(ANCHORAGE) - Today the Senate Majority confirmed Charlie Huggins to the vacant seat in Senate District H. Huggins was chosen from a list of three candidates, which included Chugiak resident Rex Shattuck and Mat-Su School Board member Larry DeVilbiss, by Governor Frank Murkowski last week.

Huggins is a retired U.S. Army Colonel who once served at Fort Richardson as its Senior Army Advisor to the Alaska National Guard. Until this week, Huggins worked for the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs as its veterans affairs coordinator. Fellow Mat-Su Senator Lyda Green says, "Charlie will do a fine job representing the needs of Mat-Su Valley constituents."

Senate President Gene Therriault also says, "Senator Huggins will be a strong voice on both veterans and education issues in the senate; I look forward to working with him during the upcoming session."

He replaces Scott Ogan who resigned his senate seat last month to spend more time with his family and to address his health concerns.

Alaska's newest Senator will represent Lazy Mountain, Butte, Big Lake, Chugiak, Peters Creek, Willow, Houston and Talkeetna.

Huggins takes the oath of office in a public ceremony today at 5:00pm at the Anchorage LIO in the 5th floor conference room. Interested media are invited to attend.

For more information contact Senate Majority Press Secretary Jeff Turner at 907.269.0257.

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