Governor Michael Dukakis | Season 1 Episode 9

Governor Michael Dukakis talks about his Experiences Running for President, Strategies to Create Positive Movements, and the Benefits of Building the North South Rail Link

Governor Michael Dukakis served as the 65th governor of Massachusetts (from 1975 to 1979 and again from 1983 to 1991) and was the Democratic nominee for the President of the United States in the 1988 election.

He is the longest-serving governor in Massachusetts history and only the second Greek-American governor in U.S. history. Born in Brookline, Massachusetts to Greek and Aromanian Greek immigrants, Dukakis attended Swarthmore College before enlisting in the United States Army. After graduating from Harvard Law School, he won election to the Massachusetts House of Representatives, serving from 1963 to 1971. He defeated Edward J. King in the 1982 gubernatorial primary and served as governor from 1983 to 1991, presiding over a period of economic growth known as the "Massachusetts Miracle".

Building on his popularity as governor, Dukakis sought the Democratic presidential nomination for the 1988 presidential election. He prevailed in the Democratic primaries and was formally nominated at the 1988 Democratic National Convention. Dukakis chose Senator Lloyd Bentsen of Texas as his running mate. Although Dukakis lost the election to George W. Bush, his commitment to the community hasn't changed as he served on the board of directors for Amtrak and has taught political science at Northeastern University and UCLA.