Governor picks 2 Mat-Su Republicans to fill vacant Alaska House seats

Gov. Mike Dunleavy has appointed two Republicans from the Matanuska-Susitna Borough to fill vacant seats in the Alaska House of Representatives.

The Republican governor made the appointments Wednesday, and the two men may replace Sens. Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, and George Rauscher, R-Sutton, whom the governor previously appointed to fill two vacancies in the Senate.

Both appointees are subject to a confirmation vote of House Republicans.

Stephan St. Clair, a former Tilton aide, is Dunleavy’s choice to fill her vacant seat. He is a retired military police first sergeant and has lived in Wasilla for 15 years, according to a statement from the governor’s office.

Dunleavy picked Garrett Nelson, a salesman and family man, according to his LinkedIn profile, to Rauscher’s seat. He has lived in Sutton for nearly a decade and is chair of the Sutton Community Council.

The appointments come after two resignations in the Senate set off a domino effect of appointments to what are typically elected positions. Sens. Mike Shower, R-Wasilla, and Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, resigned in November to pursue campaigns for lieutenant governor and governor, respectively.

The governor then had 30 days to appoint their replacements, Tilton and Rauscher, who were confirmed by Senate Republicans.

The governor then had until Dec. 29 to select his picks to replace them.

The legislative session begins on Jan. 20.