Career
Stevens graduated from the Arizona State University 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 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.
Read more about this topic: Ben Stevens
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