Ethan Berkowitz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ethan Berkowitz
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| Mayor of Anchorage | |
| In office July 1, 2015 – October 23, 2020 |
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| Preceded by | Dan Sullivan |
| Succeeded by | Austin Quinn-Davidson (acting) |
| Minority Leader of the Alaska House of Representatives | |
| In office 1999–2006 |
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| Preceded by | Gene Kubina |
| Succeeded by | Beth Kerttula |
| Member of the Alaska House of Representatives | |
| In office 1997–2007 |
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| Preceded by | Cynthia Toohey |
| Succeeded by | Lindsey Holmes |
| Constituency | 26th district (2003–2007) 13th district (1997–2003) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Ethan Avram Berkowitz
February 4, 1962 San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Mara Kimmel |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Harvard University (AB) University of Cambridge (MPhil) University of California, Hastings (JD) |
Ethan Avram Berkowitz (born February 4, 1962) is an American lawyer, businessman, and politician. He is from Alaska. From 1997 to 2007, he served as an Alaska State Representative. He was the leader of the Democratic Party members in the House from 1999 to 2007.
Berkowitz ran for several important political roles. These included lieutenant governor in 2006. He also ran for a seat in the United States House of Representatives in 2008. In 2010, he ran for governor. He was elected mayor of Anchorage in 2015. He was reelected in 2018. Berkowitz stepped down as mayor of Anchorage in October 2020.
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Early Life and Education
Ethan Berkowitz was born in San Francisco, California. This was on February 4, 1962. He grew up in a Jewish family.
He went to Harvard College. There, he earned a degree in government and economics in 1983. He then studied at Cambridge University. In 1986, he received a Master of Philosophy degree in polar studies. Later, he earned a law degree from the Hastings College of Law in 1990.
After finishing law school, Berkowitz moved to Alaska. He has worked as a lawyer and owned businesses there.
Political Career
Serving in the Alaska House of Representatives
Berkowitz was a member of the Alaska House of Representatives. He represented District 26 in Anchorage. He was first elected in 1996. He was reelected four more times until 2004.
From 1999 to 2007, he was the leader for the Democratic members in the House. This role is called the minority leader.
Running for Lieutenant Governor in 2006
In the 2006 election, Berkowitz ran for lieutenant governor of Alaska. He was the Democratic candidate. He ran alongside Tony Knowles, who was running for governor.
They were defeated in the election. Sarah Palin and Sean Parnell won.
Campaigning for U.S. Congress in 2008
In 2008, Berkowitz ran for a seat in the United States House of Representatives. He wanted to represent Alaska's at-large congressional district. The seat was held by Republican Don Young. Young was seeking his 19th term.
Berkowitz won the Democratic primary election. He defeated Diane Benson. The general election was on November 4, 2008. Don Young was reelected. Berkowitz received 45% of the votes. This was the closest any Democrat had come to beating Young since 1990.
Running for Governor in 2010
In 2009, Berkowitz decided to run for governor. He entered the race after Governor Sarah Palin resigned. On August 24, 2010, he won the Democratic nomination. He defeated State Senator Hollis S. French.
In the November general election, the current Republican Governor Sean Parnell won. Berkowitz and his running mate, Diane E. Benson, received 38% of the votes.
Becoming Mayor of Anchorage in 2015
Berkowitz ran for mayor of Anchorage in 2015. He was the top finisher in the first election on April 7. This meant he moved on to a runoff election. He ran against Assemblywoman Amy Demboski.
He won the runoff election on May 5. He won by a large margin.
Serving as Mayor of Anchorage
Ethan Berkowitz became the mayor of Anchorage on July 1, 2015. In his speech, he asked people to work together. He encouraged them to overcome differences.
On October 13, 2020, he announced he would step down. His resignation became effective on October 23, 2020.
Other Work
In February 2011, Berkowitz took a job at Strategies 360. He became a Senior Vice President at their Anchorage, Alaska office.
Berkowitz also co-hosted a radio show. It was called the Bernadette and Berkowitz Show. The show was on Anchorage radio station KFQD in 2014. He left the show when he started his mayoral campaign.
Electoral history
