# Harlan Hagen

Harlan Francis Hagen (October 8, 1914 – November 25, 1990) was an American lawyer and World War II veteran who served as a United States representative from California. A member of the Democratic Party, he served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1953 to 1967, representing the 14th and 18th districts of California.

## Early life and education

Born in Lawton, North Dakota, Hagen graduated from Long Beach Polytechnic High School in Long Beach, California. He went on to graduate from Long Beach City College in 1933 and from the University of California, Berkeley with an A.B. degree in 1936. In 1940, he received an L.L.B. from Berkeley.
After receiving his law degree, Hagen entered the private practice of law.

### World War II

During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946.

## Political career

Hagen was elected to the city council of Hanford, California, in 1948. Later that year, he was elected to the California State Assembly where he served from 1949 to 1952.

### Congress

In 1952, Hagen was elected to the 83rd Congress as a Democrat, defeating Republican Congressman Thomas Werdel with 51% of the vote. He went on to serve seven terms in the House of Representatives, from January 3, 1953, to January 3, 1967. During his tenure in Congress, he voted in favor of the 1957 Civil Rights Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1960, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. He voted as well for the 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Hagen was defeated for reelection in 1966 by the Republican candidate, Bob Mathias, by a margin of 55.9% to 44.1% in what was by then designated as the 18th District. He tried to win the seat back from Mathias in 1968 but was again defeated, receiving only 33.4% of the vote.

## Death

Hagen died on November 25, 1990, in Hanford, California.

## Electoral history

1952 United States House of Representatives elections :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Harlan Hagen | 70,809 | 51 |
| | Republican | Thomas H. Werdel (Incumbent) | 68,011 | 49 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 138,820 | 100 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |
1954 United States House of Representatives elections :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Harlan Hagen | 75,194 | 65 |
| | Republican | Al Blain | 40,270 | 35 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 115,464 | 100 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |
1956 United States House of Representatives elections :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Harlan Hagen (Incumbent) | 94,461 | 63 |
| | Republican | Myron F. Tisdel | 55,509 | 37 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 149,970 | 100 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |
1958 United States House of Representatives elections :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Harlan Hagen (Incumbent) | 120,347 | 100.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |
1960 United States House of Representatives elections :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Harlan Hagen (Incumbent) | 97,026 | 56.5 |
| | Republican | G. Ray Arnett | 74,800 | 43.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 171,826 | 100.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |
United States House of Representatives elections, 1962 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Harlan Hagen (incumbent) | 91,684 | 58.9 |
| | Republican | G. Ray Arnett | 64,037 | 41.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 155,721 | 100.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |
United States House of Representatives elections, 1964 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Harlan Hagen (incumbent) | 121,304 | 66.7 |
| | Republican | James E. Williams Jr. | 60,523 | 33.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 181,827 | 100.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |
United States House of Representatives elections, 1966 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Bob Mathias | 96,699 | 55.9 |
| | Democratic | Harlan Hagen (incumbent) | 76,346 | 44.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 173,045 | 100.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |
United States House of Representatives elections, 1968 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Bob Mathias (incumbent) | 100,008 | 65.2 |
| | Democratic | Harlan Hagen | 51,274 | 33.4 |
| | American Independent | Edward Calvin Williams | 2,186 | 1.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 153,468 | 100.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |