Loren Leman
Encyclopedia
Loren Dwight Leman was the tenth Lieutenant Governor of Alaska, traces his family history in Alaska to a marriage in Kodiak
more than 200 years ago between a Russian shipbuilder and an Alutiiq
woman from Afognak. Gold miners, Alaska Natives, fishermen and missionaries have figured prominently in his ancestry.
for 14 years, where he was known as a social conservative, pro-development, pro-business, environmentally-conscious, a supporter of Alaska’s military and taxpayer-friendly. Loren Leman represented west Anchorage in the State House from 1989 to 1993 and northwest Anchorage in the State Senate from January 1993 to December 2002. In addition to other assignments, he chaired the Senate State Affairs, Labor & Commerce and Resources committees, served on its Finance Committee and finished as the Senate Majority Leader.
In the fall of 2002 Leman campaigned to win the Republican nomination for Lieutenant Governor. His opponents in that Republican race were Gail Phillips, State Representative from Homer, Robin Taylor, State Senator from Wrangell, and Sarah Palin
who had been a mayor of Wasilla. Leman won. Palin was a close second, within 2,000 votes.
As a legislator and subsequently as Lieutenant Governor, Loren Leman’s interests included budget discipline, education accountability, promoting wise use of Alaska’s natural resources, and strongly opposing gay rights and abortion. Senator Leman was an advocate for fiscal responsibility through adopting and following a five-year plan to reduce State spending by $250 million. A fierce social conservative, he also led efforts to require parental notification for teens seeking to have abortions and sponsored a 1998 constitutional amendment that banned same-sex marriage
. He was also active on the multi-state Energy Council, Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission and Pacific States Legislative Task Force. In addition he has taught the Alaska constitution and legislative process to Boys and Girls State delegates, “Winning Women” seminars and has been a guest lecturer to high school and University of Alaska students.
During his four years as Lieutenant Governor Leman led Alaska’s Faith-Based & Community Initiatives, to develop synergies between government and Alaska’s faith communities. After barely one year of existence of this initiative, the White House recognized Alaska as a “role model State” for its FBCI achievements. Lieutenant Governor Leman has spoken in many forums on the role of people of faith in politics and community service. He also represented the State as one of seven commissioners on the Denali Commission, a unique State-federal cooperative effort to improve health care, energy, transportation, economic opportunities and workforce development, primarily in rural Alaska.
There was some speculation that Leman might run for governor in 2006, either challenging Frank Murkowski
in the primary or running for an open seat if Murkowski retired. Leman planned an announcement in February 2006, but postponed the news to talk more to his family about the decision. In May 2006, Murkowski announced his plans to run for reelection. A few days later, Leman declined a run for the office (saying Murkowski's decision was only one of many factors) and also opted out of a second term as lieutenant governor. Republican Sean Parnell
took the seat that Leman left vacant.
Loren Leman has long maintained an avid interest in transportation improvements in Alaska. He has managed projects to improve airports, was an early supporter of the Alaska Aerospace Development Corporation’s launch facilities on Kodiak, served on the Board of Directors of the Challenger Learning Center in Kenai
and as the national chairman of the Aerospace States Association, an organization of Lieutenant Governors and Governor-appointed delegates from space ports and academia who advise Congress on aviation and space issues. He was also a sponsor of legislation to enable the Alaska Railroad
to complete its most recent track realignment and improvement project from Ship Creek to Wasilla. He has championed road, port and harbor, and building improvements and served on the Legislature’s Deferred Maintenance Task Force in the mid-1990s, identifying more than $1.4 billion in infrastructure improvement needs.
Loren Leman’s other work history includes consulting civil/environmental engineering and fishing. A registered civil engineer
in Alaska, his engineering work during the past 33 years has spanned the entire State, from Ketchikan to Kotzebue
, Unalaska to Wasilla to Yakutat. In 1999 then Senator Leman was nominated by the Alaska Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers, and went on to win the national Civil Government award from ASCE, the world’s premier civil engineering society, for his work in improving education, developing resources and improving transportation in Alaska.
Loren Leman was raised in a commercial fishing
family in Alaska, watched his father operate a fish trap during Territorial days, before this fishing method was outlawed by referendum in 1959, and subsequently has worked the family salmon setnet operation on Cook Inlet
near Ninilchik. He has also longlined for halibut in Cook Inlet and harvested herring roe on kelp in Prince William Sound
.
Loren Leman was raised in Ninilchik
, where he graduated from high school in 1968. He received his Bachelors’ degree in Civil Engineering
from Oregon State University
in 1972 and Masters degree in Civil/Environmental Engineering from Stanford University
in 1973. He has also studied Arctic Engineering at the University of Alaska Anchorage
.
Loren and his wife Carolyn have three children—Joseph, Rachel, and Nicole.
Kodiak, Alaska
Kodiak is one of 7 communities and the main city on Kodiak Island, Kodiak Island Borough, in the U.S. state of Alaska. All commercial transportation between the entire island and the outside world goes through this city either via ferryboat or airline...
more than 200 years ago between a Russian shipbuilder and an Alutiiq
Alutiiq
The Alutiiq , also called Pacific Yupik or Sugpiaq, are a southern coastal people of the Native peoples of Alaska. Their language is called Sugstun, and it is one of Eskimo languages, belonging to the Yup’ik branch of these languages. They are not to be confused with the Aleuts, who live further...
woman from Afognak. Gold miners, Alaska Natives, fishermen and missionaries have figured prominently in his ancestry.
Lieutenant governor
In November 2002, Loren Leman, a member of the Republican Party, became the first person with Alaska Native ancestry to be elected to statewide office when he was chosen as Alaska's eighth lieutenant governor. Before that, he served in the Alaska LegislatureAlaska Legislature
The Alaska Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Alaska. It is a bicameral institution, consisting of the lower Alaska House of Representatives, with 40 members, and the upper house Alaska Senate, with 20 members...
for 14 years, where he was known as a social conservative, pro-development, pro-business, environmentally-conscious, a supporter of Alaska’s military and taxpayer-friendly. Loren Leman represented west Anchorage in the State House from 1989 to 1993 and northwest Anchorage in the State Senate from January 1993 to December 2002. In addition to other assignments, he chaired the Senate State Affairs, Labor & Commerce and Resources committees, served on its Finance Committee and finished as the Senate Majority Leader.
In the fall of 2002 Leman campaigned to win the Republican nomination for Lieutenant Governor. His opponents in that Republican race were Gail Phillips, State Representative from Homer, Robin Taylor, State Senator from Wrangell, and 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...
who had been a mayor of Wasilla. Leman won. Palin was a close second, within 2,000 votes.
As a legislator and subsequently as Lieutenant Governor, Loren Leman’s interests included budget discipline, education accountability, promoting wise use of Alaska’s natural resources, and strongly opposing gay rights and abortion. Senator Leman was an advocate for fiscal responsibility through adopting and following a five-year plan to reduce State spending by $250 million. A fierce social conservative, he also led efforts to require parental notification for teens seeking to have abortions and sponsored a 1998 constitutional amendment that banned same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. Supporters of legal recognition for same-sex marriage typically refer to such recognition as marriage equality....
. He was also active on the multi-state Energy Council, Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission and Pacific States Legislative Task Force. In addition he has taught the Alaska constitution and legislative process to Boys and Girls State delegates, “Winning Women” seminars and has been a guest lecturer to high school and University of Alaska students.
During his four years as Lieutenant Governor Leman led Alaska’s Faith-Based & Community Initiatives, to develop synergies between government and Alaska’s faith communities. After barely one year of existence of this initiative, the White House recognized Alaska as a “role model State” for its FBCI achievements. Lieutenant Governor Leman has spoken in many forums on the role of people of faith in politics and community service. He also represented the State as one of seven commissioners on the Denali Commission, a unique State-federal cooperative effort to improve health care, energy, transportation, economic opportunities and workforce development, primarily in rural Alaska.
There was some speculation that Leman might run for governor in 2006, either challenging Frank Murkowski
Frank Murkowski
Francis Hughes Murkowski is an American politician and a member of the Republican Party. He was a United States Senator from Alaska from 1981 until 2002 and the eighth Governor of Alaska from 2002 until 2006.- Early life and career :...
in the primary or running for an open seat if Murkowski retired. Leman planned an announcement in February 2006, but postponed the news to talk more to his family about the decision. In May 2006, Murkowski announced his plans to run for reelection. A few days later, Leman declined a run for the office (saying Murkowski's decision was only one of many factors) and also opted out of a second term as lieutenant governor. Republican Sean Parnell
Sean Parnell
Sean R. Parnell is an American Republican politician who is the tenth and current Governor of Alaska. He succeeded Sarah Palin following her resignation, and was sworn in at the Governor's Picnic in Fairbanks on July 26, 2009...
took the seat that Leman left vacant.
Loren Leman has long maintained an avid interest in transportation improvements in Alaska. He has managed projects to improve airports, was an early supporter of the Alaska Aerospace Development Corporation’s launch facilities on Kodiak, served on the Board of Directors of the Challenger Learning Center in Kenai
Kenai
-Places:* Kenai, Alaska, a city in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska* Kenai Peninsula, a large peninsula in south-central Alaska* Kenai River, a river on the Kenai Peninsula* Kenai Mountains, a mountain range in Alaska* Kenai Fjords National Park...
and as the national chairman of the Aerospace States Association, an organization of Lieutenant Governors and Governor-appointed delegates from space ports and academia who advise Congress on aviation and space issues. He was also a sponsor of legislation to enable the Alaska Railroad
Alaska Railroad
The Alaska Railroad is a Class II railroad which extends from Seward and Whittier, in the south of the state of Alaska, in the United States, to Fairbanks , and beyond to Eielson Air Force Base and Fort Wainwright in the interior of that state...
to complete its most recent track realignment and improvement project from Ship Creek to Wasilla. He has championed road, port and harbor, and building improvements and served on the Legislature’s Deferred Maintenance Task Force in the mid-1990s, identifying more than $1.4 billion in infrastructure improvement needs.
Loren Leman’s other work history includes consulting civil/environmental engineering and fishing. A registered civil engineer
Civil engineer
A civil engineer is a person who practices civil engineering; the application of planning, designing, constructing, maintaining, and operating infrastructures while protecting the public and environmental health, as well as improving existing infrastructures that have been neglected.Originally, a...
in Alaska, his engineering work during the past 33 years has spanned the entire State, from Ketchikan to Kotzebue
Kotzebue
Kotzebue is the name of the following people:*August von Kotzebue, dramatist*Otto von Kotzebue, navigatorKotzebue is also the name of a place:*Kotzebue, Alaska*Kotzebue Sound...
, Unalaska to Wasilla to Yakutat. In 1999 then Senator Leman was nominated by the Alaska Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers, and went on to win the national Civil Government award from ASCE, the world’s premier civil engineering society, for his work in improving education, developing resources and improving transportation in Alaska.
Loren Leman was raised in a commercial fishing
Commercial fishing
Commercial fishing is the activity of catching fish and other seafood for commercial profit, mostly from wild fisheries. It provides a large quantity of food to many countries around the world, but those who practice it as an industry must often pursue fish far into the ocean under adverse conditions...
family in Alaska, watched his father operate a fish trap during Territorial days, before this fishing method was outlawed by referendum in 1959, and subsequently has worked the family salmon setnet operation on Cook Inlet
Cook Inlet
Cook Inlet stretches from the Gulf of Alaska to Anchorage in south-central Alaska. Cook Inlet branches into the Knik Arm and Turnagain Arm at its northern end, almost surrounding Anchorage....
near Ninilchik. He has also longlined for halibut in Cook Inlet and harvested herring roe on kelp in Prince William Sound
Prince William Sound
Prince William Sound is a sound off the Gulf of Alaska on the south coast of the U.S. state of Alaska. It is located on the east side of the Kenai Peninsula. Its largest port is Valdez, at the southern terminus of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System...
.
Loren Leman was raised in Ninilchik
Ninilchik, Alaska
Ninilchik is a census-designated place in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 772.-Geography:...
, where he graduated from high school in 1968. He received his Bachelors’ degree in Civil Engineering
Civil engineering
Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works like roads, bridges, canals, dams, and buildings...
from Oregon State University
Oregon State University
Oregon State University is a coeducational, public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and a multitude of research opportunities. There are more than 200 academic degree programs offered through the...
in 1972 and Masters degree in Civil/Environmental Engineering from Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
in 1973. He has also studied Arctic Engineering at the University of Alaska Anchorage
University of Alaska Anchorage
The University of Alaska Anchorage is the largest school of the University of Alaska System, with about 16,500 students, about 14,000 of whom attend classes at Goose Lake, its main campus in Anchorage....
.
Loren and his wife Carolyn have three children—Joseph, Rachel, and Nicole.
External links
- Office of the Lieutenant Governor – official website as of April 24, 2006, when Leman was still in office (through Internet ArchiveInternet ArchiveThe Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...
) - Alaska's Digital Archives – Photo of Leman, 1968, with Ernest GrueningErnest GrueningErnest Henry Gruening was an American journalist and Democrat who was the Governor of the Alaska Territory from 1939 until 1953, and a United States Senator from Alaska from 1959 until 1969.-Early life:...
and Tom Anderson. Leman and Anderson were Alaska's William Randolph HearstWilliam Randolph HearstWilliam Randolph Hearst was an American business magnate and leading newspaper publisher. Hearst entered the publishing business in 1887, after taking control of The San Francisco Examiner from his father...
scholars for Alaska that year.