Michael Stanley Dukakis (born November 3, 1933, in Brookline, Massachusetts) is an American politician, lawyer, and educator of Greek descent. The son of Greek immigrants, he grew up in a working-class family and developed an early interest in public service. He earned a bachelor's degree from Swarthmore College (1955) and a law degree from Harvard Law School (1960), with service in the United States Army between 1955 and 1957. Dukakis entered politics in the early 1960s, serving in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1962 to 1970. He was elected Governor of Massachusetts as a Democrat in 1974, serving one term until 1979. After a comeback in 1982, he served again from 1983 to 1991, making him the longest-serving governor in the state's history. During his second tenure, he oversaw the 'Massachusetts Miracle,' an economic boom driven by high-tech industries. In 1988, Dukakis was the Democratic nominee for President of the United States, known for his moderate policies, and selected Texas Senator Lloyd Bentsen as his running mate, but lost decisively to incumbent Vice President George H. W. Bush; his campaign was notably affected by the 'Willie Horton' campaign ad controversy. Following the election, he returned to academia, teaching public policy at Northeastern University in Boston and later at UCLA. He co-founded the Michael Dukakis Institute for Leadership and Innovation at Northeastern University in 2012. Dukakis is married to Katharine 'Kitty' Dukakis, a mental health advocate, and they have three children. Throughout his career, he has advocated for progressive policies on education, healthcare, and environmental issues. Now in his late 80s, he continues to engage in discussions on democracy and innovation.