Warren Reynolds Porter was a Republican politician from California. He served as the 24th Lieutenant Governor of California

Lieutenant Governor of California

The Lieutenant Governor of California is a statewide constitutional officer elected separately from the Governor who serves as the "vice-executive" of California. The Lieutenant Governor of California is elected to serve a four year term and can serve a maximum of two terms...

 1907 to 1911. Porter had grown up in Watsonville, California

Watsonville, California

Watsonville is a city in Santa Cruz County, California, United States. The population was 51,199 according to the 2010 census.Located on the central coast of California, the economy centers predominantly around the farming industry. It is known for growing strawberries, apples, lettuce and a host...

. A businessman, he co-founded Graniterock

Graniterock

Graniterock is a 100+ year old American corporation based in Watsonville, California. It operates in the construction industry providing crushed gravel, sand, concrete and asphalt. The company won the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 1992 and has been named one of Fortune Magazine's Best...

, and before that he was board secretary for the Loma Prieta Lumber Company south of Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California

Santa Cruz is the county seat and largest city of Santa Cruz County, California in the US. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, Santa Cruz had a total population of 59,946...

. He gained popularity in the more liberal Santa Cruz County since the Republican convention was held there. UC Santa Cruz’s Porter College is named after him.