Frank Murkowski facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Frank Murkowski
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Murkowski in 1992
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| 8th Governor of Alaska | |
| In office December 2, 2002 – December 4, 2006 |
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| Lieutenant | Loren Leman |
| Preceded by | Tony Knowles |
| Succeeded by | Sarah Palin |
| United States Senator from Alaska |
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| In office January 3, 1981 – December 2, 2002 |
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| Preceded by | Mike Gravel |
| Succeeded by | Lisa Murkowski |
| 3rd Alaska Commissioner of Economic Development | |
| In office December 5, 1966 – December 7, 1970 |
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| Governor | Wally Hickel Keith Miller |
| Preceded by | William Dickson |
| Succeeded by | Everett Buness |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Frank Hughes Murkowski
March 28, 1933 Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Nancy Gore
(m. 1954) |
| Children | 6, including Lisa |
| Education | Seattle University (BS) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Coast Guard |
| Years of service | 1955–1957 |
Frank Hughes Murkowski (born March 28, 1933) is an American politician. He is a member of the Republican Party. He served as a United States Senator for Alaska from 1981 to 2002. Later, he became the eighth governor of Alaska, serving from 2002 to 2006.
Murkowski ran for Alaska's only congressional seat in 1970 but lost. In 1980, he was elected to the United States Senate. He was reelected three more times in 1986, 1992, and 1998.
In 2002, Murkowski ran for governor of Alaska. He won the election and became governor on December 2, 2002. He resigned his Senate seat to become governor. He then appointed his daughter, Lisa Murkowski, to take his place in the Senate. When he ran for reelection in 2006, he finished third in the Republican primary election.
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Frank Murkowski's Early Life and Schooling
Frank Murkowski was born in Seattle, Washington, on March 28, 1933. His parents were Helen and Frank M. Murkowski. His grandfather on his father's side was from Poland.
He went to Ketchikan High School in Alaska and graduated in 1951. He then studied at Santa Clara University from 1951 to 1953. In 1955, he earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in economics from Seattle University.
Murkowski joined the United States Coast Guard in the summer of 1955. He served until 1957. During his time in the Coast Guard, he was stationed in Sitka and Ketchikan, Alaska. He also served on the cutters Sorrel and Thistle.
Frank Murkowski's Career Journey
After his time in the Coast Guard, Murkowski worked at Pacific National Bank. He also continued his studies at Pacific Coast Banking School. At 33, he became Alaska's youngest Commissioner of Economic Development. This was a very important role for the state's economy.
In 1971, he became the president of the Alaska National Bank of the North. He also led the Alaska Bankers Association. In 1977, he became the head of the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce.
In 1970, he ran for Alaska's only U.S. House seat. However, he was defeated by Nick Begich, a Democratic state Senator.
Serving in the U.S. Senate
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Frank Murkowski was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1980. He won against Democratic candidate Clark Gruening. He was re-elected three more times in 1986, 1992, and 1998.
During his time in the Senate, he was known for being the Chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. He held this position from 1995 to 2001. As chairman, he worked to allow oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. However, this effort was not successful.
Becoming Governor of Alaska
Murkowski was elected governor on November 5, 2002. He received almost 56% of the votes. This was the highest percentage for any Republican governor in Alaska at that time. He took office on December 2, 2002, following Democrat Tony Knowles.
When he became governor, he resigned from his Senate seat. He then appointed his daughter, Lisa Murkowski, to fill his place. This appointment was criticized by some as an example of nepotism, which means giving a job to a family member.
Towards the end of his term, Governor Murkowski worked on a deal for a gas pipeline. This deal was never fully approved by the state legislature. Murkowski considered signing the deal without their approval. However, the legislature successfully stopped him from doing so through a lawsuit.
Governor Murkowski ran for re-election in 2006. He finished third in the Republican primary election on August 22, 2006. Sarah Palin, who was the mayor of Wasilla, won the primary with 51% of the votes. John Binkley came in second with 30%, and Murkowski received 19%. This was the largest defeat for an incumbent Republican governor in a primary election in U.S. history. Murkowski left office with a low approval rating.
Frank Murkowski spent 27 years in public service. This included two years in the armed services, 21 years as Alaska's junior senator, and four years as governor.
He thought about running for governor again in the 2018 election but decided not to.
Images for kids
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Murkowski and his wife stand behind Vice President Dan Quayle and Marilyn Quayle as they express their appreciation to airmen who served in the Persian Gulf area during Operation Desert Storm on May 18, 1991
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Murkowski with Rick Santorum, Larry Craig, and Kay Bailey Hutchison in 2001
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Murkowski, Senator Ted Stevens, Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov, State Senator Gary Wilken, and former State Senator John Binkley cut the ribbon dedicating a memorial to the Alaska-Siberia Lend Lease program in Fairbanks, Alaska on August 26, 2006
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Murkowski with Interior Secretary Ken Salazar in 2011
See also
In Spanish: Frank Murkowski para niños
