Alaska Politics Blog : Palin picks Grussendorf for Senate seat

Alaska Politics Blog

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Sean Cockerham

Sean Cockerham writes about Alaska state politics. He's worked for the ADN in Anchorage and Juneau, covered the legislature for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, and covered Washington state politics for the Tacoma News Tribune. E-mail Sean at scockerham@adn.com

Kyle Hopkins

Kyle Hopkins covers rural affairs, general assignments and politics for the ADN. He covered the 2006 campaign for governor, has blogged extensively about Alaska politics, covered Anchorage city government and was a reporter based in the Mat-Su. He grew up in Southeast Alaska and previously wrote for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner and Anchorage Press. E-mail Kyle at khopkins@adn.com and also find him on our rural Alaska blog, The Village.

David Hulen

David Hulen, the ADN's state and local news editor, is responsible for political coverage. He has been an editor and reporter at the ADN for more than 20 years. E-mail David at dhulen@adn.com

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Alaska political corruption

When the FBI raided state legislature offices in Aug. 2006, it publicly launched an investigation that ultimately reached the highest levels of Alaska politics, and continues to this day.

Palin picks Grussendorf for Senate seat

Posted by Alaska_Politics

Anchorage Daily News

Posted: March 29, 2009 - 12:29 pm

We now have a full story on the ADN homepage.

***

From David Hulen in Anchorage --

Gov. Sarah Palin today announced Tim Grussendorf, a legislative aide from Juneau, is her a choice to replace Kim Elton in the Alaska Senate.

Grussendorf is chief of staff for Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel. Now he must be approved by a simple majority of the nine Senate Democrats currently seated.

In picking Grussendorf, Palin is rejecting Rep. Beth Kerttula, D-Juneau, the only name recommended to the governor by southeast Democratic leaders after Elton resigned to take an Interior Department position with the Obama administration in Washington, D.C.

Earlier this month, Palin invited other applicants to apply, saying she thought there were many qualified Alaskans.

Grussendorf is the son of former House Speaker Ben Grussendorf of Sitka, who now sits on the state Board of Game.

Look for a longer story later in the day. Here's the governor's full announcement:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 09-68

Governor Names Grussendorf to Senate Seat

March 29, 2009, Juneau, Alaska - Governor Sarah Palin today named Tim Grussendorf as her designee to replace Kim Elton as the state senator from District B, representing the City and Borough of Juneau.

Grussendorf has worked as a commercial fisherman and serves as chief of staff to Alaska State Senator Lyman Hoffman. He is currently president of the Southeast Alaska Fishermen’s Alliance and a board member of the Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association. Grussendorf is active in the Juneau community, volunteering his time to coach soccer and basketball teams. He is the assistant basketball coach at Floyd Dryden Middle School.

Grussendorf’s father, Ben Grussendorf, was a representative from Sitka and served as Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives.

“Tim’s solid credentials and thorough understanding of the issues facing our state will serve his constituents well,” Governor Palin said. “I am confident he will be able to hit the ground running.”

Governor Palin said she appreciates the interest shown by so many qualified applicants for the position.

“It is encouraging so many dedicated Alaskans stepped forward to offer their services to the constituents of District B and the State of Alaska,” said Governor Palin. “I’m confident the good people of our capital city can look forward to Tim joining Representatives Kerttula and Munoz in fine service.”

Grussendorf is married with two teenaged sons who are involved in Juneau sports teams. He must be confirmed by a simple majority of Senate Democrats.