In an effort to ensure the Mat-Su is represented in key leadership and committee assignments in the Alaska State House, GOP party chairs are urging lawmakers to hold off on these critical decisions until after they confirm two new Mat-Su representatives.
In a Nov. 29 statement, Mat-Su GOP district chairs Amy Demboski (District 26) and Casey Campbell (District 29) congratulated the confirmation of Cathy Tilton to serve in Senate District M and George Rauscher to serve in District O.
Both were formerly members of the Alaska House, serving Mat-Su constituents. Earlier this month, however, Gov. Mike Dunleavy nominated them to fill vacancies created by the resignations of longtime Mat-Su Senators Mike Shower (R-Wasilla) and Shelley Hughes (R-Palmer).
Now that Tilton and Rauscher are moving to the State Senate, their House seats are empty and must be filled in the coming weeks.
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“With these appointments, there are now two vacancies in the Alaska House from the Mat-Su,” the Nov. 29 statement from the Mat-Su GOP District chairs notes. “Districts 26 and 29 wasted no time and have scheduled special meetings on December 7, 2025, at the Best Western Lake Lucille Inn; D29 will meet at 1p.m. and D26 will meet at 4 p.m. to vet candidates and forward nominations to the Governor to fill these vacancies.”
The district chairs expressed optimism that Gov. Dunleavy would “expeditiously” forward his nominations to State Legislature for quick approval.
“As the Chairs of these districts, we have come together to encourage the House Republicans to wait until these seats are filled to reorganize and make committee assignments,” the District chairs added. “Failure to do so would result in both of our districts unnecessarily being unrepresented in crucial decisions that could have massive impacts on the next legislative session, our region, and our constituents.”
They added that there is “plenty of time to take up organization before the next legislative session; thus, we request House Republicans allow our representatives to be part of the process that could have a profound impact on all of us.”
1 Comment
It’s very unfortunate that under state law elected officials are allowed to bail on the positions they ran for by resigning in order to seek a different office. This should not be allowed prior to their completing their terms. It is disruptive, it’s poor business and the public losed the representative they chose and must accept a direct appointment. Sarah Palin pulled this stunt and it did not bode well for Alaskans. Let’s make this nonsense illegal.