Max Rafferty | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 22nd California State Superintendent of Public Instruction | |
| In office January 7, 1963 – January 4, 1971 | |
| Governor | Pat Brown Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | Roy E. Simpson |
| Succeeded by | Wilson Riles |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Maxwell Lewis Rafferty Jr. May 7, 1917 New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Died | June 13, 1982 (aged 65) Pike County, Alabama |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Frances Longman Rafferty (1944–1982; his death) |
| Relations | Frances Rafferty (sister) |
| Children | 3 |
| Profession | Author and educator |
Maxwell Lewis Rafferty Jr. (May 7, 1917 – June 13, 1982) was an American writer, educator, and politician. The author of several best-selling books about education, Rafferty served two terms as California State Superintendent of Public Instruction from 1963 to 1971 under Governors Pat Brown and later eventual future US President Ronald Reagan and ran unsuccessfully in 1968 for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee, losing to Democratic former State Controller Alan Cranston. As of 2024, Rafferty is the very last Republican to have officially serve as California State Superintendent of Public Instruction to date.