Patkotak elected Speaker Pro Tempore

While the Alaska Senate has already organized and been conducting business with floor sessions and committee meetings for the last two weeks, the Alaska House of Representatives got one step closer to organizing on Thursday with the nomination of freshmen legislator Josiah Patkotak from Utqiagvik as Speaker Pro Tempore.

“For a freshman to step up and accept a leadership challenge as such this speaks volumes for Rep. Patkotak’s willingness to serve,” said Rep. Steve Thompson (R-Fairbanks). “All Alaskans should welcome this vote of confidence placed in him.”

Lieutenant Governor Kevin Meyer had been presiding over the House floor sessions over the last two weeks where every nomination has received a split 20-20 vote. Patkotak was nominated by Mike Cronk, a Republican Representative from Fairbanks.

“I was truly honored to be able to nominate a friend such as Josiah,” Cronk said. “Over the last three weeks, I’ve gotten to know him better. He’s an honorable man and the right person to help break the stalemate toward electing a House Speaker.”

On Friday, the House again failed to elect a speaker after Republican Steve Thompson of Fairbanks was nominated.

“I really appreciate the support from the Republican caucus, and I’m very humbled they nominated me for Speaker of the House,” Thompson said. “I am ready to serve the caucus and the House. I hope we can get the legislature moving because we have work to do.”

The vote to confirm Patkotak was 39-0.