Keith Harvey Miller

Keith Harvey Miller (March 1, 1925 – March 2, 2019) was an American Republican politician from Alaska. Miller was the second secretary of state of Alaska under Walter Hickel. He became the third governor of Alaska after Hickel’s resignation to become U.S. Secretary of the Interior. Under his tenure, Alaska came into sudden wealth after an oil lease sale on the North Slope created a revenue of $900 million. Miller attended and graduated from high school in Bothell. He briefly studied at the University of Idaho before joining the United States Army Air Forces, serving during the last two years of World War II. He was promptly elevated to the position of Governor of Alaska.

Governor of Alaska

Under Governor Miller, Alaska completed the sale of land leases in Prudhoe Bay, which brought a windfall of $900 million. The funds from the oil leases were seven times the state’s budget and seven years after he first proposed an investment fund for oil royalties, Governor Jay Hammond established the Alaska Permanent Fund.

He lobbied extensively for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline.

In 1970, seeking election to a full term, he saw his popularity diminish as his former running mate, Walter Hickel, delayed issuance of the permit to build the pipeline. Egan won the race, 52.4% to 46.1%.

Later career

In 1972, Miller was elected to a four-year term in the Alaska Senate. In 1977, Governor Hammond named Miller to a seat on the Alaska Transportation Commission to serve as its chair. His wife, Jean Cuffel Miller, preceded him in death.