John Lewis Bates (September 18, 1859 – June 8, 1946) was an American lawyer and Republican politician from Massachusetts.

From 1903 to 1905, he served as the 41st governor of Massachusetts, upsetting the Republican establishment with his organizing tactics and alienating his own supporters with some of his conservative executive actions and proposals.

During this period, Bates built a ward-based political machine largely independent of the existing party infrastructure.

Bates convinced Mayor Josiah Quincy to accept a toll of one cent per rider, securing agreement for its construction.

He also generated controversy by disregarding supporters' requests and catering to the more exclusive elements of the party establishment.

He vetoed a Republican bill limiting the working hours of women and children, earning him the opposition of labor interests.

In the 1904 election, Democrats nominated Brockton businessman William L. Douglas, who had nationwide name and facial recognition because his image was stamped on the shoes he sold.

Douglas, who was on good terms with labor interests, financed the Democratic campaign and won a landslide victory over Bates.

[5] Bates then retired to his private law practice in Boston, largely withdrawing from political life.