Loren Leman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Loren Leman
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| 8th Lieutenant Governor of Alaska | |
| In office December 2, 2002 – December 4, 2006 |
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| Governor | Frank Murkowski |
| Preceded by | Fran Ulmer |
| Succeeded by | Sean Parnell |
| Member of the Alaska Senate from the G district |
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| In office December 1993 – December 2, 2002 |
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| Preceded by | Pat Rodey |
| Succeeded by | Hollis French |
| Member of the Alaska House of Representatives from the 9th district |
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| In office December 1989 - December 1993 |
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| Preceded by | Drue Pearce |
| Succeeded by | Cynthia Toohey |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Loren Dwight Leman
December 2, 1950 Pomona, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Carolyn Rae Bratvold |
| Alma mater | Oregon State University, Corvallis Stanford University University of Alaska, Anchorage |
Loren Dwight Leman (Russian: Лорен Дуайт Леман; born December 2, 1950) is an American politician. He served as the eighth lieutenant governor of Alaska from 2002 to 2006. Before this, he worked in both parts of the state legislature. He was even chosen as the Senate Majority Leader.
Leman was active in politics from 1989 to 2006. When he became lieutenant governor in 2002, he made history. He was the first person with Alaska Native family to be elected to a statewide office in Alaska. He also has Russian and Polish roots.
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Early Life and Family History
Loren Leman was born in Pomona, California. He grew up in Ninilchik, Alaska. His family spoke Russian and had Alutiiq and Russian-Polish heritage. They worked as commercial fishermen. This means they caught fish to sell.
He watched his father use a fish trap. This was a way to catch fish before it became illegal in 1959. Later, Leman worked with his family catching salmon. They used a special net in Cook Inlet near Ninilchik. He also fished for halibut and harvested herring eggs.
Leman's family has a long history in Alaska. His ancestors came to Kodiak in 1798. A Russian shipbuilder married an Alutiiq woman from Afognak.
Education and Personal Life
Leman finished Ninilchik High School in 1968. He earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Oregon State University in 1972. He then got a master's degree in civil/environmental engineering from Stanford University in 1973.
He and his wife, Carolyn, have three children. Their names are Rachel, Joseph, and Nicole. Sadly, their younger daughter, Nicole, passed away in 2015.
Political Career in Alaska
Loren Leman joined the Republican Party in Alaska. He became very active in politics. In 1988, he was elected to the Alaska state house. He represented west Anchorage until 1993.
He was known for his conservative views. He supported business growth and protecting the environment. He also supported Alaska's military and wanted to save taxpayer money.
Serving in the State Senate
In 1992, Leman was elected to the State Senate. He represented northwest Anchorage. He served there from January 1993 to December 2002. He led important committees like State Affairs and Resources. He also served on the Finance Committee. In his last term, he was chosen as the Senate Majority Leader. This is a very important leadership role.
Becoming Lieutenant Governor
In November 2002, Leman achieved a historic milestone. He became Alaska's eighth lieutenant governor. He was the first person of Alaska Native background to win a statewide election.
The Election for Lieutenant Governor
In the fall of 2002, Leman worked hard to get the Republican nomination. He ran against several other candidates. These included Gail Phillips, Robin Taylor, and Sarah Palin. Leman won the nomination. Sarah Palin came in a close second. She later ran for vice president with Senator John McCain.
Key Responsibilities as Lieutenant Governor
As lieutenant governor, Leman focused on several important areas. He worked on managing the state's budget carefully. He also wanted to improve how schools were held accountable. He promoted smart ways to use Alaska's natural resources. He believed in being fiscally responsible. This means managing money wisely. He supported a plan to reduce state spending.
He was active in groups like the Energy Council. He also taught about the Alaska constitution. He gave talks to high school and university students.
During his four years, Leman led Alaska's Faith-Based & Community Initiatives. This program helped the government work with faith groups. Alaska was recognized as a "role model State" for its success. Leman often spoke about the role of faith in public service.
He also served on the Denali Commission. This group works with the state and federal government. It helps improve health care, energy, and transportation in rural Alaska.
In 2006, Leman decided not to run for lieutenant governor again. Sean Parnell took his place.
Improving Transportation in Alaska
Loren Leman has always been very interested in making transportation better in Alaska. He managed projects to improve airports. He also supported the Alaska Aerospace Development Corporation. This group has launch facilities on Kodiak Island.
He served on the board of the Challenger Learning Center in Kenai. He was also the national chairman of the Aerospace States Association. This group advises Congress on aviation and space issues.
Leman supported laws to help the Alaska Railroad. This allowed them to improve their tracks. He also championed improvements for roads, ports, and buildings. He helped identify over $1.4 billion needed for infrastructure improvements.
His other work includes civil and environmental engineering. He is a registered civil engineer in Alaska. His engineering work has taken him all over the state.
Legacy and Honors
In 1999, while he was a Senator, Leman received a national award. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) gave him the Civil Government award. This was for his work in improving education, developing resources, and improving transportation in Alaska.
See also
