Benjamin Franklin Hill was something of an invisible candidate in 1924. However, he did help prevent the Democratic Party from becoming yet again a third place loser in the gubernatorial race. Had he not died such an untimely death at age 50 in 1929, it is probable he would've become a major player in Washington State politics after the Democratic sweep of 1932. As it is, if he is ever mentioned in history books at all he is usually assigned the tag of being the "token opposition."

Ben Hill was born Apr. 21, 1879, the son of Ben and Sarah Jane (Cross) Hill. Sources conflict on his birthplace. According to his obituary he was born in Marysville, Iowa, "Five months later he moved with his parents, by wagon train, to Kansas where he spent his youth and attended the state university." His death certificate states he was born in Wellington, Kansas, about 30 miles from Wichita.

Ben came West in 1909, first settling in Pendleton, Oregon for a couple years. On Mar. 3, 1911 he moved across the border to Walla Walla and engaged in the undertaking business. He quickly became politically active and was elected as a Democrat to the Washington State House of Representatives in 1912 and in 1914. In the 1913 Session, the House comprised of 48 Republicans, 30 Progressives, 1 Socialist, and only 18 Democrats. The 1915 Session had 78 Republicans, 6 Progressives, and 13 Democrats. Governor Lister, a lonely statewide elected Democrat, counted on Hill as one of his few legislative supporters. While in office, Ben developed a special interest in improving Washington's highways.