Wilson, Pete (1933-…), gained national attention in the United States during the 1990’s as governor of California. A Republican, Wilson supported welfare reform and tough measures against crime and illegal immigration. He also opposed affirmative action programs, under which employers give preference to minority workers. Wilson first won election as governor in 1990. He took office in 1991 and won reelection in 1994. Before Wilson became governor, he had been a United States senator since 1983.
Wilson was born in Lake Forest, Illinois. His full name is Peter Barton Wilson. Wilson earned a B.A. degree from Yale University in 1955 and served in the United States Marine Corps from 1955 to 1958. In 1962, Wilson earned a law degree from the University of California at Berkeley. Wilson served in the California Assembly from 1966 to 1971. From 1971 to 1983, he was mayor of San Diego. Wilson ran unsuccessfully for governor of California in 1978.
