# Patrick Lucey

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American politician (1918–2014)

For the Illinois Attorney General, see [Patrick J. Lucey (Illinois lawyer)](/source/Patrick_J._Lucey_(Illinois_lawyer)).

Patrick Lucey Lucey in 1971 United States Ambassador to Mexico In office July 19, 1977 – October 31, 1979 President Jimmy Carter Preceded by Joseph Jova Succeeded by Julian Nava 38th Governor of Wisconsin In office January 4, 1971 – July 6, 1977 Lieutenant Martin Schreiber Preceded by Warren Knowles Succeeded by Martin Schreiber 36th Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin In office January 4, 1965 – January 2, 1967 Governor Warren Knowles Preceded by Jack Olson Succeeded by Jack Olson Chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party In office 1957–1963 Preceded by Philleo Nash Succeeded by Louis Hanson Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from Crawford County In office 1949–1951 Preceded by Donald C. McDowell Succeeded by Rodney J. Satter Personal details Born Patrick Joseph Lucey (1918-03-21)March 21, 1918 La Crosse, Wisconsin, U.S. Died May 10, 2014(2014-05-10) (aged 96) Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. Party Democratic (before 1979; 1980–2014) Independent (1979–1980) Spouse Jean Vlasis ​ ​ (m. 1951; died 2011)​ Children 3 Education University of St. Thomas, Minnesota University of Wisconsin, Madison (BA)

**Patrick Joseph Lucey** (March 21, 1918 – May 10, 2014) was an American politician who served as the [United States Ambassador to Mexico](/source/United_States_Ambassador_to_Mexico) from 1977 to 1979.[1] A member of the [Democratic Party](/source/Democratic_Party_(United_States)), he previously served as the 38th [governor of Wisconsin](/source/Governor_of_Wisconsin) from 1971 to 1977. Lucey was also the running mate of independent presidential nominee [John B. Anderson](/source/John_B._Anderson) in the [1980 presidential election](/source/1980_United_States_presidential_election).

Born in [La Crosse, Wisconsin](/source/La_Crosse%2C_Wisconsin), Lucey served in state and local government offices after graduating from the [University of Wisconsin](/source/University_of_Wisconsin%E2%80%93Madison). He served in the [Quartermaster Corps](/source/Quartermaster_Corps_(United_States_Army)) of the [United States Army](/source/United_States_Army) during [World War II](/source/World_War_II). He held the position of [Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin](/source/Lieutenant_Governor_of_Wisconsin) from 1965 to 1967 and unsuccessfully challenged Governor [Warren P. Knowles](/source/Warren_P._Knowles) in the [1966 gubernatorial election](/source/1966_Wisconsin_gubernatorial_election).

Lucey was elected governor of Wisconsin in the [1970 gubernatorial election](/source/1970_Wisconsin_gubernatorial_election) and was reelected [in 1974](/source/1974_Wisconsin_gubernatorial_election). He resigned as governor in 1977, when he accepted President [Jimmy Carter](/source/Jimmy_Carter)'s appointment to the position of [United States Ambassador to Mexico](/source/United_States_Ambassador_to_Mexico). As governor, Lucey presided over the merger of the Wisconsin State University system and the [University of Wisconsin System](/source/University_of_Wisconsin_System). In 1980, he agreed to serve as the [running mate](/source/Running_mate) to John B. Anderson, a former [Republican](/source/Republican_Party_(United_States)) congressman running an independent campaign. The ticket of Anderson and Lucey won 6.6% of the popular vote in the 1980 election, which saw Carter unseated by Republican nominee [Ronald Reagan](/source/Ronald_Reagan).

## Early life and education

Lucey was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, on March 21, 1918, the son of Ella (McNamara) and Gregory Lucey.[2] He grew up in the village of [Ferryville, Wisconsin](/source/Ferryville%2C_Wisconsin), and graduated from [Campion High School](/source/Campion_High_School) in nearby [Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin](/source/Prairie_du_Chien%2C_Wisconsin), in 1935.[3] He later attended [St. Thomas College](/source/University_of_St._Thomas_(Minnesota)) in [Saint Paul, Minnesota](/source/Saint_Paul%2C_Minnesota). During [World War II](/source/World_War_II) Lucey was [drafted](/source/Conscription_in_the_United_States) and served in the [United States Army Quartermaster Corps](/source/Quartermaster_Corps_(United_States_Army)) in the [Caribbean](/source/Caribbean) until he was discharged with the rank of captain in 1945.[4] After the war, Lucey graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1946 with a B.A. in philosophy.[5]

## Political career

Lucey with President [John F. Kennedy](/source/John_F._Kennedy) in 1961

Lucey served as justice of the peace in [Ferryville, Wisconsin](/source/Ferryville%2C_Wisconsin), in 1946. He also served on the De Soto School Board and was board treasurer in 1946.[6] Lucey served in the [Wisconsin State Assembly](/source/Wisconsin_State_Assembly) from 1949 to 1951.[7][8] From 1957 to 1963 he served as state chairman of the Democratic Party.[5] Lucey was a Wisconsin campaign aide of [John F. Kennedy](/source/John_F._Kennedy) in his presidential run in 1960.[9]

In 1964, Lucey was elected [Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin](/source/Lieutenant_Governor_of_Wisconsin) and served one term from 1965 to 1967. At this time the governor and lieutenant governor of Wisconsin were elected on separate tickets, and voters chose Lucey, a Democrat, as lieutenant governor while simultaneously electing Republican [Warren P. Knowles](/source/Warren_P._Knowles) as governor[10] (An amendment to the [Wisconsin Constitution](/source/Wisconsin_Constitution) in 1967 combined elections for governor and lieutenant governor onto a single ticket).[11]

Lucey ran as the Democratic candidate for governor of Wisconsin in 1966 but failed to unseat incumbent Warren Knowles. He was initially a supporter of Senator [Robert F. Kennedy](/source/Robert_F._Kennedy) in his 1968 presidential bid, but began working for Senator [Eugene McCarthy](/source/Eugene_McCarthy)'s presidential campaign following Kennedy's assassination. He was the acting director of the McCarthy campaign at the [1968 Democratic National Convention](/source/1968_Democratic_National_Convention).[12] In 1970, Lucey campaigned again for governor and was elected with 54 percent of the vote. Lucey was the first Wisconsin governor elected to a four-year term after a 1967 amendment to the state constitution extended terms from two years to four. He took office on January 4, 1971. Lucey ran successfully for a second term as governor in 1974, and served until his resignation on July 6, 1977, to accept a nomination as [United States Ambassador to Mexico](/source/United_States_Ambassador_to_Mexico).[10]

## University of Wisconsin System merger

One of Lucey's executive initiatives was to revive an idea to merge the state's two university systems, the Wisconsin State University (WSU) system and the University of Wisconsin System, with campuses at Madison, Milwaukee, Green Bay, and Parkside (Racine–Kenosha), as well as the [University of Wisconsin–Extension](/source/University_of_Wisconsin%E2%80%93Extension). The idea was suggested in the 1940s and 1950s by Governors [Oscar Rennebohm](/source/Oscar_Rennebohm) and [Walter J. Kohler, Jr.](/source/Walter_J._Kohler%2C_Jr.)[13]

In 1971, Lucey raised the issue again, saying a merger would contain the growing costs of two systems; give order to the increasing higher education demands of the state; control program duplication; and provide for a united voice and single UW budget. Madison faculty and administrators by and large opposed the merger, fearing it would diminish the great state university. Most WSU faculty and administrators favored the merger, believing it would add prestige to their institutions and level the playing field for state funding.

Merger legislation easily passed the Democratic-controlled Assembly. After much maneuvering and lobbying, it was approved by a one-vote margin in the Republican-controlled Senate. It took until 1974 for implementation legislation to be finalized. "I had to be pretty heavy-handed – no merger, no budget", said Lucey in an interview following his term in office.

## Other gubernatorial accomplishments

Lucey also recommended additional funding for tourism, which spurred development throughout the state. Two examples were the expansion of the [Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources](/source/Wisconsin_Department_of_Natural_Resources) park system and the Mt. Telemark Resort in [Cable, Wisconsin](/source/Cable%2C_Wisconsin). Since 1974, Cable and Mt. Telemark host the American [Birkebeiner](/source/Birkebeiner) each year, the largest cross-country ski race in North America. He appointed a number of task forces to address minority concerns, including the Governor's Investigating Committee on Problems of Wisconsin's Spanish Speaking Communities, which identified the lack of programs to address the Mexican American and Puerto Ricans' lack of access to education, health, housing, and work across the state. At a time when there were over 30,000 Mexican Americans living in Wisconsin, with half living in Milwaukee, less than 10 Mexican Americans were enrolled at [UW-Milwaukee](/source/University_of_Wisconsin%E2%80%93Milwaukee).

## 1980 vice presidential campaign

Lucey in 1980

The John Anderson–Patrick Lucey presidential ticket received 5,719,437 votes for 6.6 percent of the total vote in the [1980 presidential election](/source/U.S._presidential_election%2C_1980), despite a 25% showing in early polls by Anderson and a spirited televised debate between Anderson and [Ronald Reagan](/source/Ronald_Reagan).

## 2011 Wisconsin Supreme Court election

In 2011, Lucey, although a Democrat, acted as [David Prosser](/source/David_Prosser_Jr.)'s campaign co-chairman. On March 31, 2011, he resigned from Prosser's campaign and endorsed [JoAnne Kloppenburg](/source/JoAnne_Kloppenburg), attributing his decision to Prosser's "disturbing distemper and lack of civility", while praising Kloppenburg for "[adhering] throughout the campaign to even-handedness and non-partisanship and [exhibiting] both promising judicial temperament and good grace, even in the heat of a fierce campaign."[14]

## Death

Lucey died on May 10, 2014, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at the age of 96.[15]

## Legacy

In September 2009, Lucey was honored with a Wisconsin Historical Society marker in Ferryville.[16] In October 2013, [Wisconsin Highway 35](/source/Wisconsin_Highway_35) between Ferryville and Prairie du Chien was renamed the "Governor Patrick Lucey Highway" in his honor.[17] Lucey also had a biography written about his time in politics.[18]

## Electoral history

### Wisconsin Assembly (1948)

### Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor (1964)

### Wisconsin Governor (1966)

### Wisconsin Governor (1970, 1974)

### U.S. President (1980)

Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality 1980 General Nov. 4 Ronald Reagan George H. W. Bush Republican 43,903,230 50.75% 489 Jimmy Carter Walter Mondale Dem. 35,481,115 41.01% 49 86,509,678 8,422,115 John B. Anderson Patrick Lucey Ind. 5,719,850 6.61% 0 Ed Clark David Koch Lib. 921,128 1.06% 0 Barry Commoner LaDonna Harris Cit. 233,052 0.27% 0 Gus Hall Angela Davis Com. 44,933 0.05% 0 John Rarick Eileen Shearer Amer. 40,906 0.05% 0 Clifton DeBerry Matilde Zimmermann Soc. 38,738 0.04% 0 Ellen McCormack Carroll Driscoll Life. 32,320 0.04% 0 Maureen Smith Elizabeth Cervantes Barron Pea. 18,116 0.02% 0

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Lucey, Patrick J. 1918"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110611143020/http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/dictionary/index.asp?action=view&term_id=1959&search_term=lucey). Archived from [the original](http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/dictionary/index.asp?action=view&term_id=1959&search_term=lucey) on June 11, 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Herman, Jennifer (January 2008). [*Wisconsin Encyclopedia*](https://books.google.com/books?id=iCEl1sqlZLQC&q=Gregory+Ella+Lucey&pg=PA234). State History Publications. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781878592613](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781878592613).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Campion Graduate Notables"](https://campion-knights.org/Notables/). *campion-knights.org*. Retrieved July 7, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Richard D. Lyons (August 26, 1980). "Anderson's Running Mate: Patrick Joseph Lucey". *[New York Times](/source/New_York_Times)*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-dictionary_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-dictionary_5-1) ["Lucey, Patrick J. 1918"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140512222244/http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/dictionary/index.asp?action=view&term_id=1959). *Dictionary of Wisconsin History*. Wisconsin Historical Society. Archived from [the original](http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/dictionary/index.asp?action=view&term_id=1959) on May 12, 2014. Retrieved April 21, 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** *Wisconsin Blue Book 1966*. Biographical Sketch of Patrick J. Lucey, p. 4.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["The Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians: Luce-aoelua to Ludlam"](http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/lucero-ludlam.html).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Members of the Legislature"](https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1948/reference/wi.wibluebk1948.i0011.pdf) (PDF). *wisc.edu*. Retrieved July 7, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["United States Ambassador to Mexico - Nomination of Patrick J. Lucey"](https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/united-states-ambassador-mexico-nomination-patrick-j-lucey). *The American Presidency Project*. Retrieved July 7, 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-bluebook_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-bluebook_10-1) *State of Wisconsin 2011-2012 Blue Book*. Madison, Wis: Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. 2011. pp. 708–709. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-9752820-1-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-9752820-1-4).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** *State of Wisconsin 2011-2012 Blue Book*. Madison, Wis.: Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. 2011. pp. 189, 220. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-9752820-1-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-9752820-1-4).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** McCarthy, Abigail. *Private Faces/Public Places*. p. 423.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Wisconsin Ideas Fall 2001 - Reaching a Milestone"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090829110420/http://www.wisconsin.edu/wisconsinideas/archive/2001fall/coverstory.htm). Archived from [the original](http://www.wisconsin.edu/wisconsinideas/archive/2001fall/coverstory.htm) on August 29, 2009. Retrieved September 5, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Former Gov. Lucey Leaves Prosser's Campaign, Endorses Kloppenburg – Madison News Story – WISC Madison"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110404202017/http://www.channel3000.com/news/27392391/detail.html). Channel3000.com. Archived from [the original](http://www.channel3000.com/news/27392391/detail.html) on April 4, 2011. Retrieved April 4, 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Former Wisconsin Governor Lucey Dies at 96"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140512000300/http://www.abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/wisconsin-governor-lucey-dies-96-23674113). *ABC*. Archived from [the original](http://www.abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/wisconsin-governor-lucey-dies-96-23674113) on May 12, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** 'Ferryville honors famous son former Gov. Lucey,' *La Crosse Tribune,* Richard Mial, September 29, 2009

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** '"Every time I come, they put up a sign" Hwy. 35 renamed in honor of former Gov. Lucey,' *La Crosse Tribune,* October 3, 2013, Chris Hubbuch, pg. A1, A5

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Patrick J. Lucey - A Lasting Legacy"](https://shop.wisconsinhistory.org/patrick-j-lucey). *Wisconsin Historical Society Store*. Retrieved July 7, 2023.

## External links

- [Appearances](https://www.c-span.org/person/?1018536) on [C-SPAN](/source/C-SPAN)

Party political offices Preceded by David Carley Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin 1964 Succeeded by Martin J. Schreiber Preceded by John Reynolds Democratic nominee for Governor of Wisconsin 1966 Succeeded by Bronson La Follette Preceded by Bronson La Follette Democratic nominee for Governor of Wisconsin 1970, 1974 Succeeded by Martin Schreiber Preceded by Reubin Askew Chair of the Democratic Governors Association 1977 Succeeded by Jim Hunt Political offices Preceded by Jack Olson Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin 1965–1967 Succeeded by Jack Olson Preceded by Warren Knowles Governor of Wisconsin 1971–1977 Succeeded by Martin Schreiber Diplomatic posts Preceded by Joseph Jova United States Ambassador to Mexico 1977–1979 Succeeded by Julian Nava

v t e Governors of Wisconsin Territory (1836–1848) Dodge Doty Tallmadge Dodge Catlin (acting) Privy Seal of Wisconsin State (since 1848) Dewey Farwell Barstow MacArthur Bashford Randall Harvey Salomon Lewis Fairchild Washburn Taylor Ludington Smith Rusk Hoard Peck Upham Scofield R. La Follette Davidson McGovern Philipp Blaine Zimmerman Kohler Sr. P. La Follette Schmedeman P. La Follette Heil (Loomis) * Goodland Rennebohm Kohler Jr. Thomson Nelson Reynolds Knowles Lucey Schreiber Dreyfus Earl Thompson McCallum Doyle Walker Evers (*) elected but died before taking office

v t e Lieutenant governors of Wisconsin Holmes Beall Burns Lewis MacArthur Campbell Noble Salomon Spooner Pound Pettit Parker Bingham Fifield Ryland Jonas Baensch Stone Davidson Connor Strange Morris Dithmar Comings Huber O'Malley Gunderson Ekern Goodland Rennebohm Smith Knowles Nash Knowles J. Olson Lucey J. Olson Schreiber R. Olson Flynn McCallum Farrow Lawton Kleefisch Barnes Rodriguez

v t e (← 1976) 1980 United States presidential election (1984 →) Republican Party Convention Primaries results Candidates Nominee: Ronald Reagan campaign positions VP nominee: George H. W. Bush Other candidates John B. Anderson Howard Baker George H. W. Bush (campaign) John Connally Phil Crane Bob Dole Ben Fernandez Harold Stassen Democratic Party Convention Primaries results Candidates Incumbent nominee: Jimmy Carter campaign Incumbent VP nominee: Walter Mondale Other candidates: Jerry Brown Ted Kennedy campaign speech Ron Dellums Independent Candidate John B. Anderson Running mate Patrick Lucey Other independent and third-party candidates Libertarian Party Nominee Ed Clark VP nominee David Koch Citizens Party Nominee Barry Commoner VP nominee LaDonna Harris Communist Party Nominee Gus Hall VP nominee Angela Davis Peace and Freedom Party Nominee: Maureen Smith VP Nominee: Elizabeth Cervantes Barron Prohibition Party Nominee Ben Bubar VP nominee Earl Dodge Socialist Party Nominee David McReynolds VP nominee Diane Drufenbrock Socialist Workers Party Nominee Andrew Pulley Alternate nominees Richard Congress Clifton DeBerry Workers World Party Nominee Deirdre Griswold VP nominee Gavrielle Holmes Independents and other candidates Lyndon LaRouche Warren Spannaus Other 1980 elections House Senate Gubernatorial

v t e United States ambassadors to Mexico Minister Shaler Robinson Wilkinson Poinsett Butler Slacum Ellis Greenhow Ellis Lawrence W. Thompson Beach G. Thompson Shannon Slidell Conner Clifford Letcher Greenhow Goss Slacum Smith Conkling Cooper Ward Gadsden Spofford Forsyth Churchwell Mordecai Green Porter McLane De la Reintrie Weller Corwin Shufelt Campbell Otterbourg Rosecrans Nelson Foster Morgan Jackson Manning Bragg Ryan Gray Ransom Clayton Ambassador Clayton Conger Thompson Wilson Fletcher Warren Sheffield Morrow Clark Daniels Messersmith Thurston O'Dwyer White Hill Mann Freeman McBride Jova Lucey Nava Gavin Pilliod Negroponte Jones Davidow Garza Pascual Wayne Jacobson Landau Salazar Johnson

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND FAST WorldCat National United States Other NARA Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Patrick Lucey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Lucey) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Lucey?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.