Steve William Laible

Steve William Laible is a retired U.S. Air Force captain, award-winning children’s author, and 2024 congressional candidate from Oregon. Born in Ashland and raised on the West Coast, his 22-year military career included enlisted and officer service, distinguished assignments with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Pentagon, and Pacific Command in Hawaii. He earned high honors like USAF Outstanding Administrator of the Year and was awarded (but declined) a Bronze Star for Desert Storm service.

After military life, Laible channeled his storytelling into a beloved comedic strip, Stevie Tenderheart, running for five years in local newspapers and reaching an estimated 200,000 readers. This evolved into a popular children’s book series—titles include Stevie Tenderheart My Favorite Place to Be, Wait a Minute!, A Silent Kiss Goodnight, Billy Jack: The Great Escape, Tick Tock, Seven Rules for Parents, and several companion coloring books; in total, he’s authored over 17 Stevie Tenderheart books available in print, eBook, and audiobook formats.

Laible’s writing process is playful and heartfelt—he immerses himself in the child’s perspective, “auditions every word” for humor, warmth, and bedtime coziness, ensuring his stories resonate with both kids and parents. He also champions literacy and kindness through initiatives like the Young Hearts Book Pledge and the Global Kindness Initiative, donating books to foster children, hospitals, and more.

In 2022, he expanded his creative focus by running for Congress in Oregon under the “America the Beautiful” platform, and today he continues to write, advocate, and connect with families nationwide. He lives in the Pacific Northwest with deep West Coast roots and three grown sons.