Wasilla representative named to Finance Committee in state House

Wasilla’s Republican Rep. Elexie Moore will join the influential House Finance Committee when the 2026 state legislative session convenes Jan. 20. Moore succeeds Palmer’s Rep. DeLena Johnson, who is leaving the committee after five years to become the House Minority Leader.

Republicans in the state House affirmed caucus leadership positions Jan. 9 and adjusted committee assignments as the 34th Alaska Legislature prepares for its second session to start. Johnson, a veteran Mat-Su legislator, was approved as minority leader and Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, was chosen as the House Republican minority whip. Both Johnson and Ruffridge will also join the House Energy Committee.

Ruffridge will also join the House Tribal Affairs Committee, and Johnson will also serve on the House Rules Committee. In other changes, Rep. Mike Prax, R-Fairbanks, will join the House Resources Committee. New Mat-Su House members Rep. Steve St. Clair, R-Wasilla, and Rep. Garret Nelson, R-Sutton, will both serve on the House Transportation and Community & Regional Affairs committees. St. Clair will additionally serve on the House State Affairs Committee. The new committee assignments must be confirmed through adoption of the Committee on Committees report after the Legislature convenes on Jan. 20.

Rep. Julie Coulombe, R-Anchorage, will join the Legislative Budget & Audit Committee, a joint House-Senate committee, after her name is forwarded to the Speaker of the House for ratification.