Upton Sinclair’s 1934 run for governor of California inspired a cult

Sinclair the future historian did not take personal credit for this landslide, which was due to the extensive grassroots political organization inspired by the End Poverty in California campaign, better known as EPIC. Local EPIC chapters were meant to support a statewide slate of EPIC candidates for the California legislature, delivering Sinclair the legislative majority he would need to pass his far-reaching social-reform programs. Together with the rollout of FDR’s ambitious New Deal programs, Merriam’s victory over Sinclair in California dissipated the energies of most EPIC chapters.

Source: www.laphamsquarterly.org