Sam Steiger
Sam Steiger | |
---|---|
Mayor of Prescott, Arizona | |
In office November 23, 1999 – November 21, 2001 | |
Preceded by | Paul Daly |
Succeeded by | Rowle Simmons |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Arizona's 3rd district | |
In office January 3, 1967 – January 3, 1977 | |
Preceded by | George F. Senner Jr. |
Succeeded by | Bob Stump |
Member of the Arizona Senate from the Yavapai County district | |
In office January 1, 1961 – January 1, 1965 Serving with David H. Palmer | |
Preceded by | Charles H. Orme Sr. |
Succeeded by | Boyd Tenney |
Personal details | |
Born | Samuel Steiger March 10, 1929 Rancher |
Military service | |
Branch/service | United States Army |
Battles/wars | Korean War |
Awards | Silver Star Purple Heart |
Samuel Steiger (March 10, 1929 – September 26, 2012) was an American
Early life
Steiger was born March 10, 1929, in
Following college, Steiger was commissioned into the United States Army. Serving during the Korean War as a tank platoon leader, he was awarded the Purple Heart for his actions.[5] After leaving the army, Steiger settled in Prescott, Arizona.[2]
Steiger married his first wife, Cynthia Jean Gardner, in 1954. The couple had three children: twins Lewis and Gail in April 1956, followed by Delia Rebecca in May 1959.[1] His first marriage would end in divorce, as would Steiger's marriage to his second wife, Lynda, in January 1979.[6]
Legislative career
In 1959, Steiger entered politics on a wager. While working as a ranch hand in
After two terms in the statehouse, in 1964, Steiger ran against incumbent
As a congressman, Steiger continued his outspoken ways. During his first term he delivered a speech from the floor of the House claiming it is "an irrefutable fact of life that the elected official is regarded by those who elect him as capable of the most flagrant dishonor," and calling for a "code of ethics" which included "full disclosure of assets, liabilities, honorariums, etc., by members, their spouses, and staff members."[9] Steiger would later claim a number of his colleagues were frequently drunk and that "there are members of Congress you wouldn't hire to wheel a wheelbarrow."[15] As a result of these comments, Interior Secretary Stewart Udall, previously an Arizona congressman himself, labeled Steiger as "a bomb thrower".[16]
Steiger's voting record in the House was staunchly conservative, earning him, in 1974, a zero rating
Steiger was very popular at home. He only faced one close reelection contest, in 1974. That year, he only held onto office by 3,073 votes. He only survived due to a 3,291-vote margin in the district's share of Maricopa County, which had as many people as the rest of the district combined.
Burro shooting
A defining moment for Steiger came in 1975. A herd of about 150
In addition to the official investigation of the incident, Steiger suffered other repercussions. Children picketed outside Phoenix's federal building, carrying signs reading "Steiger joins the murderers of innocent animals", and the once political tiger was re-branded "the jackass killer."[9] The Congressman later observed, "I could find a cure for cancer and they'd remember me as the guy who shot the burros."[24]
U.S. Senate run
In 1976, Steiger decided to run for the
Steiger defeated Conlan in a tight race, but the effects of the primary left him severely wounded in the
Following his unsuccessful run for the U.S. Senate, Steiger attempted to return to the Arizona State Senate in 1978.[28] This was followed in 1982 with him running for governor as a member of the Libertarian Party. His goal during the campaign was to obtain five percent of the vote and establish ballot access for the Libertarian party.[29] He succeeded with 5.1% of the vote, the fourth-best result for any Libertarian gubernatorial candidate.[30] During this time, Steiger saw a steady erosion of his approval. As Prescott Councilman Ken Bennett explained, Steiger was popular in his hometown as a "brash young congressman out in Washington telling people what to do. But they liked him less when he came back here and started telling our people what to do. Sam was the kiss of death in Prescott for a while. His popularity was at an all-time low. But he was back to being a hero with that crosswalk."[31]
Crosswalk caper
In 1986, the Prescott city council decided to eliminate a
Governor's assistant
In 1987, Governor Evan Mecham appointed Steiger as a special assistant overseeing thirteen state agencies. One of these agencies was the Arizona Board of Pardons and Paroles. While working as special assistant, Steiger ordered pardons board member Ron Johnson to vote against requiring the resignation of fellow board member Patricia Castillo. As part of his instructions, Steiger informed Johnson that his appointment as a justice of the peace would be revoked if he did not comply. Johnson did not vote as instructed and Steiger had Johnson's judicial appointment revoked. Johnson responded by contacting Attorney General Bob Corbin who instructed Johnson to record a follow-up conversation between Johnson and Steiger confirming what had occurred.[6]
As a result, Steiger was charged with extortion.[34] Claiming he had been singled out for prosecution due to past differences with Attorney General Corbin, Steiger was found guilty of the charge on April 7, 1988, and sentenced to four years probation, a fine of US$5,500, and 700 hours of community service. Prior to the sentencing over 170 letters had been sent to the court in support of the defendant.[35] On September 21, 1989, the conviction was overturned by the Arizona Court of Appeals. In a 3–0 ruling, the court found the law Steiger was convicted under to be "unconstitutionally vague both because it provided insufficient guidance to those who make demands on others and because it permits arbitrary and discriminatory enforcement."[36]
Later life
In 1990, Steiger changed his party affiliation back from Libertarian to Republican and made a second run for governor.
Steiger then became a local talk show host, his show being broadcast on both radio and television. In addition he published a political newsletter, The Burro Chronicles.[24] In 1999, Steiger ran for Mayor of Prescott, Arizona, on a slow-growth platform.[40] Following a single term in office, he left to return to the private sector.[41] Steiger suffered a stroke on September 20, 2002, that led him to be placed in an assisted living facility.[42][5] He died in Prescott on September 26, 2012.[43]
See also
References
- ^ ISBN 0-8063-0524-X.
- ^ a b Johnson pp. 95
- ^ a b Rushlo, Michelle (April 28, 2000). "Sam Steiger still shooting from the hip, now as mayor of Prescott". Kingman Daily Miner. p. 11A. Archived from the original on September 2, 2021. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
- ISBN 978-0-7425-0181-2.
- ^ a b Reinhart, Mary K. (June 2, 2014). "Former Arizona congressman Sam Steiger dies". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Duncan, Mark (December 12, 1999). "'Kill the Lawyers', unless you need one". The Daily Courier. pp. 1, 15.[permanent dead link]
- ISBN 0-8032-6146-2.
- ^ "Glenn Makes Senate Look Petty: Steiger". Evening Prescott Courier. February 23, 1962. p. 2.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c d e f g Barks, Cindy (December 12, 1999). "'The Tiger' grabs politics by the tail". The Daily Courier. pp. 1, 14–15.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "All Dailies in Dist. 3 for Steiger". Evening Prescott Courier. October 23, 1964. p. 2.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Timberlake, Roger (November 5, 1964). "Voting is Nearly Even for Barry". Evening Prescott Courier. p. 1.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Steiger Uncorks Verbal Poke". Evening Prescott Courier. May 26, 1966. p. 1.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Hill, Gladwin (November 1, 1966). "Democrats Fear Arizona 'Pintos'". New York Times. p. 21.
- ^ Chanberlain, John (November 16, 1966). "Labor Bosses Were Election Casualty". The Evening Independent. p. 12A.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "House Hits Back at Critic Who Chided Colleagues". New York Times. February 6, 1968. p. 25.
- ^ Johnson pp. 96
- ^ a b Lichtenstein, Grace (September 9, 1976). "Arizona Republicans Select Steiger, Slain Reporter's Friend, for Senate". New York Times. p. 33.
- ^ "Steiger honored by national group". The Prescott Courier. December 16, 1971. p. 10.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Hill, Gladwin (November 7, 1974). "Environmental Activists Hail Wide Victories of Their Candidates". New York Times. p. 31.
- ^ "Our Campaigns – AZ District 3 Race – Nov 05, 1974". Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
- ^ "Steiger claims self defense in killing of burros". The Prescott Courier. August 11, 1975. p. 1.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Thompkins, Tomy (August 17, 1975). "Burro shooting part of lengthy hassle". The Prescott Courier. p. 1.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "$76,200 suit filed against Sam Steiger". The Prescott Courier. August 31, 1975. p. 1. Archived from the original on September 2, 2021. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
- ^ a b Kim, Eun-Kyung (November 27, 1995). "Burro chronicles kicks politicos". The Daily Courier. p. 1B. Archived from the original on September 2, 2021. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
- ^ a b "Arizona Shootout". Time. September 20, 1976. Archived from the original on June 8, 2008.
- ^ Lichtenstein, Grace (October 28, 1976). "Arizona Polls Show a Democrat Leading Steiger in Senate Race". New York Times. p. 48.
- ^ "Deconcini Bumps Steiger". Kingman Daily Miner. November 3, 1976. pp. 1, 6A.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Waters, Charlie (May 23, 1978). "Steiger challenges Tenney for Senate seat". The Prescott Courier. p. 1.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Millman, Joel (October 20, 1982). "Candidates disagree on secretary of state's role". The Courier. p. 3.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Official Canvas - 1982 General Election" (PDF). Phoenix, Arizona: Arizona Secretary of State. November 1982. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-11-02.
- ^ a b Johnson pp. 97
- ^ a b Holquist, Robert C. (June 4, 1986). "Citizens Cross Council On Walkway". The Courier. p. 1.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b Holquist, Robert C. (June 20, 1986). "Jury acquits crosswalk painter". The Courier. pp. 1, 5.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Aid to governor charged". Eugene Register-Guard. October 17, 1987. p. 3A.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Bully Steiger Sentenced To 4 Years Probation". The Prescott Courier. June 3, 1988. p. 3A.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Court reverses Steiger conviction". Mohave Daily Miner. September 22, 1989. p. 5.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Hostetler, Darrin (July 25, 1990). "Steiger to Libertarians: I Switched". Phoenix New Times. Archived from the original on 2010-07-19. Retrieved 2009-06-21.
- ^ Alexieff, Michael (September 12, 1990). "Symington to face Goddard for governor". The Prescott Courier. pp. 1, 5.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Johnson pp. 99
- ^ Barks, Cindy (August 24, 1999). "Steiger speaks his mind on property rights, other issue". The Daily Courier.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Barks, Cindy (December 28, 2001). "Prescott's first mail-in election seats Mayor Simmons, three on City Council". The Daily Courier. pp. 1, 12. Archived from the original on September 2, 2021. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
- ^ Herbert, C Murphy (September 25, 2002). "Steiger's spirits are high; he's 'doing better' after stroke". The Daily Courier. pp. 1, 13. Archived from the original on September 2, 2021. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
- ^ "5-term Arizona congressman Sam Steiger dies at age 83". The Republic. Columbus, Ohio. Associated Press. September 28, 2012.[permanent dead link]
- Johnson, James W. (2002). Arizona Politicians: The Noble and the Notorious. illustrations by David `Fitz' Fitzsimmons. University of Arizona Press. ISBN 0-8165-2203-0.
External links
- United States Congress. "Sam Steiger (id: S000846)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- "Interview with Sam Steiger" (PDF). (48 KB) from The Morris K. Udall Oral History Project, University of Arizona Library, Special Collections