After Establishing His House In Los Gatos, Sanborn felt compelled to run for State Senate
Sanborn ran a successful campaign as a Republican, but many things in his campaign were remarkable progressive for his age. Both he and his wife believed strongly in the mind set of independance from government, but considering his campaign was 100 years ago, we can see some attributes that influenced our California system today on both sides of the aisle.
Climate-adjacent water policy. He called water conservation “of the most vital importance,” demanding protection of watersheds and better irrigation infrastructure as “a paramount issue” requiring “prompt and vigorous action.” Drought-conscious before drought was a hashtag.
Gender equality in government. Just four years after the 19th Amendment, he declared women “as capable and competent as men to serve in official capacities, in law making bodies, on juries” and said the deciding factor in elections “should not be the question of sex, but of fitness, qualification and availability.” Considering the role of his wife as driving this message forward with every novel she wrote, there is no doubt that this couple saw the world in the same way.
Children’s rights. Every child “entitled to a normal childhood,” with explicit “protection from exploitation in industry” an anti–child labor stance when that fight was live.
Public education investment. He stood “squarely behind our schools” and teachers, wanted education kept out of politics, and pushed for facilities to “keep pace with the growth of our state.”
Rehabilitation over punishment. Inmates and wards of state institutions deserve “the most advanced and scientific methods of treatment” so they can become “self supporting and desirable citizens.” Rehabilitative justice, 1924 edition.
Compassionate drug policy (sort of). From his Grand Jury work he wanted “protection of the unfortunate drug addict,” treating users as victims, while reserving punishment for the “dope peddler and dealer.” Recognizably the users-need-help, dealers-need-prosecution framework.
Consumer protection. “Relentless warfare” against “get-rich-quick” schemes preying on inexperienced investors. He’d have had opinions about crypto.
No special interests. He refused to “stultify myself by pledges to any organization, class, or bloc,” promising to represent everyone “without regard for class, group, religion, or any other affiliation.”
He won, Young served in the State Senate into the 1930s and became known for anti-narcotics work.