band of sheep on November 7th.

[10]Just two days prior to the election, prominent Los Angeles businessman Joy Clark entered the race as a write-in candidate with many supporters flocking to his cause.