Tony Knowles

Democrat Tony Knowles served as Governor of Alaska from 1994 to 2002. He was previously the Mayor of Anchorage from 1982 to 1987.PBS: Tony Knowles

After fighting in the Vietnam War with the U.S. Army, Knowles received his degree from Yale University in 1968. He then moved to Alaska, where he worked on an oil field and opened restaurants. In 1975, Knowles began a four-year term in the Anchorage Assembly.PBS: Tony Knowles

Knowles was elected as the Mayor of Anchorage in 1981 and took office the following year. He served until 1987. Knowles became the Governor of Alaska in 1994 and worked to reform education. He also took a strong stance to protect the environment, suing the Environmental Protection Agency over concerns of air pollution.PBS: Tony Knowles

After his second term as Governor ended in 2002, he unsuccessfully ran for a Senate seat in 2004. He ran again for Governor in 2006, but was defeated by Sarah Palin, the current Governor and Republican presidential candidate John McCain's running mate.