Certain in his own lack of prejudice, Reagan responded resentfully that bigotry was not in his nature[102] and later argued that certain provisions of the act infringed on a citizens' right to private property.[103] After the Supreme Court of California struck down the Rumford Act in May, he voiced his support for the act's repeal,[104] but later preferred amending it.[105] In the Republican primary, Reagan defeated George Christopher,[106] a moderate[107] who William F. Buckley Jr. thought had framed Reagan as extreme.[106]
Reagan's general election opponent, Pat Brown, attempted to label Reagan as an extremist and tout his own accomplishments.[108] Reagan portrayed himself as a political outsider,[109] and charged Brown as responsible for the Watts riots and lenient on crime.[108] Lou Cannon notes that the Free Speech Movement, high taxes, unrestrained spending, and lack of accountability were often considered issues in Reagan's campaign speeches.[110] He also notes that Reagan benefited on television in comparison to the seemingly unpleasant governor.[111] Meanwhile, the press continued to perceive Reagan as "monumentally ignorant of state issues".[112] Ultimately, Reagan won the governorship in a landslide.