Unlike his son Jerry , Pat himself never seriously ran for President of the United States , but was frequently California 's " favorite son . " During the 1952 Democratic primaries , Brown placed distant second to Estes Kefauver in total votes ( 65.04 % to 9.97 % ) , losing California to Kefauver . During Governor Brown 's first term , the national census confirmed that California would become the nation 's most populous state . This , along with Brown 's political popularity , would contribute to two national Presidential victories , when he pledged his votes to the national candidates , John F. Kennedy in 1960 , and Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964 , at the Democratic conventions . As governor , Brown was again California 's favorite son in 1960 , winning his home state with a large margin to his only opponent , George H. McLain . Running only in the California primary , the state 's sheer population size placed him second , behind the eventual nominee , John F. Kennedy , thus repeating his 1952 state and national rankings . However , only one delegate cast his vote for Brown at the 1960 Democratic National Convention
1960 Democratic National Convention
1960 Democratic National Convention
Pat Brown