California State Government

CALIFORNIA'S GOVERNORS

Peter Burnett
1st Governor, Independent Democrat
(1849-1851)
Peter Burnett was born in 1807 in Tennessee. He held various jobs over the years, including storekeeper, lawyer, farmer and judge. As a lawyer, he acted as defense counsel for Joseph Smith and other Mormons when they were under indictment. Burnett requested a change of venue and while transporting the prisoners they were able to escape. As a legislator in Oregon, Burnett proposed that all free Negroes be forced to leave the state. Any who failed to leave were to be arrested and flogged every six months until they did leave. Burnett was elected governor of California in 1849 -- before California had even become a state. After his first annual address received criticism from the legislature, he abruptly resigned from office. Burnett, who wrote a book about his passionate conversion to Catholicism, is honored with a memorial in the church at Mission Santa Clara.

John McDougall
2nd Governor, Independent Democrat
(1851-1852)
Born in Ohio in 1818, John McDougall came to California as a gold miner. When, as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1849 he was nominated Lt. Governor, he said, "I reckon I'll take that. I don't believe anyone else will have it." Despite this less than enthusiastic entrance into politics, McDougall succeeded to the office of Governor. During his term he issued so many proclamations beginning "I, John McDougall", that he was soon known throughout the state as "I John". McDougall opposed legislation that would outlaw dueling. He stated that those who dueled weren't fit to live and that by allowing them to continue to duel they would eventually kill each other off. Interestingly enough, after his term McDougall wounded a newspaper editor in one duel and was arrested still later when about to begin another. < style="font-family: arial;">

John Bigler
3rd Governor, Democrat
(1852-1856)
Born in Pennsylvania in 1805, John Bigler was a printer's apprentice, a newspaper editor, and a lawyer prior to driving an ox team to California during the gold rush. In Sacramento he became known for his bravery in aiding the sick and burying the dead during a cholera epidemic, even though he almost died from the disease himself. While Bigler served as governor of California, his brother served as governor of Pennsylvania. Legend has it that in 1854, Bigler rescued the portrait of George Washington from the Senate Chamber when the old Sacramento Courthouse (where the legislature was then housed) burned. This portrait, which still hangs in the Senate Chamber today, is reputed to be the oldest portrait in the Capitol. The 1854 legislature honored Governor Bigler by naming a lake after him. In 1870 Bigler Lake was renamed "Lake Tahoe".

J. Neeley Johnson
4th Governor, American (Know-Nothing)
(1856-1858)
J. Neeley Johnson, born in 1825, studied law in Indiana but came to California as a mule train driver and gold prospector. Returning to the law, he served as Sacramento City Attorney, and eventually as a State Assemblyman. Johnson once confronted a newspaper editor, accusing the man of writing an insulting article about him. Johnson grabbed the editor's nose and twisted it in anger. The editor responded by drawing his pistol but onlookers were able to overtake him before he fired. A few years later Johnson became Governor -- at 30, the youngest man ever to assume that office. He was described as "the most startled man in the state" when told of his election. As Governor he once vetoed a bill because of "bad spelling, improper punctuation and erasures", but he also holds the distinction of approving funding for the State Capitol.

John Weller
5th Governor, Democrat
(1858-1860)
John Weller studied law and served as District Attorney in Ohio, where he was born in 1812. He was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, served in the Mexican War, and was U.S. Commissioner of International Boundaries. ...[Later, after a scandal] he was removed from the commission by President Taylor. Somehow recovering from the scandal, Weller entered politics in California first serving as State Senator. As Governor, he intended to make California an independent republic if the North and South divided over slavery, and he personally led an assault on San Quentin Prison to take back possession of it from a commercial contractor. The most wed governor, Weller married four times.

Milton Latham
6th Governor, Lecompton Democrat
(1860-1860)
Born in Ohio in 1827, Milton Latham was educated in Pennsylvania and worked as a school teacher, court clerk and lawyer. Arriving in California in 1850, he served as District Attorney, then in the U.S. House of Representatives, and as Collector for the Port of San Francisco. Latham was a Lecompton (pro-Southern) Democrat, and his election to the office of Governor was opposed by those who feared that he would make California a pro-slavery state. Latham is the only Governor who kept a journal of his activities every day of his term, but he also had the shortest term - five days. Latham only ran for Governor because he wanted the available seat of U.S. Senator Broderick, who had been killed in a duel. (At that time, a U.S. Senator was considered to "outrank" a Governor.) Once Latham took office he had the legislature appoint him to Senator Broderick's seat.

John Downey
7th Governor, Lecompton Democrat
(1860-1862)
California's first foreign born Governor, John Downey was born in Ireland in 1827. Although a druggist by profession, he followed the Gold Rush to California and prospected in Grass Valley. Eventually he prospered in business in Southern California, where the town of Downey is named after him. He served on the L.A. Common Council prior to his election to the State Assembly. As Lt. Governor, he succeeded Milton Latham as Governor. Downey's veto of the "bulkhead" bill (which would have allowed ownership of San Francisco's waterfront by a monopoly) made Downey a hero. The issue remained volatile, however, and once, on a visit to San Francisco, he called a man a "bulkheader" and fists began to fly. The fight was broken up when witnesses restrained Downey's opponent, crying, "you shan't strike the Governor!"

Leland Stanford
8th Governor, Republican
(1862-1863)
A New Yorker by birth, California's eighth governor was born Amasa Leland Stanford in 1824. He was a lawyer, a storekeeper, a Justice of the Peace, and an organizer of the Sacramento Library Association. Most notably, Stanford was one of the "Big Four" (the other three being Huntington, Hopkins and Crocker) who built the transcontinental railroad which connected the Eastern United States to the West. Stanford was elected to the office of Governor as a Republican and as Governor he made major constitutional changes, sponsored legislative reforms, backed the conservation of forests, and cut the state debt in half. One of the constitutional changes enacted during his term lengthened the governor's term in office from two years to four. Consequently, he was the last governor of California to serve a two year term.

Frederick Low
9th Governor, Unionist
(1863-1867)
Frederick Low, born in Maine in 1828, worked in a mercantile house and educated himself by attending lectures at the Lowell Institute and Fanueil Hall in Boston. Gold lured him to California, where in a few short months (later described as the best time of his life) he unearthed $1,500 in gold enough to set up a business in San Francisco. He prospered there as well, eventually co-owning the California Steam Navigation Company (a large river navigation company). A Unionist republican, he served in Congress and as Collector for the Port of San Francisco. As Governor, he encouraged a state university, and some consider him the founder of the University of California. Looking back on his term of office, Low once said, "There's not much chance to display one's ability in the governor's office of this state, even if you be brilliant."

Henry Haight
10th Governor, Democrat
(1867-1871)
Henry Haight was born in the state of New York in 1825. As a young man, he attended Yale University and entered the practice of law, eventually moving west where he prospered and earned a solid reputation. Haight never held public office of any kind before he was elected Governor of California on the Democratic ticket, beginning his term of office in 1867. The state debt was reduced under Haight's administration. He also ended the government subsidies that had been paid to silk and woolen manufacturers throughout the state for many years. He is credited with establishing the State Board of Health and the University of California, which had only been in the planning stages until his term of office. In 1878 Henry Haight fell ill at his office in San Francisco. He immediately went to a Russian bathhouse and it was there that he died.

Newton Booth
11th Governor, Republican
(1871-1875)
Born in Indiana in 1825, Newton Booth was a lawyer who came to California and enjoyed success as a wholesale grocer prior to his election as State Senator. As Governor, he had strong opinions and a penchant for using the veto. In 1873, Booth helped to organize a new political party, the "Dolly Vardens", and with their support he was elected to the U.S. Senate. Since his swearing-in ceremony was not to take place until 18 months later, he remained in office as Governor despite being elected to the Senate. This controversial move prompted an attempt to amend the state constitution to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future. A bachelor while in office, booth did not marry until age 68, then died only five months later. Booth, who was considered to be one of the great public speakers of his day, died of cancer of the tongue.

Romualdo Pacheco
12th Governor, Republican
(1875-1875)
The first California-born governor, Romualdo Pacheco was born in 1831 in Santa Barbara - long before California was to become a state. The only governor of Spanish ancestry, he grew up Spanish-speaking, but at school in Hawaii he learned French and English - and forgot Spanish entirely. Returning to California, he had to re-learn his native tongue. He was a rancher, a judge, State Senator, State Treasurer, and Lt. Governor. Since the legislature was not in session during his nine months as Governor, Pacheco's brief term passed without real controversy or substance. While Governor, he killed a stag in Marin County, and the head and horns were mounted and hung in the Governor's office. A true outdoorsman, he is the only governor who claimed to have lassoed a grizzly bear. In 1876, Pacheco ran for the U.S. House of Representatives and won by one vote.

William Irwin
13th Governor, Democrat
(1875-1880)
William Irwin was born in Ohio in 1827, where he attended Marietta College and also taught for two years. He was employed in the lumber business for a while but then moved to California. Virtually a jack-of-all-trades, Irwin worked in a slaughterhouse, at a livery stable and for a stage line before serving in the State Assembly. He then worked as a newspaper editor until elected to the Senate, where, as President pro Tempore, he succeeded to acting Lt. Governor when Pacheco became Governor. During Irwin's term as Governor, paper money was widely introduced. Irwin fought to keep California a "hard money" state, preferring gold and silver instead. He also believed that the power to issue pardons should be taken away from the governor. Former Governor Low said that Irwin "made his reputation by looking wise and keeping his mouth shut."

George Perkins
14th Governor, Republican
(1880-1883)
Born in Maine in 1839, George Perkins ran away from home at age 12 and went to sea. At 16 he arrived in California, and by age 20 had established himself in business with a store that grossed $500,000 per year. A Republican, he served as State Senator, then campaigned successfully for Governor - his theme song was "The Good Ship George C. Perkins." While in office, he personally interviewed each of the many prisoners he pardoned, showing particular leniency toward juveniles. A new state constitution was developed during this time, shortening his term of office to allow future gubernatorial elections to be held in even-numbered years. The open support that Perkins showed for business monopolies prompted modern-day historians to joke that if Perkins ever got into deep water a Standard Oil tanker would have been sent to rescue him.

George Stoneman
15th Governor, Democrat
(1883-1887)
A military man, George Stoneman was born in New York in 1822. He attended West Point and served in the Mexican War. After arriving in California, Stoneman was appointed to be in command of the San Francisco Presidio. Later, he served in the Civil War. Stoneman was also a rancher, and served on several state and federal commissions prior to his election to the office of Governor. He supported prison reform and staunchly believed in rehabilitating prisoners through parole - so much so that in the last few weeks of his term, Stoneman granted 260 pardons and commuted 146 prison sentences. In 1885, Stoneman's ranch house in San Gabriel was burned to the ground. Arson was evident and local Mexicans were purported to be involved. Although they obviously intended to harm the governor, he was not at home at the time and escaped injury.

Washington Bartlett
16th Governor, Democrat
(1887-1887)
Washington Bartlett was born in Georgia in 1824. He was a printer by trade, and as such Bartlett published the first English-language book ever printed in California, under the cumbersome title of "California As It Is and As It May Be or A Guide to the Gold Country." Bartlett went on to become a San Francisco newspaper publisher, San Francisco Country Clerk, a lawyer, State Senator and Mayor of San Francisco prior to his election as Governor. Although he himself was not particularly religious, Barlett's mother was Jewish, which according to Jewish law means that he was also a Jew - making him California's only Jewish governor to date. Bartlett was a life-long bachelor with a reputation for honesty. Just nine months into his term, however, Bartlett became the first California governor to die in office.

Robert Waterman
17th Governor, Republican
(1887-1891)
Born in New York in 1826, Robert Waterman was a store clerk and postmaster in Illinois. He joined the gold rush in 1849 and drove an ox team to California where he prospected first, and then tried his hand at shopkeeping. A Republican, Waterman went back to Illinois where he played a key part in the election of President Lincoln. Upon returning to California he made a fortune in gold mining - his Stonewall Jackson mine in Southern California netted him $500 a day He served as Lt. Governor prior to assuming the office of Governor. A major issue during his term was whether the state of California should be divided. Nicknamed "Old Honesty," Waterman vowed to run the state like a business and not tolerate dishonesty, drunkenness or excessive spending. He harangued the legislature for having 228 clerks at a time when they were only entitled to 35.

Henry Markham
18th Governor, Republican
(1891-1895)
Henry Markham was born in New York in 1840. Wounded twice in the Civil War, the young lawyer later came to California. A Republican, he served in Congress prior to campaigning for Governor as "the dashing colonel from Pasadena." He once came upon a woman and her son on the street who had just been evicted from their home for non-payment of rent. He went up to the door and then walked with the boy to the corner, where he told him that he had seen a key in the lock of the door. When the boy went back to his mother they mounted the steps and found a $100 bill tucked in the keyhole. Meanwhile, Markham had slipped quietly away. California suffered a depression during Markham's term. As a means to attract visitors and new residents to the state, he pressed for a Mid-Winter Exposition in 1894. The event was held in San Francisco and was a huge success.

James Budd
19th Governor, Democrat
(1895-1899)
James Budd, born in Wisconsin in 1851, graduated with the first four-year class at the University of California at Berkeley. He was a lawyer, a Deputy District Attorney and Congressman. In protest of the Southern Pacific Railroad, Budd campaigned for Governor by buckboard. Though touted as a hero during his campaign (when he put out a fire at a meeting and later saved a girl from a kicking horse), his campaign was marred by the rehashing of an old scandal. . . . Budd survived the scandal and was the only Democrat to win state office that year. When he was in his office, Budd would hang a sign on the door that read, "Jim's in."

Henry Gage
20th Governor, Republican
(1899-1903)
Henry Gage was a New Yorker, born in 1852. He was a lawyer by profession, but established himself in California as a sheep dealer. After returning to the law, he served as Los Angeles City Attorney. A Republican, Gage's term as Governor was a rocky one. When bubonic plague broke out in San Francisco, he publicly denied the existence of the plague, only to be proved wrong. Later, he "negotiated" a major labour strike by threatening to impose martial law if both sides did not compromise. (Still later, Gage would go down to the waterfront dressed in a disguise and mingle with the stevedores in order to assure himself that no violence was brewing.) When a newspaper printed a cartoon of railroad king C.P. Huntington leading Gage around on a leash, Gage retaliated by signing legislation that restricted the press whenever politics - or politicians - were involved.

George Pardee
21st Governor, Republican
(1903-1907)
The son of a prominent physician and politician (who served as Mayor of Oakland, State Senator and State Assemblyman), George Pardee was destined to follow in his father's footsteps. Born in San Francisco in 1857, he was raised in the family home in Oakland. He attended the University of California and the Cooper Medical College before completing his studies in Germany. As a physician he specialized in diseases of the eye and ear, joining his father's practice. He served on the Board of Health, the Oakland City Council, and eventually as Mayor. His exposure to the innovative conservation efforts in Germany heavily influenced his political decisions, and as Governor he was a strong supporter of conservation measures. After leaving office he was president of the East Bay Municipal Utilities district. Pardee Dam, near Jackson, is named after him.

James Gillett
22nd Governor, Republican
(1907-1911)
James Gillett was born in Wisconsin in 1860. He studied to be a lawyer and established a successful practice in Eureka, California. Gillett won the Republican party's nomination for Governor over incumbent George Pardee, whose refusal to side with the railroad monopoly in his political decisions had soured the party against him. During his term as Governor automobiles were becoming more and more common in California, and Gillett pioneered the state highway system. He also worked to develop parole guidelines that would help prisoners reform themselves and return as productive members of society. Like many other governors, Gillett suffered financially while in office, and therefore felt compelled to return to private practice after only one term. It is thought that his wife Isabella, a socialite originally from San Francisco, was influential in this decision.

Hiram Johnson
23rd Governor, Republican
(1911-1917)
Hiram Johnson was born and raised in Sacramento, and it was there that he was indoctrinated into politics. As a young man, he accompanied his father, armed with pistols, into a "den" of dishonest politicians and watched as he fearlessly denounced them for their corruption. Although the political poles of father and son were to differ in later years, the younger Johnson was never to waiver in his campaign against corruption. Johnson initially worked in law offices as a stenographer and shorthand reporter, but eventually became a lawyer himself. He attracted the attention of politicians statewide when he successfully took over as special prosecutor in a notorious graft trial when the chief prosecutor was gunned down in the courtroom. Two years later, Johnson, politically a Progressive, was elected Governor. He had never held public office before.

William Stephens
24th Governor, Republican
(1917-1923)
William Stephens began his career as a railroad laborer and grocery clerk. He eventually served as U.S. Congressman and Lt. Governor prior to succeeding Hiram Johnson as Governor. It was a time of great upheaval in California - Stephens was supporting prohibition and women were fighting for the right to vote (which passed in California in 1911). Additionally, World War I started. Stephens' administration suffered threats and bombings - the Governor's Mansion was bombed in 1917 by labor radicals, and , in an unrelated incident, $50, 000 was demanded or both the capitol and the mansion would be blown up. Perhaps as a way to build morale, Stephens frequently backed special days such as "Ripe Olive Day," "Gauze Mask Day" and "Go to Sunday School Sunday." The ever bow-tied Stephens was admitted to the bar while Governor, and entered the practice of law after leaving office.

Friend Richardson
25th Governor, Republican
(1923-1927)
Friend Richardson was actually born William Richardson, in Michigan in 1865. A devout Quaker, he legally changed his name to the Quaker greeting "Friend." He worked as a county clerk, law librarian, and newspaper editor before entering government service, first as Superintendent of the State Printing Office, and then as State Treasurer. Their Quaker beliefs would not allow the Richardsons to have servants at the Governor's Mansion. Richardson ran a "no-frills" administration under the capitol dome, frequently vetoing measures that would increase spending. He even felt that education had become too costly and tried (but failed) to close two colleges. His efforts left a $20 million surplus in the state treasury. Richardson often said, "Politics is my meat and bread." His personal philosophy was one of "making good on the job."

C. C. Young
26th Governor, Republican
(1927-1931)
Clement Calhoun Young was born in 1869, and began his career as a teacher. His students at Lowell High School in San Francisco nick-named him "C-Square." In 1912, Young was a delegate to the Bull-Moose convention in Chicago. Prior to his election as Governor he served in the State Assembly and as Lt. Governor. It was during his term that it was decided to complete portraits of all statehood governors to hang in the halls of the capitol. However, Young refused "to be done in oils and hung," stating that as long as he was there, a picture of him would be "altogether superfluous." Young established commissions to address the major issues of the day, and worked to add to the state's surplus. His re-election campaign poster read, "Re-Elect C.C. Young - He left $31 million in the treasury." An active member of the Sierra Club, the photography for the poster was done by Ansel Adams.

James Rolph
27th Governor, Republican
(1931-1934)
Born in 1869, James Rolph made his success in the ship-building business and served as mayor of his native San Francisco for 20 years. When he fell on hard times he was bailed out by wealthy friends, and it was rumored that he repaid his debts with political favors. A charismatic man known as "Sunny Jim," Rolph openly ignored the prohibition laws and once sent a case of whiskey to a condemned man. He caused an uproar by refusing protection for two kidnappers, and then, when they were lynched by a mob, publicly stating that justice was served. As a remedy for the financial blues during the Great Depression, it was Rolph's suggestion that everyone simply take a two-week holiday. He established the State Park System recommended by C.C. Young, and instituted the California Sales Tax - then known as "Pennies for Jimmy."

Frank Merriam
28th Governor, Republican
(1934-1939)
An educator and newspaperman, Frank Merriam, born in 1865, first entered politics in his home state of Iowa, serving there in the legislature and as State Auditor. He arrived in California at the age of 45 and served as Assemblyman, Senator, and Lt. Governor. He is the only governor to also have served as Speaker of the Assembly and presiding officer of the Senate. As Governor, he waged a war against corrupt lobbyists and appointed a committee to investigate them. His arch-enemy was the notorious lobbyist Artie Samish, whose power was so great he scorned Merriam and called himself "California's behind-the-scenes" governor. Merriam was the first governor to marry in office; he and his bride moved into the Governor's Mansion two days later. Merriam's nickname - a reflection on his shiny bald head - was "Marbletop."

Culbert Olson
29th Governor, Democrat
(1939-1943)
Born in Utah in 1876, politics was in Culbert Olson's blood. His suffragette mother was the first female elected official in Utah, and his cousin was a Congressman. Prior to his election as Governor, Olson was a farmhand, construction laborer, railroad worker, telegraph operator, newspaper editor, lawyer, U.S. Senator and State Senator. One of Olson's Hollywood friends once said, "If you'd called Central Casting foràgovernors, Culbert Olson is what they'd have sent you," but while he looked the part, he was not suited for it. As Olson told Earl Warren, "If you want to know what Hell is like, just be Governor." He tried (but failed) to manage the legislature (he even installed a "hot line" phone to the Speaker's rostrum). Olson made humanitarian changes in the penal system and pardoned Tom Mooney, the controversial labor martyr convicted 20 years earlier.

Earl Warren
30th Governor, Republican
(1943-1953)
A native of Los Angeles, Earl Warren was born in 1891. He studied law and after service in the U.S. Army he became City Attorney for the city of Oakland. He then served as Deputy District Attorney and ultimately District Attorney for the County of Alameda. In that position he became known for his brilliant and tenacious investigative skills. Warren was elected Governor in 1943, and re-elected twice. Although he was a Republican, he made his political appointments based on merit rather than on political loyalties. As Governor, Warren became more and more concerned with social justice. During WWII, however, he supported internment of Japanese-Americans, a position which he came to regret deeply in his later years. In 1953, President Eisenhower appointed Warren Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Warren died in 1974.

Goodwin Knight
31st Governor, Republican
(1953-1959)
Goodwin Knight was born in Utah in 1896. When he was just a boy, his family came to California, settling in Los Angeles, where he attended the local schools. As a young man, Knight combined stints as a newspaper reporter, grocery clerk, and hardrock miner with service in the Navy and studies at both Stanford and Cornell Universities prior to entering his chosen field of law. In due time, Knight was appointed Judge of the Superior Court, a position he held for many years. He served as Lt. Governor under Earl Warren, succeeding to the office of Governor in 1953. During his term, Knight made major achievements in the area of water conservation and development, including the beginning of the Feather River Project. He also improved the prisons and created the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Knight died in 1970.

Edmund G. "Pat" Brown
32nd Governor, Democrat
(1959-1967)
Born in San Francisco in 1905, Edmund Brown was nick-named "Pat" when as a boy selling Liberty Bonds, he ended his speeches by shouting Patrick Henry's line, "Give me liberty or give me death!" Later, Brown studied law, graduating first in his class. He eventually joined the firm of a blind attorney, and upon the senior attorney's death Brown took over the practice. Always active in political causes, Brown entered public life as District Attorney, and eventually became Attorney General. As Governor, he achieved a statewide water plan and improvements in higher education, but his most controversial move was when he granted a 60-day reprieve to Caryl Chessman convicted of rape and kidnapping with bodily harm (who was eventually executed). Brown also ended the practice of cross-filing for political candidates, and backed the use of computers in state government.

Ronald Reagan
33rd Governor, Republican
(1967-1975)
The son of a shoe salesman, Ronald Reagan was born in Illinois in 1911. Said Reagan, "We didn't live on the wrong side of the tracks, but close enough to hear the train whistles." Reagan was a construction worker, a life guard, radio announcer and actor. After serving in the airforce he returned to acting, becoming known as "the Errol Flynn of the B-movies." He eventually served as president of the Screen Actors Guild and during his tenure became active in politics. The Republican party was impressed with his political views and charisma and Reagan, who had not held public office before, was elected Governor with their backing. During his term in office, Reagan approved the construction of an elaborate new Governor's Mansion. However, construction was not completed until after he left office. Reagan holds the distinction of being the only California governor to become President of the United States.

Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown
34th Governor, Democrat
(1975-1983)
The son of former Governor Pat Brown, Jerry Brown was born in San Francisco in 1938. At age three, he became the youngest person to climb Yosemite's Ledge Trail. Brown's education included studies at the Jesuit Seminary, a law degree from Yale, and degrees in Latin and Greek from U.C. Berkeley. A lawyer, he eventually served on the L.A. School Board and as Secretary of State. As Governor, he had revolutionary ideas about state spending and refused to live in the huge new governor's mansion - renting a modest apartment instead, and nixing the governor's limousine in favor of a state-issued Plymouth. Brown was a leader in energy efficiency, sponsored and signed the first labor laws in the U.S. to protect farmworkers, and began the California Conservation Corps. His appointments emphasized minorities and women, echoing the social awareness of his era.

George Deukmejian
35th Governor, Republican
(1983-1991)
Born and raised in New York, George Deukmejian attended the local college and was nick-named "Duke" by his fellow students. He went on to earn his law degree at St. John's University and practiced law in New York before serving with the U.S. Army in Paris. Returning to the U.S., Deukmejian established a law practice in Southern California, and eventually served as State Assemblyman, State Senator, and Attorney General prior to assuming the office of Governor. As a legislator, he sponsored the "Use a gun, go to jail" law. Asked why he ran for the office of Governor, Deukmejian replied, "Attorneys General don't appoint judges - Governors do." During his eight- year term, Deukmejian appointed 1,000 judges, and by the time he left office, he had appointed the majority of California State Supreme Court Justices then serving on the bench.

Pete Wilson
36th Governor, Republican
(1991-1999)
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.

Gray Davis
37th Governor, Democrat
(1999-2003)
Throughout Governor Gray Davis' tenure, he made education his top priority. He worked to strengthen California's K-12 education system, increase accountability in schools, and expand access to higher education. He made record investments in California's infrastructure and protected California's unique environment. Under his leadership, California led the nation on civil rights. As Lieutenant Governor, Gray Davis focused on efforts to keep jobs in California and encourage business to locate and expand within California. Gray Davis also served as State Controller for eight years and from 1983-1987, in the State Assembly from Los Angeles County. From 1975-1981, he was Chief of Staff to Governor Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown, Jr. Gray Davis earned a bachelor of arts degree in history from Stanford University, graduating and a juris doctorate degree from Columbia University Law School in New York. In 1961, while at Stanford University, Gray Davis joined the Reserve Officer Training Corps. He entered active duty in the U.S. Army in 1967, after law school, rising to the rank of captain while serving in Vietnam in 1968-69. In Vietnam he earned the Bronze Star for meritorious service. He is a life member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.