Mike Gravel
Maurice Robert Gravel, better known as Mike Gravel (born May 13, 1930) is 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. |
| Political party | Democratic (before 2008; 2010–present) Libertarian (2008–2010) |
| Spouse(s) | Rita Martin (m. 1959; div. 1981) Whitney Stewart (m. 1984) |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | Seaside, California, U.S.[1] |
| 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 yearsEdit
Gravel was born in Springfield, Massachusetts. He studied at Assumption College, American International College and at Columbia University. He moved to Alaska in 1956.
Senate yearsEdit
From 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 campaignsEdit
2008Edit
As 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.
2020Edit
On March 19, 2019, Gravel created an exploratory committee to run for President once again in the 2020 election.[2] He said he would run not to win the nomination, but to raise awareness of bigger issues.[3] On April 2, 2019, Gravel filed to officially run for office.[4][5] He dropped out of the race on July 31, 2019 after failing to qualify for the debates.[6]
ReferencesEdit
- ↑ Rubin, Sara (July 11, 2019). "Watching the Democratic debate with a Seaside candidate for president". Monterey County Weekly. Retrieved August 5, 2019.
- ↑ "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).
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "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.