As our state’s 44th chief executive, Governor Jim Doyle is focused on creating opportunity for all of Wisconsin’s people.  To do that, he is working to strengthen our schools, make college more affordable, expand access to health care, grow our economy and cut taxes on hardworking Wisconsin families. 

When he took office in 2003, Governor Doyle inherited the largest budget deficit in Wisconsin history – a $3.2 billion hole.  By making deep and often difficult cuts in state government, he was able to balance the budget without hurting priorities like education and without raising taxes. 

Now Governor Doyle is working to move Wisconsin forward – creating jobs, expanding access to health care, and most importantly, investing in Wisconsin’s future: our kids.

Creating Opportunity Through Education

As the son and husband of teachers, Governor Doyle understands the power of education to provide opportunity and improve our lives.  Despite inheriting huge deficits, Governor Doyle has always made protecting and strengthening our schools his number one priority.

Governor Doyle is working to reduce class sizes in the early grades and expand four year old kindergarten throughout the state.  He is fighting for reforms in the school funding formula to make it fairer and more flexible.  To make sure our kids are prepared for the jobs of tomorrow, Governor Doyle wants to raise standards by making a third year of math and a third year of science mandatory for high school graduation.

Governor Doyle also believes that higher education should be affordable and available to everyone.  He has allowed families to deduct more of their college expenses, and is on pace to triple financial aid since the day he took office. 

Governor Doyle has also launched the Wisconsin Covenant, a partnership between the state, our public and private higher education institutions, and our students.  Under the Wisconsin Covenant, every eighth grade students who agrees to stay in school, maintain a B average and be a good citizen will be guaranteed a spot in college and a financial aid package that meets their family’s needs.  It will make high school more meaningful, and it will make the dream of college a reality for any student willing to work hard. 

Making Health Care More Affordable

Governor Doyle is working to make health care more affordable and available to all Wisconsin citizens. 

As a first step, Governor Doyle is working to make all health care premiums tax free.  He has fought to save and expand SeniorCare – Wisconsin’s model prescription drug program – and is a leading national advocate for allowing citizens to buy safe, affordable prescription drugs from Canada.  He is also expanding Family Care statewide, so that seniors and people with disabilities can get care in their own homes and communities instead of being forced into nursing homes. 

Governor Doyle has proposed an innovative effort to expand health care coverage to virtually all of our citizens, including a plan to offer coverage to every child in Wisconsin.  By expanding Wisconsin’s BadgerCare program, allowing families to purchase low-cost insurance for their kids, and through other reforms, Governor Doyle’s plan will make affordable health insurance available to 98 percent of our citizens … more than any other state in the nation.

Creating Jobs and Building an “Opportunity Economy” for Our Citizens

Governor Doyle has made job creation a priority since day one of his administration, based on his bedrock belief that “there is no social program better than a good-paying job.”

Governor Doyle’s strategy focuses on moving every sector of Wisconsin’s economy toward the “high end” – whether it is agriculture, tourism, technology, or manufacturing.  He has provided tax cuts and tax credits that encourage business development, expanded worker training, slashed burdensome red tape and implemented the most sweeping regulatory reform in the Midwest.  Through investments in technology, stem cell research, and renewable energy, Governor Doyle is working to attract new industries and new jobs to our state.

As a result, Wisconsin has seen steady job growth since Governor Doyle took office, with tens of thousands of new jobs.

Personal history

Born on November 23, 1945, to James E. Doyle Sr. and Ruth Bachhuber Doyle, Governor Doyle and his three sisters grew up in Madison. Governor Doyle is married to Jessica Laird Doyle and they have two adult sons, Gus and Gabe.
Governor Doyle’s parents were founding members of the modern Democratic Party in Wisconsin and he credits them for instilling in him the belief that politics and government are honorable professions, and that public service is a way to improve people’s lives.

Governor Doyle attended Stanford University for three years, then finished his senior year at UW-Madison. He is a 1972 graduate of Harvard Law School.
Inspired by John F. Kennedy’s call to public service, after college the Governor and First Lady worked for two years as teachers in Tunisia, Africa in the Peace Corps. After he graduated from law school, the Governor and First Lady moved to the Navajo Indian Reservation in Chinle, Arizona to work as an attorney and teacher, respectively.

In 1976, Governor Doyle was elected Dane County District Attorney and served three terms from 1977-82. When he left that office, he spent eight years building his own private law practice until he was elected Wisconsin Attorney General in 1990. Governor Doyle was reelected as Attorney General in 1994 and 1998.

He was elected as Wisconsin’s Governor in 2002 and reelected in 2006 with more votes than any candidate for Governor in Wisconsin history.