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Ben Stevens, the former Republican president of the Alaska Senate, tragically passed awat after collapsing during a hike with his wife.
“Alaska State Troopers responded to a report of a hiker having a medical emergency with CPR in progress on the Lost Lake Trail in the Chugach National Forest outside of Seward. The hiker was later identified as Ben Stevens, age 63 of Anchorage. Coordinates were obtained and Lifemed was requested to respond. Alaska State Troopers and U.S. Forest Service officers responded to the trailhead. Lifemed reached the scene at 6:41 pm. and lifesaving measures were unsuccessful. Stevens body was transported by Lifemed to Anchorage. Next of kin has been notified,” the release said from the Alaska State Troopers.
Stevens was a prominent Republican. His father, Ted Stevens, was a Republican who represented Alaska in the U.S. Senate from 1968 to 2009 before dying in a plane crash in 2010. Ben Stevens was appointed to the Alaska state Senate in 2001 and served as its president in 2005 and 2006.
In 2018, he took a position as chief of staff for Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy. In 2021, Stevens joined ConocoPhillips Alaska, where he served as the vice president of external affairs and transportation.
Ben Stevens, a former Alaska Senate president and a son of the late U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, has died while hiking in his home state. He was 63. https://t.co/BwEPhbUzch
— CBS News (@CBSNews) October 17, 2022
Ben’s unexpected passing will be felt across all of Alaska. He was a friend of mine and a valued leader of our state. I’m glad to have just had lunch with Ben on Wednesday. I will cherish that time with him.https://t.co/t9AOQdCSaN
— Mary Peltola (@MaryPeltola) October 15, 2022
Earlier this month, Kentucky Republican Sen. C.B. Embry passed away just days after stepping down from the General Assembly.
Auditor Mike Harmon confirmed Embry’s death in a statement.
“I’m saddened to learn of the passing of former State Senator and State Representative C.B. Embry. C.B. made a lifelong commitment to being a servant leader, driven by his faith, his family, and his love of our great Commonwealth,” his statement said, in part.
Kentucky Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell said in a statement: “Elaine and I are heartbroken to learn of the loss of my good friend C.B. Embry. For more than fifty years, until just this week, he dutifully served the people of Kentucky as Mayor, County Judge-Executive, State Representative, and State Senator. I join with the chorus of Kentuckians he touched throughout his long career in mourning his loss.”
The Republican lawmaker from Morgantown submitted his resignation letter last week to Senate President Robert Stivers amid his battle with cancer.
Embry was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives in 2002. He was then elected to the Senate in 2014 and has served on several committees, including his current position as chair of the Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection Committee.
Over the last 50 years, the Republican lawmaker has been elected 12 times to five different public offices.
Earlier this year, Embry announced he planned to step down due to a long battle with cancer. The Republican would undergo cancer treatment during legislative sessions so he was able to cast votes and uphold his duty to his constituents.
“It has been an honor of a lifetime to serve the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the good of the people of District 6,” Embry said in his resignation letter. “During my time in the Senate, I can truly say that I and my colleagues worked each day to make Kentucky an even greater state.”
“C.B. Embry is one of the kindest souls I encountered during my tenure in Frankfort. His dedication to representing his constituents, upholding his duty as a public servant, and sticking to his values are unmatched. Nothing but respect,” Republican communications official Noah Lucas tweeted.
“C.B. Embry is the epitome of a committed public servant who traveled back and forth to Frankfort, scheduling his treatments around our floor and committee activity, @kysenatepres Robert Stivers said.
🧵⬇️ pic.twitter.com/oVLRw20Eyn
— KY Senate Majority (@KYSenateGOP) September 26, 2022
In a statement, Senate President Stivers called Embry “the epitome of a committed public servant”, while House Speaker David Osborne called him an “indomitable advocate for the people of his district.”
“C.B. is the very definition of a servant leader, guided by his faith to be an indomitable advocate for the people of his district,” Osborne said. “That same faith has made him an inspiration as his commitment to family and service has not waivered during this long and arduous battle with cancer. I wish he and Wanda the very best and the comfort of knowing that they are both leaving here after a job well done.”
“While I am saddened to learn that Senator Embry has resigned, I respect his decision as I respect him for his lifelong commitment to bettering our commonwealth,” Osborne said. “It was an honor to serve with him in the House and a privilege to work with him after he was elected to the Senate.”
They don’t make public servants more dedicated than CB Embry. Carlos Brogdon Embry, Jr., is a genuinely decent human being, an elected leader who personally engages daily with his constituents and proudly stands up for them. What a life of service. I’ll miss CB & Mrs. Wanda. pic.twitter.com/Kpumoe3w9f
— Whitney Westerfield (@KyWhitney) September 27, 2022
“Despite undergoing cancer treatment C.B., & his wife Wanda, always made it to Frankfort so he could fulfill his obligations as a State Senator. Both he and Wanda are incredible examples and his constant fight and presence made us better colleagues & a stronger legislative body,” said Kentucky GO state Senator Wil Schroder.
