Democrats in the Alaska Senate were first to announce that they are in the minority, with the 13 Republicans in the Alaska Senate organizing a majority.
The organization makes Peter Micciche of Kenai the Senate President. Micciche has been working with Republicans since August to try to keep the diverse group of senators, representing wildly different constituencies, together to form an organization.
At 10:45 am, the Senate was preparing to gavel into session with Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer presiding, and then the process of taking a vote for a Senate leader will take place.
Update: The vote for Peter Micciche as Senate President was taken and there was no objection.
10:50 am: The swearing in ceremony has begun in the Senate, and senators are doing their oath of office in groups.
This story will be updated as more positions in the Senate organization are assigned.
“We had many conversations with members of the Senate, but unfortunately, some of those members will not put party politics aside in favor of working with Democrats in a bipartisan fashion for an Alaska agenda that seeks to help all of us recover from the difficulties of this past year,” said Senate Democrat Leader Tom Begich of Anchorage. “Our state faces great challenges and we must put political difference aside.”
He added that getting 11 votes on a budget would not be an easy task for the Republican Majority.
The Senate Democrats have re-elected Tom Begich as the Senate Democrat leader.
