Washington Montgomery Bartlett was an American politician who served as the 16th governor of California from January 1887 until his death in September of that year, as well as the 20th mayor of San Francisco from 1883 to 1887. He was the first Jewish governor of any U.S. state and – to date – the only Jewish governor of California. Bartlett converted to Congregationalism on his deathbed and was buried as a Christian.

Moses Alexander was an American businessman and politician who served as the 11th governor of Idaho, the second elected Jewish governor of a U.S. state, and the first who actually practiced that religion. Jewish California Governor Washington Bartlett, was elected in 1887, but had converted to Christianity. Moses Alexander served from 1915 until 1919, and remains the state's sole Jewish chief executive.