ak_gov_LINDAUER
FORMER STATE REP. JOHN LINDAUER
Age: 60 Born: November 20, 1937; Montclair, New Jersey Education: Oklahoma State University, Ph.D. (1964); Arizona State University, B.S. (1960) Military: U.S. Army (1955-57) Family: Married - Dorothy; Two children Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska Religion: Baptist Career: Business consultant (1992-present); Owner/Publisher, various newspapers and radio stations (1985-92); Candidate for Governor (1990); AK House of Representatives (1983-84); Commissioner, Alaska Pipeline (1978); Chancellor, University of Alaska (1976-78); Dean; Murray State University School of Business (1974-76); Economics professor (1964-74) |
• Lindauer was born in Montclair, New Jersey. After receiving his high school equivalency degree, he served in the Army for three years and went to Arizona State University on the G.I. bill. He secured his degree in business administration in 1960 and then continued his studies in economics at Oklahoma State University.
• After earning his Ph.D. in 1964, Lindauer embarked on a teaching career. For the next decade, he taught economics at Occidental and Claremont Colleges, and in 1974, he took a position as dean of the business school at Murray State University in Kentucky. He is the author of numerous books and articles on economics.
• In 1976, Lindauer became the first chancellor of the University of Alaska. Among his accomplishments were picking the Seawolves name and logo and starting the Great Alaska Shootout, which has turned into one of the nation's top pre-season basketball tournaments.
• Lindauer ran and was elected to the Alaska House of Representatives in 1982. As a state legislator, he helped save the Alaska Permanent Fund, the state's oil account which provides dividends to most state residents. He retired after one term and began buying a chain of 10 newspapers and 5 radio sttions serving some of the state's smaller communities. The business failed in 1992.
• In 1990, Lindauer was a candidate for governor as the nominee for the Alaskan Independence Party. When his wife, Jackie, was suddenly diagnosed as terminally ill, Lindauer dropped out of the gubernatorial race. (Lindauer has since married Dorothy Oremus in 1995.) Walter Hickel took his place on the ballot and ultimately was elected governor.
• Lindauer won the GOP nod this year after spending $850,000 of his own money and winning 23% of the vote in the state's open primary. His closest Republican competitor won 16%.