SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KGTV) -- Former California Governor George Deukmejian has died at the age of 89.
A former chief of staff for the two-term governor said Deukmejian died of natural causes.
The republican spent three decades in state politics as an assemblyman, senator, state attorney general and California’s 35th governor, according to the Associated Press.
During his terms, Deukmejian expanded the state prison system, brought the left-leaning California Supreme Court to the center and supported anti-crime legislation.
He also earned the nickname “The Iron Duke” from his republican supporters in the Legislature for his resistance to spending increases and willingness to veto spending proposals.
