Diane E. Benson

Diane E. Benson (born May 10, 1954) is an Alaskan politician, inspirational speaker, video production consultant, published writer and dramatist. In August 2010, she became the Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor for the state of Alaska, defeating three other opponents in the Democratic primary on August 24, 2010. Benson's running mate for Governor was Ethan Berkowitz, who lost in the general election. Benson lost to her Republican opponent by 22% of the vote.

In March 2007, Benson filed in the state of Alaska to make her second bid for the U.S. House of Representatives, but was defeated by Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee "Red to Blue" candidate Ethan Berkowitz in the August 2008 Democratic primary. Benson ran for Alaska governor in 2002 and for U.S. Congress in 2006.

Life and education

According to Benson’s official biography from her website, unlike her older brothers, Diane was born outside of Alaska in Yakima, Washington in 1954, while her mother was being treated for tuberculosis. Of Norwegian ancestry on her father's side and Tlingit ancestry on her mother's side, her tribal identity is T'akdeintaan (Sea Tern crest of the Raven Moiety) and of the Tax’ Hit (Snail House).