Dukakis << doo KAHK ihs >>, Michael Stanley (1933-…), was the Democratic presidential nominee in 1988. He lost the election to his Republican opponent, Vice President George H. W. Bush. Dukakis was serving his third term as governor of Massachusetts while he campaigned for the presidency. Before becoming governor, he had been elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives four times.
Early life.
Dukakis, the son of Greek immigrant parents, was born on Nov. 3, 1933, in Brookline, Massachusetts. He graduated from Swarthmore College in 1955. From 1955 to 1957, he served in the United States Army in Korea. Dukakis earned a law degree from Harvard Law School in 1960.
In 1963, Dukakis married Katharine (Kitty) Dickson. Their children are John, Mrs. Dukakis’s son from a previous marriage; Andrea; and Kara.
Political career.
In 1962, Dukakis was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives. He won reelection in 1964, 1966, and 1968. In 1970, he was nominated for lieutenant governor of Massachusetts, but the ticket was defeated.
Dukakis was elected governor of Massachusetts in 1974, defeating incumbent Francis W. Sargent. Under Dukakis, an estimated $500 million deficit in the state budget was eliminated. But many Massachusetts Democrats were dissatisfied that Dukakis had increased taxes and had cut spending on social programs. He lost the 1978 gubernatorial primary election to Edward J. King, who went on to victory in the general election.
Dukakis faced King again in the 1982 gubernatorial primary. He defeated King and then won the general election against Republican John W. Sears. Dukakis was reelected in 1986. During these terms as governor, Dukakis established a reputation as an effective manager and problem solver. He offered incentives to businesses that participated with the state government on such social programs as job training for welfare recipients. He also increased state tax revenues through stricter, more aggressive collection of taxes.
The 1988 Democratic National Convention nominated Dukakis for President and Senator Lloyd Bentsen of Texas for Vice President. Dukakis and Bentsen were defeated by Bush and his running mate, Senator Dan Quayle of Indiana.
Dukakis was criticized for his handling of state finances in the late 1980’s, at a time when Massachusetts was encountering severe financial difficulties. A decline in tax revenues and a sluggish state economy had led to large budget deficits. Dukakis did not seek reelection as governor in 1990.
Since leaving office,
Dukakis has been involved primarily in teaching. In 1991, he became a professor of political science at Boston’s Northeastern University. He also taught at a number of universities as a visiting professor. From 1998 to 2003, Dukakis served on the board of Amtrak, the U.S. passenger-train service.
See also Democratic Party; Bentsen, Lloyd M., Jr.
