Mike Gravel
Maurice Robert "Mike" Gravel (May 13, 1930 – June 26, 2021) was an American Democratic politician. He was member of the Libertarian Party from 2008 to 2010 when he re-joined the Democratic Party. He served as a United States Senator from Alaska (1969-1981) and, previously, as member of the Alaska House of Representatives (1953-1966, speaker from 1965-1966). Gravel was a two-time presidential candidate in 2008 and in 2020.
Mike Gravel | |
|---|---|
 | |
| United States Senator from Alaska | |
| In office January 3, 1969 – January 3, 1981 | |
| Preceded by | Ernest Gruening |
| Succeeded by | Frank Murkowski |
| 3rd Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives | |
| In office January 25, 1965 – January 22, 1967 | |
| Preceded by | Bruce Kendall |
| Succeeded by | Bill Boardman |
| Member of the Alaska House of Representatives from the 8th district | |
| In office January 23, 1963 – January 22, 1967 | |
| Preceded by | John S. Hellenthal |
| Succeeded by | Michael F. Beirne |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Maurice Robert Gravel May 13, 1930 Springfield, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | June 26, 2021 (aged 91) Seaside, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic (before 2008; 2010–2021) Libertarian (2008–2010) |
| Spouse(s) |
Rita Martin
(m. 1959; div. 1981)Whitney Stewart (m. 1984) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Assumption College American International College Columbia University (BS) |
| Signature |  |
| Website | Campaign website |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1951–1954 |
| Rank |  First Lieutenant |
Early years
changeGravel was born in Springfield, Massachusetts. He studied at Assumption College, American International College and at Columbia University. He moved to Alaska in 1956.
Senate years
changeFrom 1953 to 1966, Gravel was a member of the Alaska House of Representatives. From 1965 to 1966, Gravel was Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives. In 1969, he was elected United States Senator from Alaska.
Gravel is best known for his successful effort to end military draft during the Vietnam War and put the Pentagon Papers into the public record in 1971. He was seen as a possible running mate for George McGovern's 1972 presidential campaign.
Gravel lost to Clark Gruening in the Democratic Party for re-election in the 1980 Senate election.
Presidential campaigns
change2008
changeAs a candidate for the Democratic Presidential nomination in 2008 he wanted withdrawal of US Armed Forces from Iraq, more health care and social security, and preventing global warming. He is also one of the earliest and the most famous supporters of direct democracy in the United States.
2020
changeOn March 19, 2019, Gravel created an exploratory committee to run for President once again in the 2020 election.[1] He said he would run not to win the nomination, but to raise awareness of bigger issues.[2] On April 2, 2019, Gravel filed to officially run for office.[3][4] He dropped out of the race on July 31, 2019 after failing to qualify for the debates.[5] He endorsed Bernie Sanders and Tulsi Gabbard for President on August 5.[6] His campaign manager was a 17 year old high school student.[7]
Death
changeGravel died on June 26, 2021 at his home in Seaside, California from multiple myeloma at the age of 91.[8][9]
References
change- ↑ "Mike Gravel for President Exploratory Committee" (PDF). FEC.gov. March 19, 2019. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
- ↑ @MikeGravel (March 19, 2019). "I am considering running in the 2020 Democratic primary. The goal will not be to win, but to bring a critique of American imperialism to the Democratic debate stage. The website (mikegravel.org ) is under construction. Official announcement will be in the coming days" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ↑ Gravel, Mike [@MikeGravel] (April 2, 2019). "It. Is. On. Sen. Mike Gravel has officially filed to run for president. Our only aim is pushing the field left by appearing in the Democratic debates. Donate as little as you like, but help us get to the necessary 65k donors! Official launch is April 8" (Tweet). Retrieved April 3, 2019 – via Twitter.
- ↑ "Statement of Candidacy" (PDF). docquery.fec.gov. 2019.
- ↑ Forgey, Quint (August 2, 2019). "Gravel and his campaign teens end presidential run". Politico. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
- ↑ Resnick, Gideon (5 August 2019). "Mike Gravel to Formally Endorse Bernie Sanders' Campaign". thedailybeast.com. The Daily Beast. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
- ↑ "Mike Gravel on the issues, in under 500 words". Axios. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
- ↑ Clymer, Adam (June 27, 2021). "Mike Gravel, Unconventional Two-Term Alaska Senator, Dies at 91". The New York Times.
- ↑ Power, Chris (June 27, 2021). "Mike Gravel, gadfly senator from Alaska with flair for the theatrical, dies at 91". The Washington Post.