Ben Stevens
Encyclopedia
Ben Stevens is an American
politician
and former President of the Alaska State Senate. He is a Republican
and the son of former United States Senator
Ted Stevens
, the longest serving Republican
in United States Senate
history.
with a B.A.
in economics
and earned his Master of Business Administration
degree from the George Washington University
. After college, he was a commercial fisherman
and owner of a consulting firm. Stevens was president of the May 2001 Special Olympics
World Winter Games
, held in Anchorage
.
In August 2001, Stevens was appointed by Democratic Governor Tony Knowles
to the Alaska State Senate, after being nominated by the Republican Party of Alaska. He was the Majority Leader for the 2003-2004 term, and the President for the 2005-2006 term.
In July 2004, Stevens responded to a critical e-mail from a constituent with the comment, "Your [sic] just more valley trash," setting off a minor controversy among residents of the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, including former Wasilla
mayor (and future Alaska Governor) Sarah Palin
. "Proud to Be Valley Trash" became a slogan among Mat-Su Valley residents, and Palin was photographed wearing a t-shirt with the slogan during her successful 2006 campaign for Governor of Alaska.
A 2003 legislative earmark gave the Alaska Native community at Adak Island (and thereby Adak Fisheries) exclusive rights to pollock fishing, worth millions of dollars to Adak Fisheries. Beginning in July 2002, Stevens held a secret option, expiring in December 2004, to buy a 25% ownership in Adak for an immediate payment of $50,000 and another $450,000 paid over time. In mid-2004, 50% of Adak was sold for $4.3 million to a Seattle company. In November 2004, Stevens attempted to exercise the option, but because of changes in ownership of Adak, the complexity of the agreement between Aleut and Adak, and subsequent litigation, his $50,000 check was never cashed and Stevens did not get any ownership rights. Adak Fisheries paid Stevens $295,000 between 2000 and 2004.
In September 2007, Stevens called into an Anchorage talk radio show to proclaim his innocence. He said he "didn't do anything illegal" and that he worked in the state's best interest as a senator.
and House Speaker John Harris
called on Stevens to resign because he was under a federal investigation for his ties to the oil field services company VECO Corporation. Stevens also hadn't attended a national committee meeting in more than two years.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and former President of the Alaska State Senate. He is a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
and the son of former United States Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
Ted Stevens
Ted Stevens
Theodore Fulton "Ted" Stevens, Sr. was a United States Senator from Alaska, serving from December 24, 1968, until January 3, 2009, and thus the longest-serving Republican senator in history...
, the longest serving Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
in United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
history.
Career
Stevens graduated from the Arizona State UniversityArizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
with a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
and earned his Master of Business Administration
Master of Business Administration
The Master of Business Administration is a :master's degree in business administration, which attracts people from a wide range of academic disciplines. The MBA designation originated in the United States, emerging from the late 19th century as the country industrialized and companies sought out...
degree from the George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
. After college, he was a commercial fisherman
Fisherman
A fisherman or fisher is someone who captures fish and other animals from a body of water, or gathers shellfish. Worldwide, there are about 38 million commercial and subsistence fishermen and fish farmers. The term can also be applied to recreational fishermen and may be used to describe both men...
and owner of a consulting firm. Stevens was president of the May 2001 Special Olympics
Special Olympics
Special Olympics is the world's largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, providing year-round training and competitions to more than 3.1 million athletes in 175 countries....
World Winter Games
Winter Games
Winter Games is a sports video game developed by Epyx , based on sports featured in the Winter Olympic Games....
, held in Anchorage
Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage is a unified home rule municipality in the southcentral part of the U.S. state of Alaska. It is the northernmost major city in the United States...
.
In August 2001, Stevens was appointed by Democratic Governor Tony Knowles
Tony Knowles (politician)
Anthony Carroll Knowles is an American Democratic politician and businessman who served as the seventh Governor of Alaska from December 1994 to December 2002. Barred from seeking a third consecutive term as governor in 2002, he ran unsuccessfully for Senate in 2004 and again for governor in...
to the Alaska State Senate, after being nominated by the Republican Party of Alaska. He was the Majority Leader for the 2003-2004 term, and the President for the 2005-2006 term.
In July 2004, Stevens responded to a critical e-mail from a constituent with the comment, "Your [sic] just more valley trash," setting off a minor controversy among residents of the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, including former Wasilla
Wasilla, Alaska
Wasilla is a city in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, United States and the sixth-largest city in Alaska. It is located on the northern point of Cook Inlet in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley of the southcentral part of the state. The city's population was 7,831 at the 2010 census...
mayor (and future Alaska Governor) Sarah Palin
Sarah Palin
Sarah Louise Palin is an American politician, commentator and author. As the Republican Party nominee for Vice President in the 2008 presidential election, she was the first Alaskan on the national ticket of a major party and first Republican woman nominated for the vice-presidency.She was...
. "Proud to Be Valley Trash" became a slogan among Mat-Su Valley residents, and Palin was photographed wearing a t-shirt with the slogan during her successful 2006 campaign for Governor of Alaska.
Committee assignments for the 24th Alaska State Legislature
- Labor & Commerce Committee
- Resources Committee
- Rules Committee
- University Oversight Committee
- Administrative Regulation Review Joint Committee
- ASC Subcommittee On Homeland Security Joint Committee
- Legislative Budget & Audit Joint Committee
- Legislative Council Joint Committee
- Legislative Ethics Joint Committee
- State Finances Committee
- State Finances Subcommittee on Fish and Game
- State Finances Subcommittee on the Governor
- State Finances Subcommittee on Health and Social Services
- State Finances Subcommittee on the Legislature
- State Finances Subcommittee on Natural Resources
Alaska political corruption probe
Stevens has been investigated by the FBI in connection with an ongoing Alaska political corruption probe, though he has not been charged with any crime. His office has been visited twice by FBI agents who seized evidence including documents relating to an alleged payment scheme involving fisheries legislation.A 2003 legislative earmark gave the Alaska Native community at Adak Island (and thereby Adak Fisheries) exclusive rights to pollock fishing, worth millions of dollars to Adak Fisheries. Beginning in July 2002, Stevens held a secret option, expiring in December 2004, to buy a 25% ownership in Adak for an immediate payment of $50,000 and another $450,000 paid over time. In mid-2004, 50% of Adak was sold for $4.3 million to a Seattle company. In November 2004, Stevens attempted to exercise the option, but because of changes in ownership of Adak, the complexity of the agreement between Aleut and Adak, and subsequent litigation, his $50,000 check was never cashed and Stevens did not get any ownership rights. Adak Fisheries paid Stevens $295,000 between 2000 and 2004.
In September 2007, Stevens called into an Anchorage talk radio show to proclaim his innocence. He said he "didn't do anything illegal" and that he worked in the state's best interest as a senator.
Post Legislative-Career
After decided to not seek re-election to the state senate in 2007, Stevens continued to hold a post as a member of the Republican National Committee. In September 2007, two of the state's top Republican elected officials, Alaska Governor Sarah PalinSarah Palin
Sarah Louise Palin is an American politician, commentator and author. As the Republican Party nominee for Vice President in the 2008 presidential election, she was the first Alaskan on the national ticket of a major party and first Republican woman nominated for the vice-presidency.She was...
and House Speaker John Harris
John Harris (Alaska politician)
John Harris is an American politician and member of the Alaska House of Representatives. He served as Speaker of the House from 2005 to 2008. He was first elected in 1998 and represents the 12th district, as a member of the Republican Party. He was the mayor of Valdez from 1992 to 1996 and a...
called on Stevens to resign because he was under a federal investigation for his ties to the oil field services company VECO Corporation. Stevens also hadn't attended a national committee meeting in more than two years.
External links
- Ben Stevens official website
- Senator Ted Stevens' son Ben took bribes AlaskaReport