Two Alaska State House seats are now in the process of being filled after back-to-back appointments to the Alaska Senate created vacancies in House Districts 26 and 29.
Two Republican Party District committees met this weekend to review applications and advance recommendations to Gov. Mike Dunleavy, who has the constitutional authority to appoint replacements, subject to confirmation by House Republicans.
The vacancies stem from a cascade of appointments triggered by members of the Legislature stepping down to run for higher office. Former Rep. Cathy Tilton of Wasilla was appointed in November to the Alaska Senate to replace Shelley Hughes, who is now running for governor. Tilton’s move left House District 26 without a representative.
Five people applied to fill Tilton’s House seat for District 26:
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Donna Anthony, tribal police chief for Chickaloon
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David Boyle, co-director of Alaskans4PersonalFreedom. Withdrew before vote taken.
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Nancy Campbell, political activist
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Sean McPeck, veterinary surgeon with the U.S. Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment
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Stephan St. Clair, former legislative aide to Rep. Tilton
The district committee forwarded the names of McPeck, St. Clair, and Anthony to the governor.
A similar process unfolded earlier in the day in House District 29 after Rep. George Rauscher of Sutton was appointed to the Senate to complete the remaining term of Sen. Mike Shower, who is running for lieutenant governor. The District 29 Republican committee met and advanced three names to Gov. Dunleavy:
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L.D. Howard, Officer with the Chickaloon Police Department
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Garrett Nelson, political activist
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John James, former police officer
Dunleavy is expected to make his selections in the coming days. Once he names his appointees, House Republicans in Juneau will hold confirmation hearings and vote on whether to seat them. Both appointments will serve the remainder of the 34th Legislature.
5 thoughts on “Alaska District 26 and 29 Republicans forward names to governor for vacant House seats”
Judging By their occupations a whole list of government dependents
They all personally cant afford to cut the government
Matsu is going blue whether or not you see it. These candidates are supposedly supposed to be its best.
Republicans are losing their strongholds because of your members are government dependents. They know nothing else but be a yes man, when they have no building skills like an entrepreneur does.
Yes. Despite the critical service of police officers and the important work they can do. Yes. They are a government dependent. Just as guilty as the common office government employee always bargaining for more like 37-50 dollars an hour isn’t enough! Many Alaskans are working for less!!! Unions shouldn’t be allowed to be in government. Because it’s not the elected leaders money to be bargaining. It’s the taxpayers, legislators have never earned it, it’s not profit money because of they created a product and sold it.
You sound like you “depend” on the Government, you also sound like an idiot- go take a nap.
Sean McPeck owns Tier 1 Veterinary Hospital in Palmer next to the highway. Successful entrepreneur that has to budget, make payroll, and care for Valley pets. Not government-dependent. Facts matter.
For those who have never had the opportunity to meet Garrett Nelson he exemplifies the Christian, family values, limited government conservatism and independent spirit of the Glenn Hwy and Palmer-Fishhook region of the valley. He was a primary skeptic and eventually opponent of the Chickaloon Tribes’ desire to gain added policing powers a couple years ago in his position on the Sutton Community Council. From being an Idaho rancher in his youth to a provider for his large young family from his private sector job, we would be blessed to have his as our new Representative for District 29.