Biography*
Born in Illinois in 1933, Pete Wilson attended Yale University and served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He earned his law degree at the University of California and went into practice as an attorney. Wilson got his indoctrination into politics at the age of 27 by serving as an advance man for Richard Nixon during the 1960 presidential campaign. Wilson served as State Assemblyman, Mayor of San Diego, and U.S. Senator prior to assuming the office of Governor in 1991. During his first term, a budget impasse between the Governor and the legislature forced the state to operate without a budget for a record 61 days. This caused state employees and creditors to be paid with warrants rather than with checks. Wilson pushed successfully for changes in workers' compensation laws, the goal of which was to reform the system and prevent businesses from leaving the state.
Administration under Governor Pete Wilson
- Inaugural Address
- January 7, 1991
- Inaugural Address
- January 2, 1995
The Life of Governor Pete Wilson
Born
August 23, 1933
Lake Forest, Illinois
Family
First Lady: Gayle Edlund
