Gabriel Tillman served as the 38th Governor of California. He is first mentioned as someone Will Bailey ghostwrote a much-lauded speech for during the 2002 elections, delivered at the Stanford Club.[1]
A Democrat, Tillman supported John Hoynes during the 2006 Democratic primaries. After Hoynes was accused of sexual misconduct, Tillman withdrew his endorsement. He later offered support to Matthew Santos, and the two appeared in a joint press conference where Tillman vetoed a bill which denied drivers licenses to illegal immigrants - Republicans in the California Legislature had passed the bill to "wreak havoc" among the Democrats.[2]
Later in 2006, Tillman was at the center of the San Andreo disaster in his state. He was reluctant to order a rushed evacuation, until encouraged to do so with the backing of President Bartlet.[3]