Rural Alaska blog: The Village : (UPDATE) Democrats confirm Neal Foster as the new Nome rep

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Rural blog: The Village

(UPDATE) Democrats confirm Neal Foster as the new Nome rep

Posted by thevillage

Posted: November 15, 2009 - 1:47 pm

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Nome City Councilman Neal Foster passed the final hurdle toward today replacing his father as the region's new representative in the state House.

House Democrats voted by a secret ballot at the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage to confirm Foster for the job, said Rep. Mike Doogan. Democrats had previously recommend Foster, Ralph "Weaver" Ivanoff and Sam Towarak for the seat. Ivanoff and Towarak are both from Unalakleet.

Gov. Sean Parnell announced last Tuesday that he'd chosen Foster from the list, but the appointment still had to be approved by a majority of Democrats. That's what happened today.

Richard Foster died of a heart attack in October. While the elder Foster had a "D" by his name, he regularly voted with Republicans. The question for his son: Which side he'll choose once he's sworn in?

UPDATE: Just talked to Foster, who says he'll caucus with the Democrats.

I asked if that could mean less funding for the region, given that rural Democrats who team-up with the Republican majority may be in line to get more money for local projects.

As the son of a 21-year state lawmaker and regional leader, Foster said he's built good relations on both sides of the aisle.

“I’m really hoping … that will help to continue to keep the funding in our district at least the current levels," he said.

He'll serve the remainder of his father's term, about one year, and is already planning to run for re-election next year.

Trivia: Foster's a pilot who flies a Cessna 172 and is a hardcore distance runner. He plans to do "Goofy's Race and a Half" this January at Disney World -- a half-marathon on Saturday followed by a full marathon (26.2 miles) on Sunday.

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