Over the weekend, on November 29, the Alaska State Senate confirmed the appointments of former Speaker of the House Cathy Tilton and former Representative George Rauscher. Tilton and Rauscher were appointed by Governor Dunleavy to fill vacancies left by Candidate for Governor Shelley Hughes and Candidate for Lieutenant Governor Mike Shower.
Tilton will represent District M (Wasilla), and Rauscher will present District O (Sutton). Both Tilton and Rauscher join the Senate Minority Caucus, comprised of 6 Republicans. The new appointments will not affect the Senate Majority Coalition, comprised of 9 Democrats and 5 Republicans.
Senate President Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak) issued the following statement: “I want to welcome newly appointed Senators Rauscher and Tilton and thank them for stepping forward at such an important time for Alaska. We have major work ahead—stabilizing our fiscal outlook, strengthening education, and charting the course for a gasline—and collaboration will be essential. I look forward to working with them during the upcoming legislative session as we take on these challenges together.”