Jerry Brown 39th Governor of California Date of Birth: 07.04.1938 Country: USA

Biography of Jerry Brown

Jerry Brown, the 39th Governor of California, served as the state's governor from 1975 to 1983 and again from January 3, 2011, when he succeeded Arnold Schwarzenegger. Before becoming governor, Brown served as the Attorney General of California from 2007 to 2010. He is the son of Pat Brown, the 32nd Governor of California (1959–1967), who was known as the "Architect of the Golden State" and the "Favorite Son of California," but lost the 1966 election to Ronald Reagan.

Early Career
Jerry Brown's political career began in 1970 when he was elected as the Secretary of State of California, a position that combined the roles of archivist and head of the electoral commission. Prior to this, Brown had studied to become a Catholic priest, spending three years in a Jesuit seminary. However, he later attended the University of California, Berkeley, and Yale University, where he completed his education.

Political Career
Jerry Brown's long political career includes various public and state positions. He served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles City College from 1969 to 1971, Secretary of State of California from 1971 to 1975, Governor of California from 1975 to 1983, Chairman of the California Democratic Party from 1989 to 1991, Mayor of Oakland from 1999 to 2007, and Attorney General of California from 2007 to 2010.

Governorship
During his first two terms as governor (1975–1983), Brown combined fiscal conservatism in the economy with progressivism in social issues. He advocated for the abolition of the death penalty, the implementation of solar energy, environmental protection, and LGBT rights. Unlike his predecessors, he was not afraid to appoint women and individuals from Latino and Asian communities to positions of power.

Personal Life and Influence
Jerry Brown's lifestyle and his interest in New Age and Zen Buddhism, particularly the promotion of Buddhist economics, set him apart from the traditional image of a politician. Linda Ronstadt, a country rock singer whom Brown was dating at the time, jokingly referred to him as "Moonbeam," and this nickname, coined by columnist Mike Royko, became associated with the governor. The California punk band Dead Kennedys parodied Governor Jerry Brown's inclinations as a "Zen fascist" in their first single "California Über Alles."

Despite several attempts, Jerry Brown failed to secure the nomination for President of the United States from the Democratic Party in 1976, 1980, and 1992. He also faced defeat as a candidate for the U.S. Senate in the 1982 elections. Following this loss, he traveled to Japan to study Zen under the guidance of teacher Yamada Koun and visited Mother Teresa's hospice in Kolkata. He returned to the United States in 1988 to lead the California Democratic Party.

Later Career
In 2010, Jerry Brown ran for governor again and won the gubernatorial election, defeating his Republican opponent Meg Whitman. After stepping down as governor, Kamala Harris took over the position of Attorney General. In November 2014, Brown was re-elected for a second term. The term limit law for California governors, passed in 1990, did not restrict Brown from being elected governor for two additional terms.