Майкл Степкович: Последний территориальный губернатор Аляски

American politician

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.

Stepovich was born to a well known Montenegrin miner father, Michael "Wise Mike" Stepovich, and a Croatian mother, Olga (from Sutivan, Brač), in Fairbanks, Alaska, on March 12, 1919. The Stijepovich family is one of the oldest families in Risan, today Montenegro. 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, 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. He remained in the senate for two terms, becoming the minority leader in 1955. While the Fairbanks attorney had not applied for the position, Seaton was still impressed by him. His efforts even included a January 19, 1958 appearance on the game show What's My Line?

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."

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. In 1960, Stepovich campaigned against an unsuccessful ballot initiative to move the state capital from Juneau, Alaska, to Anchorage, Alaska. 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. Stepovich lost to Wally Hickel in the Republican primary for governor in 1966. This was his final campaign for office. Following his unsuccessful Senate run, Stepovich returned to his legal practice in Fairbanks. His niece is actress and playwright Nicole Burdette. On November 25, 2003, Stepovich's wife, Matilda, died. Stepovich was granted an honorary doctorate by the University of Alaska Fairbanks on May 10, 2009. He died on February 14, 2014, after spending six days in a hospital. 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.