Gov. Mike Dunleavy has named fellow Republican Thomas Baker of Kotzebue to fill the Alaska House seat vacated by Josiah Patkotak.
The seat became vacant after Patkotak was elected as the mayor of North Slope Borough. He was the representative of House District 40 which encompasses the entire northern part of Alaska that extends across to the Northwest Arctic Borough across the North Slope Borough.
Since Patkotak was classified as non-partisan The governor was free to choose any person from his district irrespective of political affiliation to fill the seat.
Baker is employed by his employer, the Kikiktagruk Inupiat Corporation and previously was a member of the Kotzebue City Council and also on the tribal council of Kotzebue’s Native Village of Kotzebue. Baker was previously a candidate for an Alaska Senate seat Alaska Senate in 2020, losing to Democratic incumbent Donny Olson.
A spokesperson for the governor’s office says Baker’s nomination is subject approval by the state’s House Republicans. However, attorney Scott Kendall, who authored the state law that governs appointments and appointments, says Baker will require being confirmed by Alaska House majority caucus, which comprises 19 Republicans and 2 Democrats as well as an independent.
