Mike Stepovich
| Mike Stepovich | |
|---|---|
Stepovich celebrating Alaska statehood in January 1959
|
|
| Governor of Alaska Territory | |
|
In office April 12, 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(s) | Matilda Baricevic |
| Alma mater |
University of Portland Gonzaga University University of Notre Dame |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Michael Anthony "Mike" Stepovich (March 12, 1919 – February 14, 2014) was an American lawyer who, from 1957 to 1958, served as the last non-acting Governor of Alaska Territory. Following his education and military service during World War II, Stepovich established a law practice in his home town of Fairbanks, Alaska 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 born to Croatian parents, Michael and Olga Stepovich, in Fairbanks, Alaska on March 12, 1919. 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.
After completing his law degree, Stepovich enlisted in the United States Navy and was assigned to Camp Parks' legal office. 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. In Fairbanks he took his bar examination and was appointed city attorney by the end of the year and establishing a private practice.
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