“Fightin Bob” Shuler
Robert P. Shuler was the Prohibition Party candidate who received the highest vote of any prohibition candidate ever. In the 1932 California election for US Senate he received 560,088 votes (25.8%). He carried Orange and Riverside counties.
Following his defeat, Rev. Robert P. Shuler “placed an awful curse” on Southern California. “Fightin Bob” Shuler owned radio station KGFF from 1926 to 1932. KGFF stood for Keep God Forever First.
He lost its license for his controversial broadcasts. Shuler attacked Catholics, Jews, African Americans, and the Hollywood elite for drinking. He also attacked their alleged dishonesty, corruption, and immorality. But there is no evidence that he was a member of the Ku Klux Klan. It also strongly supported Prohibition.
Robert P. Shuler was pastor of the Trinity Methodist Church in Los Angeles. He was unrelated to the well-known former pastor of the Crystal Cathedral.
Also discover these other Party candidates.
- Marie C. Brehm
- Ben Bubar
- Earl Dodge (Highly controversial)
- Rolland Fisher
- Gideon T. Stewart (Also a Party founder)
- Aaron Watkins
- Claude A. Watson
Robert P. Shuler
Resources
Web
- Temperance Leaders.
- Temperance Timelines. (Six-part series.)
- Beginnings of Temperance in US. (One of a seven part series.)
- Benefits of Prohibition.
- Prohibition: The Noble Experiment.
- Benefits of Prohibition.
Readings
- Champion ‘Ag’inner’ of Universe Is Shuler. Belligerent Local Pastor Holds All Records for Attacks Upon Everybody, Everything. LA Times. 1930. 1
- R.P. Shuler. Prohibition Party website.
- Oldradio’s Radio/TV Station Call Letter Origins.
- Prohibition Party. Outline of History.
- Bob Shuler Hooted by Taft Crowd. Los Angeles Pastor Defends Klan; Compares Order to Masons. LA Times. 1922-07-01.
- Dr. Bob Shuler Lauds Ku Klux. Says Country is Poisoned With Putrid Judges, Lambasts Newspapers, Jews and Catholics; Asks Magazine Subscriptions After Tirade in Church. LA Times.
- Cryer Assails Shuler Charge. Ex-Mayor Calls Denied Judge McComb Takes Rap at Radio Preacher. LA Times. 1929-01-18.
- Cryer Lists His Wealth. Former Mayor Places Fortune as $450,000 in Testimony at Shuler Libel Trial. LA Times. 1929-11-08.
- Cryer Quizzed on Politics. Ex-Mayor Target of Sweeping Cross-Examination as Witness in Shuler Libel Trial. LA Times. 1929-11-09.
- Shuler Backed for President. Prohibition Party Prepares New Leadership Bid. LA Times. 1932-12-19.
- Official Vote on November 3 Announced. LA Times. 1942-12-10.
- Shuler’s Radio Time Canceled. Copies of Minister’s Talks Requested by F.C.C. for Examination. LA Times. 1943-01-29.
- Trinity Methodist Ch., S. v. Fed. Radio Com’n.