Sponsor Statement for HB 377

An Act Relating to Filling a Vacancy in the Office of the United States Senator or in an Office in the State Legislature

In the past, vacancies which occurred between normal election cycles, the political party representing the predecessor made "recommendations" for appointment to that seat and the Governor usually made the appointments from that list of recommendations.

Recent history has shown that, at least in some states, this standard of partisan neutrality is being ignored. A governor from Ohio even went so far as to appoint himself to the senate seat. Although this may fall within the boundaries of law, clearly, it is inappropriate to advance your own political career by appointing yourself to higher office.

HB 377 states that the Governor shall make the appointment from a list of at least three qualified nominees submitted by the state organization that represents the political party of the predecessor.

HB 377 ensures that in the event a vacancy occurs in the United States Senate or in the state legislature, the citizens of Alaska who elected the predecessor to office, will continue to have there political philosophy represented by someone of their choosing.