Former Sen. Dave Donley has submitted an application to the Alaska Republican Party to fill the vacancy in Senate District M, a vacancy that came as a result of the sudden passing of Sen. Chris Birch of Anchorage.
[Read: Sen. Chris Birch passes]
Donley said in his letter to party officials that Birch was friend, and that he still mourns his loss. Many have encouraged him to apply for the seat, and because of the short timeframe to apply, he went ahead and did.
Donley is a member of the Anchorage School Board, and is the deputy commissioner at the Department of Administration. He was a legislator for 16 years, serving in both the House (1987-1993) and Senate (1993-2003), where he served as co-chair of Senate Finance.
“I am the only current elected official (Anchorage School Board) representing all of both House Districts 25 and 26 who is a registered Republican. I received over 17,500 votes for School Board (more than 8,500 more than my closest opponent) during the 2017 Municipal Election. I greatly enjoy my current positions and duties and have filed for re-election to the School Board which is of course contingent on the resolution of this matter,” he wrote.
Those interested in being appointed by the governor need to have their completed applications in to the party by 5 pm Sunday, Aug. 18.
The interview and selection process by Republican Party committees for District 25 and 26 will take place at the Alaska Republican Party Headquarters on Wednesday, August 21, 2019, at 7 pm; the interviews are not open to the public.
Tali Birch Kindred, the late senator’s daughter, and Al Fogle have also applied for the vacancy.
Sen. Birch’s daughter applies for vacant seat; so does Al Fogle
