Michael Anthony Stepovich(March 12, 1919 – February 14, 2014) was an American lawyer and politician who served as the last non-actingGovernorof theTerritory of Alaska.Stepovich served as Territorial Governor from 1957 to 1958, and Alaska was given U.S. statehood in 1959.
Mike Stepovich | |
|---|---|
 Stepovich in 1957 | |
| 9thGovernor of Alaska Territory | |
| In office June 5, 1957 – August 1, 1958 | |
| Lieutenant | Waino Hendrickson |
| Preceded by | Waino Hendrickson (Acting) |
| Succeeded by | Waino Hendrickson (Acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Michael Anthony Stepovich March 12, 1919 Fairbanks,Territory of Alaska,U.S. |
| Died | February 14, 2014(aged 94) San Diego,California,U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Matilda Baricevic
(m.1947; died 2003) |
| Relations | Nicole Burdette(niece) John Stockton(son-in-law) Michael Stockton(grandson) David Stockton(grandson) |
| Children | 13 |
| Education | Gonzaga University(BA) University of Notre Dame(LLB) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1943–1947 |
| Rank | Yeoman (Third Class) |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Stepovich was born inFairbanks, Alaska,and grew up inPortland, Oregon.His parents had immigrated to the United States from what is nowMontenegroandCroatiain the late 19th century. Following his education and military service duringWorld 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 education
editStepovich was born to a well-knownMontenegrinminer father, Michael "Wise Mike" Stepovich,[1][2]and aCroatianmother, Olga (fromSutivan,Brač), inFairbanks, Alaska,on March 12, 1919.[3] The Stijepovich family is one of the oldest families inRisan,today Montenegro.[4]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 toPortland, Oregon,[5]where he was raised by his mother and stepfather. Stepovich was educated inparochial schoolsand Portland's Columbia Preparatory School before enrolling at theUniversity of Portlandin 1937. He graduated fromGonzaga Universitywith aBachelor of Artsin 1940 and from theUniversity of Notre Damewith aBachelor of Lawsin 1943.[3]
Military service
editAfter completing his law degree, Stepovich enlisted in theUnited States Navyand was assigned toCamp Parks' legal office.[3]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.
Career
editIn Fairbanks, he took hisbar examination,was appointedcity attorneyby the end of the year, and established a private practice.[5]
Stepovich began his political career in 1950 when, running as aRepublican,he won a seat in the Alaska Territorial House of Representatives.[5]Two year later he advanced to take a seat in the Alaska Territorial Senate.[6]He remained in the senate for two terms, becoming theminority leaderin 1955.[3]
Territorial Governor of Alaska
edit
The appointment of Stepovich as Governor of Alaska Territory came as a result of a recommendation byU.S. Secretary of the InteriorFred Seaton.Seaton had traveled to the territory to interview potential candidates following the resignation of GovernorB. Frank Heintzleman.[5][7]While the Fairbanks attorney had not applied for the position, Seaton was still impressed by him.[5]PresidentDwight Eisenhowernominated 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.[3][7]
Much of the new governor's term was spent lobbying for Alaskan statehood.[3]In this effort he traveled widely through theContinental United Statesspeaking and giving interviews on behalf of the territory.[8]His efforts even included a January 19, 1958 appearance on the game showWhat's My Line?[9][10]
Involvement in the Alaska Statehood Act
editStepovich was seated in the House Gallery when the House cast their votes on theAlaska Statehood Act.Upon its passage by the House, Stepovich would celebrate with DelegateE.L. "Bob" Bartlett,as well as New York RepresentativeLeo W. O'Brien,and Pennsylvania RepresentativeJohn Saylor.The bill passed, despite opposition from the powerful Chair of the Rules Committee, Virginia RepresentativeHoward Smith& House Minority LeaderJoe Martin.This was namely because of powerful House SpeakerSam Rayburn,who was one of the most influential members of Congress, and heavily backed the Alaska Statehood Act, partially because Alaska was heavilyDemocratic.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."[5]
President Eisenhower signed the Alaskan Statehood Bill on July 7, 1958. Following this event, Stepovich issued a proclamation setting the dates forprimaryandgeneral electionsto determine officeholders for the new state, setting the elections for November 25.[3]The Territorial Governor then resigned on August 1, 1958, to run for a seat in theUnited States Senate.Following his departure,Territorial SecretaryWaino Edward Hendricksonsucceeded as Acting Governor.[11]
Post-gubernatorial career
editStepovich's bid for aUnited States Senateseat was unsuccessful. He was defeated byErnest Grueningin the November 25, 1958, election, held just before Alaska became a state on January 3, 1959.[12]
In 1960, Stepovich campaigned against an unsuccessful ballot initiative to move the state capital fromJuneau, Alaska,toAnchorage, Alaska.[13]
Stepovich ran for governor of Alaska in 1962, winning the Republican nomination, but was defeated by the Democratic incumbentWilliam A. Eganby a narrow margin.[14][15]
Stepovich lost toWally Hickelin the Republican primary for governor in 1966. This was his final campaign for office.[16]
Following his unsuccessful Senate run, Stepovich returned to his legal practice in Fairbanks.[3]He remained there until 1978 when he and his wife relocated toMedford, Oregon.[8]Despite the move, the former governor still maintained his legal residence in Fairbanks.[3]
Personal life and family
editStepovich married Matilda Baricevic in November 1947. The couple had 13 children.[3]His daughter Nada marriedNBAplayerJohn Stockton.[17]His niece is actress and playwrightNicole Burdette.[18]
On November 25, 2003, Stepovich's wife, Matilda, died.[19]
Stepovich was granted an honorary doctorate by theUniversity of Alaska Fairbankson May 10, 2009.[8]
While visiting his son inSan Diego, California,Stepovich suffered a head injury as result of a fall.[20]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.[21]Stepovich's body was returned to Fairbanks, Alaska. A memorial service was held for him atSacred Heart Cathedralon February 28, 2014, followed by burial atBirch Hill Cemetery.[22]
References
edit- ^"'Wise' Mike Stepovich." Alaska Mining Hall of Fame. Alaska Mining Hall of Fame Foundation, n.d. Web. 11 June 2017.
- ^Karlo, Milan, and Helen Karlo-Vuckovich. Early Days: Serbian Settlers in America: Their Life and times. Tucson, AZ: Karlo, 1984. 70–71. Print.
- ^abcdefghijMcMullin, Thomas A.; Walker, David (1984).Biographical Directory of American Territorial Governors.Westport, CT: Meckler Publishing. pp.25–26.ISBN0-930466-11-X.
- ^Vuka: Destination Alaska
- ^abcdef"Alaska: Land of Beauty & Swat".Time.Vol. LXXI, no. 23. June 9, 1958. Archived fromthe originalon January 7, 2007.
- ^"First Homebred Governor Goes to Work in Alaska".Life.Vol. 43, no. 6. August 5, 1957. pp. 53–56.
- ^ab"Stepovich Nominated As Alaska Governor".Ellensburg Daily Record.May 9, 1957. p. 1.
- ^abc"Last living territorial governor honored at UAF".Anchorage Daily News.May 30, 2009. Archived fromthe originalon June 10, 2011.
- ^"Dec. 16: Big ice melt; polar bears find food on land; Stevens signs his desk; measuring snow by radar; century-old hardware store closes; Tlingit quarterback".Anchorage Daily News.December 16, 2008. Archived fromthe originalon June 10, 2011.
- ^What's My Line? – Ralph Bellamy; Ricardo Montalban (panel) (Jan 19, 1958)
- ^"Alaska Governor Resigns for Race".New York Times.August 2, 1958. p. 8.
- ^Davies, Lawrence E. (November 27, 1958). "Alaska's Democrats Sweep Top Posts in First Election".New York Times.p. 1.
- ^Davies, Lawrence E. (August 7, 1960). "Alaska is Divided on Capital Shift".New York Times.p. 66.
- ^"Alaska Democrats Nominate Gov. Egan".New York Times.August 16, 1962. p. 8.
- ^"Alaska Posts Won by Egan and Rivers".New York Times.November 9, 1962. p. 38.
- ^Davies, Lawrence E. (October 23, 1966). "Egan Faces a Close Fight for Re-election as Governor of Alaska".New York Times.p. 78.
- ^McCallum, Jack(April 25, 1988)."Not a Passing Fancy".Sports Illustrated.Vol. 68, no. 17. pp. 72–78.RetrievedSeptember 18,2019.
- ^Yardley, William (2014-02-19)."Mike Stepovich, Who Led Alaska to Statehood, Dies at 94".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.Retrieved2020-05-08.
- ^"Obituaries".Anchorage Daily News.November 30, 2003. p. B7.
- ^"Former Alaska territorial governor injured in fall".San Jose Mercury News.Associated Press. February 13, 2014.
- ^Richardson, Jeff (February 14, 2014)."Alaska Territorial Gov. Stepovich dies at age 94".Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.
- ^Richardson, Jeff (February 28, 2014)."Family, friends say goodbye to Alaska territorial Gov. Stepovich".Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.
External links
edit- Mike Stepovichat100 Years of Alaska's Legislature