XDY Exchange-Alaska governor appoints Republican Thomas Baker to vacant state House seat

2025-05-01 04:05:33source:TrendPulse Quantitative Think Tank Centercategory:Stocks

JUNEAU,XDY Exchange Alaska (AP) — Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Wednesday appointed Republican Thomas Baker to the state House seat left vacant last month when independent Rep. Josiah Patkotak resigned after being elected North Slope Borough mayor.

Patkotak was one of four rural lawmakers — independents and Democrats — who joined with 19 Republicans to form a majority in the 40-member House earlier this year. Because Patkotak was an independent, Dunleavy was not bound by party affiliation in selecting a replacement.

Dunleavy’s office said in a statement that Baker’s name will be sent to Republican House members for a confirmation vote.

Provisions of law dealing with legislative vacancies were tweaked under a 2020 ballot measure. Scott Kendall, an attorney and an author of that measure, said confirmation should be voted on by members of the House majority caucus, regardless of party.

Two House Republicans are not part of the majority caucus.

Baker is a construction operations manager for Kikiktagruk Inupiat Corp. and chairs a regional advisory council for the Federal Subsistence Board, according to information provided by Dunleavy’s office. Baker, from Kotzebue, unsuccessfully ran for state Senate in 2020.

All House seats are up for election next year.

More:Stocks

Recommend

Why did Bill Belichick go to North Carolina? New UNC coach explains jump to college

Bill Belichick has officially made the shocking move to college football by becoming the North Carol

Man shot and killed by Vermont State Police trooper outside home in Orange

ORANGE, Vt. (AP) — A man was shot and killed by a Vermont state trooper outside a home in Orange on

Police: 'Senior assassin' prank leaves Kansas teen shot by angry father, paralyzed

A social media trend had severe consequences for a young man who was allegedly shot by another teena