Although the Alaska Senate is made up of 11 elected Republicans and nine Democrats out of the 20-member body, the Democrats are in charge in 2025 once again because of the recent “transRepublican” phenomenon in Alaska, where GOP members align with the opposite party to form a power base.
The Alaska Senate Majority has announced committee chairs for the 34th Alaska State Legislature. That list shows that Sen. James Kaufman of Anchorage, a Republican, is not staying with the 14-member Democrat-led majority this time, as he did when it formed up in 2020.
Other Republicans decided to stay with the Democrats, including Senators Gary Stevens, Cathy Giessel, Kelly Merrick, Jesse Bjorkman, and Bert Stedman.
Bjorkman of North Kenai-Nikiski, Merrick of Eagle River, and Stevens of Kodiak were recently reelected by their districts, which are usual Republican strongholds, but voters did not punish them for staying with the Democrats. Voters also reelected Kaufman of Anchorage this time around, even though he was playing on the Democrat team; he left for reasons of his own, likely due to policy differences involving defined benefits and the binding caucus rule to keep the majority together on the budget vote. Must Read Alaska attempted to reach Kaufman but he is out of the country.
Republicans Stevens will continue as president, Giessel of Anchorage, will continue as majority leader, and Merrick of Eagle River will be majority whip. Finance co-chairs will be split between Democrats Lyman Hoffman of Bethel, Donny Olson of Golovin, and Republican Stedman of Sitka. Democrat Elvi Gray-Jackson of Anchorage will chair the Joint Legislative Budget and Audit Committee. Democrat Bill Wielechowski of Anchorage will continue to be Rules Committee chair. Those make up the leadership positions.
The Republican minority has doubled in size as a result of election of Mike Cronk and Rob Yundt, as well as Kaufman moving back over. It now is made up of six members, rather than the three (Hughes, Shower, Myers), which was such a small super-minority it did not even quality as a minority, under Senate rules.
The new Republican minority consists of:
- Sen. Shelley Hughes, Republican of MatSu
- Sen. Mike Shower, Republican of Wasilla
- Sen. Robert Myers, Republican of Fairbanks
- Sen. James Kaufman, Republican of Anchorage
- Sen.-elect Mike Cronk, Republican of Interior
- Sen.-elect Rob Yundt, Republican of Wasilla
Unlike the last four years, the group will at least have a couple of staff members budgeted to them, likely press and communications people.
Committee chairs for the 34th Alaska State Legislature:
- Community & Regional Affairs: Sen. Kelly Merrick (R-Eagle River)
- Education: Sen. Löki Tobin (D-Anchorage)
- Health & Social Services: Sen. Forrest Dunbar (D-Anchorage)
- Judiciary: Sen. Matt Claman (D-Anchorage)
- Labor & Commerce: Sen. Jesse Bjorkman (R-Nikiski)
- Resources: Sen. Cathy Giessel (R-Anchorage)
- State Affairs: Sen. Scott Kawasaki (D-Fairbanks)
- Transportation: Sen. Jesse Bjorkman (R-Nikiski)
- Legislative Budget & Audit: Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson (D-Anchorage)
- Legislative Council: Vice-Chair, Sen. Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak)
- Joint Armed Services: Co-Chair – Sen. Scott Kawasaki (D-Fairbanks)
- Special Committee on World Trade: Sen. Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak), Sen. Cathy Giessel (R-Anchorage)
- Special Committee on Arctic Affairs: Sen. Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak), Sen. Cathy Giessel (R-Anchorage)
- Full committee membership will be released on the first day of the legislative session once the Committee on Committees finalizes the committee report, the caucus said.
Obviously, I didn’t do my homework on the election of Bjorkman because I never would have voted for him as I do not approve of dems policies. Would someone explain to me this “staying with the Democrats” garbage. If I would have wanted a democrat, I would have voted for one. I feel very duped by Bjorkman!
It’s unfortunate that there are so many uninformed voters, please let this be a lesson for you in the future and make sure you are informed before casting a vote for any candidates.
Steve-O, spot on. Do not vote if you are not informed.
Jesse Bjorkman represents the teachers’ unions. He is a full-time teacher in the Kenai Borough School District and may be on a sabbatical. But he really represents the NEA/AFT unions. Pay attention.
I wrote a full explanation for you on this website a few weeks ago. Many thanked me for the insight. Sorry you missed it. Bjorkman ALWAYS made excuses for the late Gary Knopp’s switcheroo while with me on the air, as well as the binding caucus and RCV (which he has since tepidly disowned). Look it up and learn the other details.
That’s two more in the minority than last year.
The next plus is Hoffman retires in two years.
Yea, Jessie can spell Republican but he only is a conservative Republican during campaigning time. Those who during the campaign time shouted it out were labeled as liars. You could have BEN CARPENTER.
Tip if the Democrats Fail to find a candidate to run and you have 2 Republican running….odd are one of the candidate is the Democrats pick. That saves a lot of money for the Democratic party.
In D8 we held many meet and greets for Carpenter where he clearly stated he would never caucus with the Dems. Jesse clearly explained he would caucus with whichever side had the most Republicans. Now the minority has 6 of the 11 Mr. Bjorkman, I am glad you are a man of your word and will step back across the isle. A 7 member minority is recognized, and can have a strong influence.Be courageous, be truthful Senator Bjorkman we implore you.
Senator Kaufman, thanks for lining up with the minority. You can do good things helping short stop Defined Benefits. What will be the long-term costs to Alaskans?
I didnt vote for Kaufman on account of his choices He made in 2020 hanging on to Democrats shirt tails.