From collection Candidates
In 1912 Florence Watson ran as a Democratic Party candidate and was elected as a University of Illinois Trustee. She polled 399,803 votes (11.78%) in a fiercely fought election among candidates from many parties for three positions. Another women Democrat also won. Watson served on several standing committees, including Students' Welfare, Instruction, and Library. She was one of several trustees who recommended the building of a new library in 1914.