William Randolph Hearst for Governor

Photograph of William Randolph Hearst with white text

William Randolph Hearst Sr. (1863-1951) was an American politician, businessman, and newspaper publisher who built the media company, Hearst Communications in 1887. Recognized as the nation's largest newspaper chain, Hearst Communications owns numerous well-known publications, including the San Francisco Chronicle, Cosmopolitan, and Esquire. Outside of Hearst Communications, William Hearst was also involved in politics. Twice elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Democrat, Hearst also launched campaigns for the position of President of the United States in 1904, Mayor of New York City in 1905, and for Governor of New York in 1906. However, none of these campaigns were successful. Furthermore, Hearst and his life also serve as the main inspiration behind the character of Charles Foster Kane, who served as the lead character in the film, Citizen Kane.