From Sean Cockerham in Anchorage –

State Senate Minority Leader Gene Therriault is resigning from the Legislature for a job in the Parnell administration. He will become Parnell’s “senior policy adviser on Alaska energy.”

A statement from Gov. Sean Parnell’s office said that the North Pole Republican’s “new position will bring greater focus, coordination, and analysis related to development of Alaska’s vast energy resources.”

"I am asking Senator Therriault to help us achieve success in bringing more of Alaska’s energy resources – of all kinds – to Alaskan homes and businesses," Parnell said.

Therriault was closely involved with oil and gas issues in the Legislature, and was perhaps the closest legislative ally for the Palin/Parnell administration. He was the master of ceremonies in Fairbanks last month when Palin stepped down and handed power to Parnell.

Parnell will now appoint a replacement for the massive Senate District F, which runs from North Pole down to Sutton in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, as well as following the Richardson Highway south through Glennallen and Valdez.

If the new appointee doesn’t join the Senate minority, the minority will be down to just three members of the 20-member Senate.