Jack McDowell; Pulitzer-Winning Reporter, Campaign Consultant

Jack McDowell, 84, a Pulitzer Prize-winning San Francisco reporter who became a successful political campaign consultant. Born in Alameda, Calif., to the founder and publisher of the Alameda Times-Star, McDowell attended what is now San Jose State University and then with his brother Clifford became co-owner of the Eugene Daily News in Oregon and the Turlock Daily Journal in California. In 1942, he moved to San Francisco as war correspondent for the now-defunct Call-Bulletin. He won a Pulitzer in 1945 for a story tracing a pint of donated blood (then a new process) to the Pacific Theater soldier who received the transfusion. During the war, he also wrote a book with Navy Chaplain Howell M. Forgy, “And Pass the Ammunition.” McDowell later penned a column, “Memo From Mac,” and served as city editor of the Call-Bulletin and then political editor and columnist for the San Francisco Examiner. After serving as news director for Ronald Reagan’s gubernatorial reelection campaign in 1970, McDowell joined Richard Woodward to form the consulting firm Woodward & McDowell. They managed the U.S. Senate campaign of S.I. Hayakawa and then concentrated primarily on statewide proposition campaigns. McDowell, known for his honesty, credibility and journalistic standards, and his partner amassed a win record of 95%, handling such historic hot ballot measures as the 1984 lottery initiative and several insurance initiatives, and defeating the 1990 “Big Green” environmental initiative. On Saturday in Atherton, Calif.