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Steve Cowper
Steve Cowper 1990.jpg
Cowper in 1990
6th Governor of Alaska
In office
December 1, 1986 – December 3, 1990
Lieutenant Steve McAlpine
Preceded by Bill Sheffield
Succeeded by Wally Hickel
Member of the Alaska House of Representatives
from the 20th district
In office
January 20, 1975 – January 14, 1979
Preceded by Multi-member district
Succeeded by Multi-member district
Personal details
Born
Stephen Cambreleng Cowper

(1938-08-21) August 21, 1938 (age 86)
Petersburg, Virginia, U.S.
Political party Democratic
Spouses Deanna Elizabeth Blanco (divorced)
Margaret Stewart (1985–1991) (divorced)
Children 3
Education University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (BA, LLB)
Signature
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
Unit Army Medical Corps
United States Army Reserve

Stephen Cowper, born on August 21, 1938, is an American politician. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He served as the sixth governor of Alaska from 1986 to 1990. During his time as governor, a major event happened: the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989.

Today, Cowper is the CEO of Steve Cowper & Associates. He also serves on the boards of companies that deal with energy in the US and Canada.

Early Life and Career

Stephen Cowper was born in 1938 in Petersburg, Virginia. He grew up in Kinston, North Carolina. He went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. There, he earned degrees in arts and law.

After college, he served in the United States Army Medical Corps and the United States Army Reserve. For three years, he worked as a lawyer focusing on shipping laws in Norfolk, Virginia. In 1968, Cowper moved to Fairbanks, Alaska. He worked as an assistant district attorney there.

Political Journey

Steve Cowper 1977
Cowper during his second term in the Alaska House of Representatives.

In 1974, Cowper was elected to the Alaska House of Representatives. This is part of Alaska's state government that makes laws. He served two terms, which means he was elected twice.

While in the House, he led important committees. For example, he was chairman of the Finance Committee from 1977 to 1978. In 1982, Cowper tried to become governor but did not win the Democratic nomination.

Serving as Governor of Alaska (1986–1990)

Cowper ran for governor again in 1986. This time, he won the Democratic nomination. He then won the general election on November 4, 1986. He received 47% of the votes.

As governor, Cowper suggested bringing back a state income tax. This was to help fix a large money shortage in the state. He also wanted to make the University of Alaska's international study program bigger. He hoped to create an International Trade Center. Governor Cowper also focused on teaching foreign languages and cultures in schools. In early 1989, he announced he would not run for re-election. This decision surprised some people.

After Being Governor

After his time as governor, Cowper continued to be involved in public and private work. In 1991, he was a visiting fellow at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. He also co-chaired the Pacific Rim Fisheries Conference in 1994 and 1997.

Since 1991, he has been the CEO of Steve Cowper & Associates. This group gives advice to companies and governments about energy projects. He has also been on the boards of many energy companies in the US and Canada. As of 2010, Cowper lives in Austin, Texas.

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