The California Democratic Council (CDC), a federation of local volunteer clubs, was established in 1953. CDC endorsements and campaign support led to the first full statewide slate of Democrats in 40 years (1954) and also figured prominently in the election of Edmund G. “Pat” Brown as California governor in 1958. Joseph Lucian Wyatt, Jr. (b.1924) was the secretary of the California Democratic Council (1953-57), and president (1957-61). He was also the California delegate at the Democratic National Conventions in 1956, 1960, 1964, and 1968. The collection consists of correspondence, clippings, and printed material related to the formation, development, and activities of the California Democratic Council (CDC) between 1953 and 1967, and materials related to another organization, the Dime-A-Day Democracy Group.

Joseph Lucian Wyatt, Jr. was born in Chicago, Illinois, February 21, 1924; attended Northwestern University (AB, 1947) and Harvard Law School (LL.B., 1949); became a lawyer and sole practitioner, Los Angeles, California, in 1949; member California State Personnel Board, 1961-71; Director, Los Angeles Junior Chamber of Commerce, 1956-59; secretary, California Democratic Council (CDC), 1953-57; president, CDC, 1957-61; California delegate, Democratic National Convention, 1956, 1960, 1964, and 1968.

7.0 linear ft. (14 boxes)

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