Howard Dean

Howard Dean
Name	Howard Dean
Caption	Dean in 2004
Order	79th
Office	Governor of Vermont
Lieutenant	Barbara Snelling, Douglas A. Racine
Term start	August 14, 1991
Term end	January 8, 2003
Predecessor	Richard A. Snelling
Successor	Jim Douglas
Office2	Chair of the Democratic National Committee
Term start2	February 12, 2005
Term end2	January 21, 2009
Predecessor2	Terry McAuliffe
Successor2	Tim Kaine
Birth name	Howard Brush Dean III
Birth date	17 November 1948
Birth place	New York City, New York, U.S.
Party	Democratic
Spouse	Judith Steinberg, 1981
Education	Yale University (BA), Albert Einstein College of Medicine (MD)

Howard Dean is an American physician, author, and politician who served as the 79th Governor of Vermont from 1991 to 2003 and as chair of the Democratic National Committee from 2005 to 2009. He first gained national prominence as a front-runner for the Democratic nomination in the 2004 presidential election, a campaign noted for its innovative use of Internet fundraising and grassroots organizing. His political career has been defined by advocacy for progressive causes, including universal health care, and by his influential "50-state strategy" to rebuild the Democratic Party.

Early life and education

Howard Brush Dean III was born in New York City to a wealthy family with deep political roots; his father was a successful Wall Street investment banker. He spent much of his youth in East Hampton on Long Island and attended the prestigious St. George's School in Middletown. Dean then earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Yale University in 1971, where he was a classmate of future President George W. Bush. Following his undergraduate studies, he pursued a medical degree, graduating from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx in 1978.

Medical career

After completing his residency in internal medicine at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington, Dean entered private practice in 1981 with his wife, Judith Steinberg, who is also a physician. He was a practicing physician at the Burlington Health Center when he first became involved in local politics. His medical background profoundly shaped his political philosophy, leading him to become a staunch and early advocate for expanded healthcare access, which would become a cornerstone of his tenure as Governor of Vermont.

Political career

Dean's political career began in the Vermont House of Representatives, to which he was elected in 1982. He later served as Lieutenant Governor of Vermont under Governor Richard A. Snelling. Upon Snelling's sudden death in August 1991, Dean ascended to the governorship. He was subsequently elected to five two-year terms, becoming Vermont's longest-serving governor. His administration was marked by fiscal conservatism, including balancing the state budget, alongside progressive social policies. He signed Act 60, a landmark law reforming Vermont's education funding system, and established the Dr. Dynasaur program to provide health insurance for children.

2004 presidential campaign

Dean launched his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2003, positioning himself as an outspoken critic of the Iraq War and a champion of grassroots progressivism. His campaign revolutionized political fundraising by harnessing small donations through the Internet, a tactic later emulated by campaigns like Barack Obama's. After a strong start, his campaign faltered following a third-place finish in the Iowa caucuses. His concession speech, which featured an enthusiastic rallying cry that became known as the "Dean scream," was widely rebroadcast and is often cited as a pivotal moment in the campaign's decline. He withdrew from the race in February 2004 and later endorsed the eventual nominee, John Kerry.

Post-campaign political activity

Following the 2004 election, Dean was elected chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) in 2005. In this role, he implemented the contentious but ultimately successful "50-state strategy," which directed party resources to build Democratic infrastructure in all states, including traditionally Republican strongholds. This strategy is credited with contributing to Democratic gains in the 2006 midterm elections and 2008 presidential election. After leaving the DNC in 2009, he remained a political commentator, worked as a senior strategic advisor for the law firm Dentons, and continued to advocate for health care reform and progressive policies.

Personal life

Dean married physician Judith Steinberg in 1981; she has maintained a private life and continued her medical practice. The couple has two adult children and resides in Burlington. An avid outdoorsman, Dean enjoys fly fishing, cycling, and skiing. Since his national political career, he has authored books, including *Winning Back America*, and frequently appears as a political analyst on networks like MSNBC.

Category:1948 births Category:American physicians Category:Democratic Party governors of Vermont Category:Living people Category:Yale University alumni