Keith H. Miller graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Washington in 1952 and served in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. He established a holly farm and a collection agency before joining the Internal Revenue Service in Anchorage, Alaska. Miller served in the Alaska House of Representatives and as Secretary of State, later becoming Governor of Alaska. During his tenure, he completed the sale of Prudhoe Bay land leases, generating significant revenue, and proposed an investment fund for oil royalties, which evolved into the Alaska Permanent Fund. Miller also lobbied for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, facing legislative and judicial challenges.

Keith H. Miller's political career is marked by a distinctive blend of economic pragmatism and environmental stewardship, particularly in his advocacy for oil-based infrastructure. Miller's proposal for an investment fund from oil royalties, which eventually led to the Alaska Permanent Fund, reveals an ideological agility in balancing resource extraction with long-term financial security. His unwavering support for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, despite significant opposition, underscores a strategic focus on leveraging regional resources to drive economic growth. Miller's actions in selling Prudhoe Bay land leases for a substantial sum further illustrate a calculated approach to maximizing state revenue from natural resources.