Leo T. McCarthy
Leo T. McCarthy | |
|---|---|
| File:Leo McCarthy.jpg | |
| 43rd Lt. Governor of California | |
| In office 1983–1995 | |
| Governor | George Deukmejian (1982-1990), Pete Wilson (1991-1999) |
| Preceded by | Michael Curb |
| Succeeded by | Gray Davis |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 15, 1930 Auckland, New Zealand |
| Died | February 5 2007 |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Jacqueline Lee Burke |
| Profession | politician, lawyer |
Leo Tarcissus McCarthy (August 15 1930 - February 5 2007) was a New Zealand-born American politician and businessman. He served as the Democratic Lieutenant Governor of California from 1983 to 1995.
McCarthy was born in Auckland, but moved with his parents to San Francisco, California at the age of four. He went to elementary school at Mission Dolores. He then went to high school at St. Ignatius College Preparatory in San Francisco, and also attended college and law school within the city, receiving his B.A. in history from the University of San Francisco and a law degree from San Francisco Law School.
McCarthy served in the United States Air Force from 1951-1952 during the Korean War. He entered politics in 1963 when he was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. He served there until 1967. In 1968, he was elected to the State Assembly, serving as Speaker of the Assembly from 1974 to 1980.
McCarthy was elected Lieutenant Governor in 1982, at the same time that Republican George Deukmejian was elected Governor. In 1986, McCarthy and Deukmejian each won a second term in their respective offices.
In 1988, McCarthy ran unsuccessfully for the United States Senate against the Republican incumbent, Pete Wilson. He won a third term as Lieutenant Governor in 1990, with Wilson winning the election for Governor.
In 1992, McCarthy entered the Democratic primary election for the U.S. Senate, but lost the nomination to Congresswoman (now Senator) Barbara Boxer. McCarthy continued as Lieutenant Governor until 1995. Upon leaving politics, he created an investment company, The Daniel Group, located in San Francisco.
He helped found the Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good at the University of San Francisco.
McCarthy was married on December 17 1955 to the former Jacqueline Lee Burke. They had four children: Sharon, Conna, Adam and Niall. After a long illness, McCarthy died from a kidney ailment at his home in San Francisco on February 5 2007.[1]
Sources
References
External links
- 1930 births
- 2007 deaths
- Lieutenant Governors of California
- Speakers of the California State Assembly
- Irish-American politicians
- University of San Francisco alumni
- American Roman Catholics
- Naturalized citizens of the United States
- New Zealand-Americans
- People from San Francisco, California
- Deaths from renal failure
- Burials at Holy Cross Cemetery (Colma)