Richard Joseph Welch (February 13, 1869 – September 10, 1949) was an American laborer, clerk and politician who served in the United States House of Representatives for 12 terms from 1926 to 1949, representing San Francisco, California. He previously served in the California State Senate and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. As of 2025, he is the last Republican to represent San Francisco in the House.
Early life Welch was born in Monroe County, New York and educated in the public schools. He moved to California in 1885 and worked on a farm in Freeport before settling in the South of Market neighborhood of San Francisco. There he apprenticed as an iron molder at the Union Iron Works, training himself to become a machinist. When the workers there went on strike, he joined them. He was later appointed a clerk of the San Francisco County Superior Court in 1894, serving in that position for the next six years.
Early political career
Welch became active in politics as a Republican, including serving as treasurer of his local Republican Club, helping organize events for the McKinley/Hobart ticket during the 1896 presidential campaign, and organizing San Francisco's Dewey Republican Club in 1898.
Welch was elected to the California State Senate in 1900, serving from 1901 to 1913. During this time he was appointed Chief Wharfinger of the Port of San Francisco, serving from 1903 to 1907. He also served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors from 1916 until September 30, 1926, when he resigned, having been elected to Congress.
Following the rise of the Union Labor Party in the city, Welch opposed their mayoral candidates and the influence of the party's boss, Abe Ruef, on the local Republican Party. Relations between the pro- and anti-Ruef factions were "good-natured" however, and after Welch made amends the Union Labor Party endorsed him for reelection in 1904 and 1908.
Congressional career
Welch was elected to the Sixty-ninth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Lawrence J. Flaherty. He was re-elected to the Seventieth and to the eleven succeeding Congresses and served from August 31, 1926, until his death in 1949. He was succeeded by John F. Shelley and was the last Republican to hold this seat.
During his tenure, Welch served as chairman of the Committee on Labor (Seventy-first Congress), and the Committee on Public Lands (Eightieth Congress). He successfully introduced the Filipino Repatriation Act of 1935, which intended to exclude Filipinos from immigrating to the United States and repatriate those who wished to return.
Death Welch died in a hospital in Needles, California on September 10, 1949 at the age of 80. His body was interred at Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma, California.
Electoral history
Republican Richard J. Welch won the 1926 special election to replace fellow Republican Lawrence J. Flaherty, who died in office. Data for this special election is not available.1926 special election results
See also List of members of the United States Congress who died in office (1900–1949)
References
External links
Join California - Richard J. Welch The Maritime Heritage Project - Chief Wharfinger