Pete Wilson's Two Campaigns for Governor: 1990 and 1994

Pete Wilson ran for California's governor successfully in 1990 and for reelection successfully in 1994. He had been mayor of San Diego and a U.S. Senator before assuming the governorship. In both gubernatorial elections he ran against women. His opponent in 1990 was Dianne Feinstein, former mayor of San Francisco and later U.S. Senator. The 1994 opponent was Kathleen Brown, sister of former governor of Jerry Brown and daughter of former governor Pat Brown. In the 1994 election, the issue of illegal immigrant became a major factor. Wilson endorsed Proposition 187 which would have denied most public services to illegal immigrants. Prop 187 passed but was largely voided by litigation.