It’s been nine weeks since Alaska newcomer and Rep.-elect Jennifer Armstrong won her race for the Alaska House of Representatives, and three weeks since the case was heard in court that challenged her legitimacy to serve, since she missed the legal residency qualification deadline.
Still, no decision has been issued from Superior Court Judge Herman Walker Jr.
The Anchorage Democrat won on Nov. 8 over Republican Liz Vazquez for House District 16, West Anchorage. Vazquez and others in the district then challenged in court the certification of that victory by the Division of the Elections.
The hearing was Dec. 22, but now, just 12 days before the Legislature is set to convene, the judge has issued no ruling, which gives the plaintiffs no time to appeal his ruling before Armstrong would be sworn in on Jan. 17.
Armstrong had not been a resident in the state for three years before filing for office, Vazquez and her fellow plaintiffs say. The proof is in a social media post by Armstrong saying she was visiting, as well as in a fishing license application she made as a non-resident, and when she registered to vote.
Armstrong is hoping to become the first “pansexual” legislator to be sworn in in the Alaska House of Representatives.
