LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Ronald Reagan: Southern California
built 654 days ago
With oratorical skill as his trademark, Reagan became an active Republican. In 1966, at the behest of a small group of conservative businessmen, he ran for governor of California with a pledge to cut spending; he was elected by almost a million votes over the political veteran, Democratic governor Edmund G. Brown. Reelected to a second term, he served as governor until 1975.
Source:
Reagan made the leap to national politics when he won the Republican Presidential nomination in 1980. Capitalizing on inflation fears and frustration about the year-long captivity of American hostages in Iran, Reagan – along with running mate and future president George Bush – swept to victory against Southern Democrat Jimmy Carter.
Source:
In 1938, Reagan co-starred in the film Brother Rat with actress Jane Wyman (1917–2007). They were engaged at the Chicago Theatre,[28] and married on January 26, 1940, at the Wee Kirk o' the Heather church in Glendale, California.[29] Together they had two children, Maureen (1941–2001) and Christine (born and died June 26, 1947), and adopted a third, Michael (born 1945).[30] Reagan and Wyman divorced on June 28, 1948 (finalized in 1949)[31] following arguments about Reagan's political ambitions,[14] making him the only U.S. president to have been divorced.[32]
Source:
Reagan eventually served as SAG president, and during his tenure, he became active in politics. The Republican Party was impressed by his political views and charisma, and Reagan, who had not held public office before, was elected governor of California in 1966 with their backing. Reagan was the only California governor to become president of the United States.
Source:
Reagan served as Governor of California until 1975 when he made an unsuccessful run for the presidency. Many TV shows treated his candidacy as a joke - but he won the role four years later, serving as POTUS from 1980-1988.
Source:
Reagan's great fame as an actor propelled him quickly up through the Republican Party ranks. He raised huge sums of money in support of Barry Goldwater's presidential campaign, and in 1966, decided to run for governor of California.
Source:
MORE ABOUT
Southern California