Senate President Cathy Giessel told media members today that she’s a “yes” vote on Rep. Josh Revak to succeed Sen. Chris Birch for District M.
Giessel was a “no” vote on Rep. Laddie Shaw, who was Gov. Michael Dunleavy’s first choice to fill the role as senator, after Birch died unexpectedly this summer. Must Read Alaska has learned that Senate Rules Chair John Coghill is also on board.
Revak did not make the short list of finalists after being interviewed by his district Republicans, but he is the representative for one of the two House districts within District M, and he was chosen by Dunleavy after the Senate Republicans turned down Shaw.
Senate Republicans will meet with Revak on Nov. 2 for his official interview, but having the Senate president and Rules chair come out publicly in favor of him will allow him to confidently lobby other Republican senators for their votes.
[Read: Giessel pulls pin out of grenade on Rep. Laddie Shaw]
