They may be in the extreme minority, but the newly formed Alaska Senate Republican Caucus is intent on empowering the “private sector to drive growth, streamline government to better serve Alaskans, and deliver a budget that is both balanced and sustainable.”
These are the words of GOP Caucus Leader Sen. Mike Shower (Wasilla), who will serve as Senate Minority Leader when the Legislature gavels in next month.
The six-member minority caucus also includes Sen. Robb Myers (Fairbanks), who will take the role of Senate Minority Whip. Other members are Senator-elect Mike Cronk (Tok), Sen. Shelley Hughes (Palmer), Sen. James Kaufman (Anchorage) and Senator-elect Rob Yundt (Wasilla).
While self-identified “Republicans” technically enjoy a 11-9 majority in the upcoming Legislative session, five of those Republicans opted to abandon their GOP colleges to form a “bi-partisan” majority that empowers Democrats and leftist priorities while effectively marginalizing conservative voices and concerns.
Those Republicans who rejected a GOP majority caucus include Senators Gary Stevens (Kodiak), Cathy Giessel (Anchorage), Kelly Merrick (Eagle River), Jesse Bjorkman (Nikiski), and Bert Stedman (Sitka). Each of these lawmakers were rewarded with influential positions and key committee assignments for the 34th session of the Alaska Legislature.
The majority caucus leadership structure will have Sen. Stevens as Senate President, Sen. Giessel as Majority Leader, Sen. Wielechowski (D-Anchorage) as Rules Chair and Sen. Merrick as Majority Whip. Sen. Stedman will join Democrat Senators Lyman Hoffman (Bethel) and Donny Olson (D-Golovin) as chairs of the Finance Committee, and Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson (D-Anchorage) will serve as Legislative Budget & Audit Chair.
Other committee chair assignments for majority caucus include the following.
— Community & Regional Affairs: Sen. Kelly Merrick (R-Eagle River)
— Education: Sen. Löki Tobin (D-Anchorage)
— Health & Social Services: Sen. Forrest Dunbar (D-Anchorage)
— Judiciary: Sen. Matt Claman (D-Anchorage)
— Labor & Commerce: Sen. Jesse Bjorkman (R-Nikiski)
— Resources: Sen. Cathy Giessel (R-Anchorage)
— State Affairs: Sen. Scott Kawasaki (D-Fairbanks)
— Transportation: Sen. Jesse Bjorkman (R-Nikiski)
— Legislative Budget & Audit: Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson (D-Anchorage)
— Legislative Council: Vice-Chair, Sen. Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak)
— Joint Armed Services: Co-Chair – Sen. Scott Kawasaki (D-Fairbanks)
— Special Committee on World Trade: Sen. Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak), Sen. Cathy Giessel (R-Anchorage)
— Special Committee on Arctic Affairs: Sen. Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak), Sen. Cathy Giessel (R-Anchorage)
The minority Republicans will have committee assignments, they won’t have power to control the flow of legislation or what bills are selected to be discussed and voted on in committee.
While it is highly improbable the minority could convince Republicans in the majority to return to the fold, they have extended an open invitation to “any senator who wishes to join in opposing government expansion and advocating for common sense solutions for Alaska.”
“Our caucus is focused upon small-government, conservative principles that a majority of Alaskans support,” Sen. Myers noted. “We look forward to working with members of all caucuses who share our commitment to sustainable and responsible budgets.”
3 Comments
Great news to hear that so many Alaska Republicans reject partisan, MAGA policies and are working across the aisle with Democrats and Independents. This is how to get acceptable policies outside of the lunatic fringe.
Put the pipe down, … again … David.. The Alaska Republicans do not “reject” what you are labeling “MAGA policies”..
Alaskan Republicans do not reject making Alaska great again in order to make America great again. We know the importance of our state in the big picture. What we have seen of the fruit of the Democrat influencers nationally is exactly what has happened temporarily in our state. Democrats are entitled and basking in their newfound importance while Republicans are working for a reduction of the size of government, to attend to a balanced budget, and to spend where Alaskans can be helped the most. The influence of the fringe Democratic policy will not be a permanent fixture here.