![]() ![]() The parties split control of key leadership positions and committees and elected Edgmon as speaker. Edgmon was elected as a Democrat, but changed his party affiliation to Independent before his election as speaker. Although Republicans had a 23-16 majority with one independent, a coalition of 15 Democrats, four Republicans, and two independents elected Bryce Edgmon (I) as House speaker on February 14, 2019. Republicans won 23 seats, Democrats won 16 seats, and a Democratic-aligned independent won another race. Ī similar period of deadlock occurred after the 2018 elections. With Rasmussen and Tarr serving independently, the coalition caucus was left with 20 members and the Republican caucus with 18 members. Geran Tarr (D) broke away from the coalition branch on February 18, also choosing to vote independently of either group. Sara Rasmussen (R) said that she would serve as an independent Republican and not join either the coalition or Republican blocs of the House. This gave the group a 21-member majority. After initially not saying whether she would join the coalition, which included Stutes, the chamber's 15 Democrats, and 4 independents, Merrick joined it on February 15. Kelly Merrick (R) broke with the Republican caucus and voted for Stutes. On February 11, 2021, Stutes was elected speaker of the House in a 21-19 vote. Kevin Meyer (R) who had filled the role of presiding officer since the legislative session began. Josiah Patkotak (I) as speaker pro tempore, taking over for Lt. After several other nominations for temporary speaker ended in ties, the House elected Rep. When the 2021 session began on January 19, House members adjourned shortly after an attempt to elect a temporary speaker failed in a tie vote (leadership candidates need at least 21 votes to be elected in the 40-member House). Pruitt's attorney, Stacey Stone, said Pruitt would not pursue any further actions to challenge the results. On January 8, 2021, the Alaska Supreme Court denied Pruitt's challenge and confirmed Snyder's victory. If the lawsuit had been successful, Republicans would have had a governing majority of 21 members after Stutes left the Republican caucus. Pruitt filed the suit on December 10 to challenge the election results in his race against Liz Snyder (D). Lance Pruitt (R) filed had the potential to affect control of the House. ![]() Louise Stutes (R) announced support for the coalition group on December 9, legislators were split evenly into 20-member factions.Īfter Stutes' left the Republican caucus, the outcome of a lawsuit Rep. Usually, the majority party selects the presiding officer. Though Republicans maintained a 21-seat majority in the House after the November 3 elections, it was unclear whether they would take control of the chamber or if the multi-partisan coalition that had controlled the House since 2018 would remain in charge. That left both groups without a numerical majority in the 40-member House. Sara Rasmussen (R) and Geran Tarr (D), said they will not join either the coalition or Republican caucuses. However, two legislators who voted with the coalition caucus to select committee members, Reps. ![]() Members voted 22-17 on a plan of organization that placed coalition members at the head of House committees.
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