Congressman Don Young gave his full-throated support to his former staff member Rep. Josh Revak, who was appointed by Gov. Michael Dunleavy to Senate Seat M:
“Josh Revak is not only a great patriot, but he is a man of great character. During his tenure in my Anchorage office, Josh’s dedication and service to Alaskans was evident. Josh is an exceptional Alaskan, a combat veteran, loving father and husband, and an important member of the community. I am confident that he will continue to be a valuable asset to the State of Alaska,” Young said in a statement.
Alaska House Minority Leader Lance Pruitt added his voice of support for Revak.
“Representative Revak is another extremely qualified combat veteran that has served his country and his district honorably,” Pruitt said. “The residents of District M have gone more than 50 days now without any representation in the Senate. I hope that the Republican leadership will end their ill-advised holdout and confirm Rep. Revak so the legislature can move forward with the people’s business.”
The man who was spurned by six Senate Republicans, Rep. Laddie Shaw, also said he was pleased with the appointment:
“Josh won a Purple Heart for his service to our country, and I know him to be the kind of selfless leader that any Alaskan should want to represent their interests,” Shaw said. “There is absolutely no good reason on this earth that he should not be confirmed for this seat, and I look forward to calling him ‘My Senator’.”
Revak enlisted in the U.S. Army shortly after Sept. 11, 2001. He was deployed to Iraq deployed to Iraq in May, 2003 with 1-37 Armor, 1st Armored Brigade, 1st Armored Division, under the leadership of Major General Martin Dempsey. He was again deployed to combat in January, 2006 and was severely wounded by an enemy mortar attack June 26, 2006.
In 2009, he was hired by Congressman Don Young as a military and veterans affairs liaison. In 2016, he was hired by Senator Dan Sullivan to work in the Anchorage office, where he was assigned to issues relating the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans affairs.
