Soldotna Rep. Justin Ruffridge tried to be named House Speaker Pro Tem at the beginning of the legislative session. That didn’t fly. Then he tried to become House Speaker, and that, too, wilted. Now he says he has looped in 17 members of the House into something he is calling a “Freshman Caucus.” It’s like the Bush Caucus only for the people with the least seniority.
The freshman Republican, who has raised eyebrows since arriving in Juneau for his unorthodox moves, has Democrat Andrew Gray of Anchorage alongside him as co-chair of the caucus. Gray is known in Anchorage for his unyielding progressive stances at the Anchorage Assembly, and now represents U-Med district in Anchorage in the Alaska House, while Ruffridge represents Soldotna on the Kenai Peninsula. Ruffridge said anyone in the House who has not served in the Legislature until this year is welcome to join. That means Dan Saddler of Eagle River and Craig Johnson of South Anchorage, both returning to the House after time away, are not welcome.
“Our purpose will be to discuss ideas, debate policy and share those issues most important to the constituents which encompass districts from all over the state. Most importantly, we will continue to build on great working relationships,” Ruffridge said on the House floor.
After he announced the formation of the Freshman Caucus, whose actual number of participants is uncertain and likely fluid, the Democrats all pounded their desks enthusiastically, with former Speaker Louise Stutes banging her desk almost as loudly as she used to bang the gavel when she was the Democrat majority speaker. It appears there may be as many as 12 participants in the caucus, rather than the 17 Ruffridge hoped for. Meetings will not be open to the public.
Of the 17 who could be included, eight are Democrats and seven are Republicans, with the other two being Democrat-loyalist no-party members. That puts Ruffridge in charge of a Democrat-majority group, even while he is a member of the Republican-led majority.
Ruffridge’s announcement created chatter among longtime capital observers when he announced the caucus. But whether the caucus has more to do with soft-power bowling leagues or will try to be a stiff political force remains to be seen.
