Background
Nelson grew up in Clear Lake, and was educated in the Clear Lake public schools. In 1939, he graduated from what is now San Jose State University in San Jose, California. In 1942, he received his J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School in Madison, was admitted to the bar and practiced law. He also served in the United States Army, seeing action in the Okinawa campaign during World War II. In 1948, he was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate, serving until 1958, when he was elected governor. He ran for the U.S. Senate in 1962, defeating long-time incumbent Senator Alexander Wiley. He was re-elected in 1968 and 1974, but was unseated by GOP candidate Bob Kasten in 1980.
Read more about this topic: Gaylord Nelson
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