Michael John Sullivan, 29th Governor of Wyoming, was born on September 22, 1939, in Omaha, Nebraska. His parents, Joseph B. and Margaret (Hamilton) Sullivan, were both Wyoming natives.

Sullivan was reared in Douglas, Wyoming, where he graduated from Converse County High School as salutatorian in the class of 1957. He then attended the University of Wyoming from 1957 to 1961 where he earned a degree in petroleum engineering. He entered the University of Wyoming College of Law, graduating with a law degree in 1964. After admission to the state bar that year, he joined a Casper law firm and continued to practice there until 1986.

On February 2, 1961, Sullivan married Jane Metzler of Riverton in ceremonies in Powell. They made their home in Casper.

Sullivan never had sought elective office when, in 1986, he ran for and won the Democratic nomination for governor. Many observers believed that, following three terms with a Democratic governor, the chances for another Democrat to gain that post would be remote. Nonetheless, after a hard-fought campaign, Sullivan defeated Republican nominee Peter K. Simpson.

When Sullivan took office as 29th governor in 1987, the economy of Wyoming had entered a prolonged bust cycle. Sullivan’s first term was marked by successful efforts to reorganize state government agencies and manage state finances in hard economic times. Sullivan won re-election in 1990, defeating Republican nominee Mary Mead in the general election.

In 1994, Sullivan won the Democratic nomination for the United States Senate, but he lost in the general election to Republican Craig Thomas. Following that election, Sullivan returned to law practice in Casper, although he remained active in public life. In 1998, President Bill Clinton appointed him U. S. Ambassador to Ireland and the U. S. Senate confirmed his nomination later that year. He served in the Dublin post until 2001. Once again, he returned to law practice in Casper.

The Sullivans are parents of three children: Michelle Kuehl, Laramie; Patrick Sullivan, Casper; and Theresa Twiford, Cheyenne.

The Mike Sullivan Collection

The records of Governor Sullivan's term of office include:

Administrative Records:

•  Administration and Fiscal Control
• Aeronautics
  
•  Agriculture
• Appointments3
• Arts Council
  
• Attorney General
• Capitol Building Commission
• Capitol for the Day
  
• Charities and Reform
• Commerce Department
• Corrections
  
• County
• Crime
• Economic Development and Stabilization
• Economic Planning and Development
  
• Education
• Employment
• Energy
• Energy Conservation
• Engineers
• Environmental
  
• Examiner
• Federal Legislation
  
• Flag Request
• Game & Fish
• Governor's Committees
• Governor's Conferences
• Governor's Correspondence
  
• Health
• Highway
• Industrial Siting
• Insurance
  
• Interstate Agreements
• Invitations
• Labor
• Land
• Legislation
• Library, Archives. and Historical
• Liquor
• Manpower
• Minority Groups
• Miscellaneous Correspondence
• National Energy Policy
• National Governors' Association
• Oil & Gas
• Organizations
• Planning Coordinator
  
• Probation & Parole
• Proclamations
• Publications
• Public Defender
• Public Relations
• Public Service Commission
• Press and Publicity
• State Lands
• Travel
• Underground Storage
• US Government
• University of Wyoming
•  Uranium Industry
• Water
• Western Governors' Association
• Wyoming Organizations

Additional Resources

• Michael J. Sullivan papers, 1985-1994, Collection Number 10348, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.