Geraldo José Rodrigues Alckmin (born in Pindamonhangaba, São Paulo, November 7 1952) is a Brazilian politican. He attended the Universidade de Taubaté 's medical school, specializing in Anesthesiology, before going on to work in the São Paulo Public Service Hospital.

Political Career

While still in his first year of medical school, Alckmin began his political career in 1972 when he was elected to the São Paulo city council (1973-1977), and then its municipal prefect (1977-1982). At age 25, he was the youngest Brazilian city prefect. He was elected a state deputy for two terms, (1983-1987 and 1987-1994), distinguishing himself by authoring consumer protection laws. In 1988, he was one of the two founders of the Democratic Socialist Party of Brazil.

He was elected vice governor of São Paulo, Mário Covas 's running-mate first in the 1994 election and then again in 1998. With the death of Covas, he assumed the governorship of the state of São Paulo in March, 2001, continued Covas' policies, investing in large, state-run projects. He himself was elected governor on Octover 27 , 2002 for the 2003-2006 term, with 12 million votes (or 58.64%). Currently, he is often mentioned as a candidate for the Brazilian Presidency of the Brazilian Democratic Socialist Party.

He is married to Maria Lúcia Ribeiro Alckmin and is the father of thee children.

References

• -- the Portuguese Wikipedia article.
• [http://www.saopaulo.sp.gov.br/perfil/ Short biography

on the São Paulo state governor's office's website] (in Portuguese)