Wisconsin's Governors Patrick Lucey, Wisconsin's 38th governor, was born in La Crosse on March 21, 1918. He attended St. Thomas College and managed his father's grocery store. He joined the army during World War II and reached the rank of Captain. After the war, Lucey managed 14 farms in southwestern Wisconsin and attended the University of Wisconsin. He entered politics in 1948 when elected to the Assembly. Lucey was elected governor in 1970, becoming the first governor elected to a four-year term. He was re-elected in 1974 and served until July 1977 when he resigned to become U.S. ambassador to Mexico. Lucey was the vice-president candidate with John Anderson during the 1980 presidential election.