At the first meeting of the Alaska Redistricting Board, well-known Alaska businessman, civic leader, and occasional political leader John Binkley of Fairbanks was elected chair.
The redistricting board is in charge of redrawing the political boundaries for Alaska after the 2020 election. In the background over recent weeks since the board was appointed, the members have been jockeying to see who had the votes to become the chair. Two of the members of the board represent rural Alaska Democrat interests, while the other three represent Fairbanks, Southeast Alaska, and South-central.
Binkley was nominated by board member Bethany Marcum, a move that surprised Nome member Melanie Bahnke. She immediately counter-nominated the other rural representative, Nicole Borromeo. The vote went for Binkley, three to two.
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Suzanne Downing founded Must Read Alaska and served as its editor for many years. Her prolific writing spans nearly every topic meaningful to Alaskans. Before founding Must Read Alaska, she served as editor of the Juneau Empire and as a speechwriter for Governor Sean Parnell.
