Pete Wilson

Photos | Vote Smart | Feb. 22, 1999 letter to supporters

Announced he would not make a 2000 presidential bid on February 22, 1999. The Los Angeles Times' George Skelton reported Wilson's decision in his "Capitol Journal" column. Wilson also faxed out a letter to a hundred or so of his closest supporters and mailed the letter out to several thousand other backers.

PROFILE

**Pete Wilson, Republican, of Century City, California**.
Current	In late 1998 Wilson formed the Bear Flag Forum, a nonprofit foundation that he will use to address public policy issues. Appointed distinguished visiting fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution effective February 22, 1999. Plans to establish a political action committee.
Career	Served as governor of California for two terms, leaving office on January 4, 1999. In 1995 ran a short-lived campaign for the 1996 Republican presidential nomination. Elected governor of California in 1990, defeating Tom Bradley; re-elected governor in 1994, defeating Kathleen Brown 55.2%-46.0%. U.S. Senator, 1983-90. (Elected in 1982 and re-elected in 1988). Mayor of San Diego, 1971-82. Elected to the California Assembly in 1966 and served two terms (1967-71). Attorney, 1963-66.
Military	Three years as a Marine Corps infantry officer, 1955-58.
Education	Yale University (on an ROTC scholarship), B.A. in English Literature, 1955; University of California at Berkeley's Boalt Hall, J.D., 1962.
Family	Wife Gayle.
Religion	Presbyterian.
Age	65 years old. Born August 23, 1933 in Lake Forest, Illinois; raised in St. Louis, Missouri.