Mike Stepovich

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}}{{#if:|{{#ifeq:{{#ifeq:|no|yes}}|yes||}} }}{{#if:|{{#ifeq:{{#ifeq:|no|yes}}|yes||}} }}{{#if:|{{#if:||{{#ifeq:{{#ifeq:|no|yes}}|yes||}}}} }}{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:Infobox officeholder with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| regexp1 = 1blankname[%d]* | regexp2 = 1namedata[%d]* | regexp3 = 2blankname[%d]* | regexp4 = 2namedata[%d]* | regexp5 = 3blankname[%d]* | regexp6 = 3namedata[%d]* | regexp7 = 4blankname[%d]* | regexp8 = 4namedata[%d]* | regexp9 = 5blankname[%d]* | regexp10 = 5namedata[%d]* | allegiance | alma_mater | regexp11 = alongside[%d]* | alt | regexp12 = ambassador_from[%d]* | regexp13 = appointed[%d]* | regexp14 = appointer[%d]* | regexp15 = assembly[%d]* | awards | battles | battles_label | birth_date | birth_name | birth_place | birthname | regexp16 = blank[%d]* | bodyclass | branch | branch_label | cabinet | candidate | caption | categories | regexp17 = chancellor[%d]* | children | citizenship | regexp18 = co%-leader[%d]* | commands | committees | regexp19 = constituency[%d]* | regexp20 = constituency_AM[%d]* | regexp21 = constituency_MP[%d]* | regexp22 = convocation[%d]* | regexp23 = country[%d]* | regexp24 = data[%d]* | date | death_cause | death_date | death_manner | death_place | demo | regexp25 = deputy[%d]* | regexp26 = district[%d]* | education | election_date | embed | father | regexp28 = firstminister[%d]* | footnotes | regexp29 = governor[%d]* | regexp30 = governor_general[%d]* | regexp31 = governor%-general[%d]* | height | honorific_prefix | honorific-prefix | honorific_suffix | honorific-suffix | image | image name | image_name_alt | image_size | imagesize | image_upright | incumbent | regexp32 = jr/sr[%d]* | regexp33 = jr/sr and state[%d]* | known_for | regexp34 = leader[%d]* | regexp35 = legislature[%d]* | regexp36 = lieutenant[%d]* | regexp37 = lieutenant_governor[%d]* | mainwidth | regexp38 = majority[%d]* | regexp39 = majority_floor_leader[%d]* | regexp40 = majority_leader[%d]* | regexp41 = majorityleader[%d]* | mawards | regexp42 = military_blank[%d]* | regexp43 = military_data[%d]* | regexp44 = minister[%d]* | regexp45 = minister_from[%d]* | regexp46 = minority_floor_leader[%d]* | regexp47 = minority_leader[%d]* | regexp48 = minorityleader[%d]* | regexp49 = module[%d]* | regexp50 = monarch[%d]* | mother | name | nationality | native_name | native_name_lang | nickname | nocat | regexp51 = nominator[%d]* | nominee | occupation | regexp52 = office[%d]* | opponent | regexp53 = order[%d]* | otherparty | parents | regexp54 = parliament[%d]* | regexp55 = parliamentarygroup[%d]* | partner | party | party_election | portfolio | regexp56 = preceded[%d]* | regexp57 = preceding[%d]* | regexp58 = predecessor[%d]* | regexp59 = premier[%d]* | regexp60 = president[%d]* | regexp61 = primeminister[%d]* | regexp62 = prior_term[%d]* | profession | pronunciation | rank | rank_label | relations | relatives | residence | resting_place | resting_place_coordinates | restingplace | restingplacecoordinates | regexp63 = riding[%d]* | runningmate | salary | serviceyears | serviceyears_label | signature | signature_alt | signature_size | smallimage | smallimage_alt | source | speaker | speaker_office | spouse | spouses | regexp64 = state[%d]* | regexp65 = state_assembly[%d]* | regexp66 = state_delegate[%d]* | regexp67 = state_house[%d]* | regexp68 = state_legislature[%d]* | regexp69 = state_senate[%d]* | regexp70 = status[%d]* | regexp71 = suboffice[%d]* | regexp72 = subterm[%d]* | regexp73 = succeeded[%d]* | regexp74 = succeeding[%d]* | regexp75 = successor[%d]* | regexp76 = taoiseach[%d]* | regexp77 = term[%d]* | regexp78 = term_end[%d]* | regexp79 = term_label[%d]* | regexp80 = term_start[%d]* | regexp81 = termend[%d]* | regexp82 = termlabel[%d]* | regexp83 = termstart[%d]* | regexp84 = title[%d]* | unit | unit_label | regexp85 = vicegovernor[%d]* | regexp86 = vicepremier[%d]* | regexp87 = vicepresident[%d]* | regexp88 = viceprimeminister[%d]* | regexp89 = assuming[%d]* | website | width | year }} Michael Anthony Stepovich (March 12, 1919 – February 14, 2014) was an American lawyer and politician who served as the last non-acting Governor of the Territory of Alaska. Stepovich served as Territorial Governor from 1957 to 1958, and Alaska was given U.S. statehood in 1959.

Stepovich was born in Fairbanks, Alaska, and grew up in Portland, Oregon. His parents had immigrated to the United States from what is now Montenegro and Croatia in the late 19th century. Following his education and military service during World War II, Stepovich established a law practice in Fairbanks and began his political career by winning three terms in the Alaska Territorial legislature. During his term as governor, he was a leading advocate in the effort to gain statehood for Alaska. Following Alaska's admission to the Union, he made an unsuccessful run for a U.S. Senate seat and two unsuccessful attempts to be elected Governor of Alaska.

Stepovich was involved in public service for decades, ranging from his service in World War II to his post-statehood political career. He was a large part in the effort for obtaining Alaska Statehood, beginning with his appointment as governor in 1957.

Early life and educationEdit

Stepovich was born to a well-known Montenegrin miner father, Michael "Wise Mike" Stepovich,<ref>"'Wise' Mike Stepovich." Alaska Mining Hall of Fame. Alaska Mining Hall of Fame Foundation, n.d. Web. 11 June 2017.</ref><ref>Karlo, Milan, and Helen Karlo-Vuckovich. Early Days: Serbian Settlers in America: Their Life and times. Tucson, AZ: Karlo, 1984. 70–71. Print.</ref> and a Croatian mother, Olga (from Sutivan, Brač), in Fairbanks, Alaska, on March 12, 1919.<ref name="McMullin & Walker">Template:Cite book</ref> The Stijepovich family is one of the oldest families in Risan, today Montenegro.<ref>Vuka: Destination Alaska</ref> His father, originally called Marko, moved from there to the USA 1892. His parents divorced when he was 6 months old and his mother took him to Portland, Oregon,<ref name="Time">Template:Cite magazine</ref> where he was raised by his mother and stepfather. Stepovich was educated in parochial schools and Portland's Columbia Preparatory School before enrolling at the University of Portland in 1937. He graduated from Gonzaga University with a Bachelor of Arts in 1940 and from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Laws in 1943.<ref name="McMullin & Walker"/>

Military serviceEdit

After completing his law degree, Stepovich enlisted in the United States Navy and was assigned to Camp Parks' legal office.<ref name="McMullin & Walker" /> After three-and-a-half years of military service, he was discharged as a yeoman third class. Following his discharge in 1947, he returned to Portland for a short time to court his future wife before moving to Fairbanks, Alaska.

CareerEdit

In Fairbanks, he took his bar examination, was appointed city attorney by the end of the year, and established a private practice.<ref name="Time" />

Stepovich began his political career in 1950 when, running as a Republican, he won a seat in the Alaska Territorial House of Representatives.<ref name="Time"/> Two year later he advanced to take a seat in the Alaska Territorial Senate.<ref name="Life">Template:Cite magazine</ref> He remained in the senate for two terms, becoming the minority leader in 1955.<ref name="McMullin & Walker"/>

Territorial Governor of AlaskaEdit

File:Celebrating alaska statehood.jpg

Stepovich (bottom, second from right) celebrating Alaska becoming a state, January 3, 1959

The appointment of Stepovich as Governor of Alaska Territory came as a result of a recommendation by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Fred Seaton. Seaton had traveled to the territory to interview potential candidates following the resignation of Governor B. Frank Heintzleman.<ref name="Time"/><ref name="appointment">Template:Cite news</ref> While the Fairbanks attorney had not applied for the position, Seaton was still impressed by him.<ref name="Time"/> President Dwight Eisenhower nominated Stepovich for the position on May 9, 1957, and he took office on June 5 as the territory's first native-born non-acting governor.<ref name="McMullin & Walker"/><ref name="appointment"/>

Much of the new governor's term was spent lobbying for Alaskan statehood.<ref name="McMullin & Walker"/> In this effort he traveled widely through the Continental United States speaking and giving interviews on behalf of the territory.<ref name="honorary degree">Template:Cite news</ref> His efforts even included a January 19, 1958 appearance on the game show What's My Line?<ref name="Whats My Line">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>What's My Line? – Ralph Bellamy; Ricardo Montalban (panel) (Jan 19, 1958)</ref>

Involvement in the Alaska Statehood ActEdit

Stepovich was seated in the House Gallery when the House cast their votes on the Alaska Statehood Act. Upon its passage by the House, Stepovich would celebrate with Delegate E.L. "Bob" Bartlett, as well as New York Representative Leo W. O'Brien, and Pennsylvania Representative John Saylor. The bill passed, despite opposition from the powerful Chair of the Rules Committee, Virginia Representative Howard Smith & House Minority Leader Joe Martin. This was namely because of powerful House Speaker Sam Rayburn, who was one of the most influential members of Congress, and heavily backed the Alaska Statehood Act, partially because Alaska was heavily Democratic. Cheers came from the streets of Alaska as the news came to the soon-to-be state, and an Alaskan native remarked "It's a good thing. I like to see it come on fine. I will enjoy my first vote for President."<ref name="Time"/>

File:Mike stepovich we're in.jpg

Stepovich with President Eisenhower and Secretary of the Interior Fred Seaton, c. 1958 or 1959

President Eisenhower signed the Alaskan Statehood Bill on July 7, 1958. Following this event, Stepovich issued a proclamation setting the dates for primary and general elections to determine officeholders for the new state, setting the elections for November 25.<ref name="McMullin & Walker"/> The Territorial Governor then resigned on August 1, 1958, to run for a seat in the United States Senate. Following his departure, Territorial Secretary Waino Edward Hendrickson succeeded as Acting Governor.<ref name="resignation">Template:Cite news</ref>

Post-gubernatorial careerEdit

Stepovich's bid for a United States Senate seat was unsuccessful. He was defeated by Ernest Gruening in the November 25, 1958, election, held just before Alaska became a state on January 3, 1959.<ref name="1958 election results">Template:Cite news</ref>

In 1960, Stepovich campaigned against an unsuccessful ballot initiative to move the state capital from Juneau, Alaska, to Anchorage, Alaska.<ref name="capital move">Template:Cite news</ref>

Stepovich ran for governor of Alaska in 1962, winning the Republican nomination, but was defeated by the Democratic incumbent William A. Egan by a narrow margin.<ref name="1962 Republican nomination">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="1962 election results">Template:Cite news</ref>

Stepovich lost to Wally Hickel in the Republican primary for governor in 1966. This was his final campaign for office.<ref name="1966 primary results">Template:Cite news</ref>

Following his unsuccessful Senate run, Stepovich returned to his legal practice in Fairbanks.<ref name="McMullin & Walker"/> He remained there until 1978 when he and his wife relocated to Medford, Oregon.<ref name="honorary degree"/> Despite the move, the former governor still maintained his legal residence in Fairbanks.<ref name="McMullin & Walker"/>

Personal life and familyEdit

Stepovich married Matilda Baricevic in November 1947. The couple had 13 children.<ref name="McMullin & Walker"/> His daughter Nada married NBA player John Stockton.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> His niece is actress and playwright Nicole Burdette.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On November 25, 2003, Stepovich's wife, Matilda, died.<ref name="matilda death">Template:Cite news</ref>

Stepovich was granted an honorary doctorate by the University of Alaska Fairbanks on May 10, 2009.<ref name="honorary degree"/>

While visiting his son in San Diego, California, Stepovich suffered a head injury as result of a fall.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He died on February 14, 2014, after spending six days in a hospital. At the time of his death, he was the last living former American governor who left office in the 1950s.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Stepovich's body was returned to Fairbanks, Alaska. A memorial service was held for him at Sacred Heart Cathedral on February 28, 2014, followed by burial at Birch Hill Cemetery.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

ReferencesEdit

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External linksEdit

Mike Stepovich at 100 Years of Alaska's Legislature

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