National Affairs: Alaska's Senator?

Most Alaskans assumed that as the territory passed into statehood, Governor (by presidential appointment) Mike Stepovich, 39, would stay (by election) right where he is, in Juneau's 30-room executive mansion. The assumption had impelling logic. Mike would run in place —a distinct advantage—and, if elected, could exert sweeping appointive powers to seed the new state offices with Republicans. But the new game of politics in an unborn state is not that logical.

For one thing, Governor Mike stands under heavy obligation to Washington architects of Alaska statehood, especially Secretary of the Interior Fred A. Seaton. The Republicans among them have pointedly...