Potential shift in balance of power in Alaska legislature debated by lawmakers

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – The outcome of several competitive races in November across the state could disrupt the balance of power in the House and Senate next legislative session.

Education funding and outcomes, defined benefits, and the size of the PFD are just some of the items that — based on the November results — could change in the next session.

One race that could impact the power in the South Anchorage House seat is the District 9 race, which includes the Hillside.

Nonpartisan candidate Ky Holland is leading a heavily Republican field now down to two candidates. The seat was vacated by House majority Republican Laddie Shaw, who announced his retirement earlier this year.

Another competitive race is for the District 15 seat — which includes the Bayshore/Klatt neighborhoods — vacated by House majority member Tom McKay.

In that race, Republican Mia Costello and Democrat Denny Wells are separated by less than 150 votes.

Other Republican incumbents facing tight races are Rep. Julie Coulombe and Rep. Stanley Wright.

With the potential to pick up seats, House minority leader Rep. Calvin Schrage, I-Anchorage, said Tuesday he would like to see a new House majority for the legislature centered around issues including a different way to fund education.

“I see candidates that are doing very well, specifically those candidates that are pro-education and pro-coalition,” Schrage said. “Now, certainly, there are those that are unhappy with candidates or legislators that work together in a bipartisan fashion, and so we see them run against these incumbents. However, in my experience, voters at the end of the day are going to support the candidate that’s willing to solve issues for Alaskan.”

On the Senate side, a three-member, conservative-leaning, non-caucusing Senate minority is looking to build its numbers and challenge the bipartisan Senate majority.

Senate majority members Jesse Bjorkman, Scott Kawaski, and Kelly Merrick all find themselves in competitive races against conservative-leaning candidates.

House majority member Mike Cronk is also looking to win a Senate seat, previously held by Senate Majority member Click Bishop.

Senate minority member Shelley Hughes said she believes Alaskans would like to see a state legislature that is more center-right.

“Voters have been speaking for a number of years by voting a majority of Republicans in both the House and Senate that the state overall would like to see a right-of-center legislature — not far right, but right of center,” Hughes said.

In an email, Sen. Scott Kawasaki said far-right Republicans are desperate to break apart the bipartisan Senate.

Eagle River Republican Senate challenger Jared Goecker, who has said if he beats Merrick, he would not be interested in joining the bipartisan Senate majority the way it is currently configured, calling it not conservative enough.

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