Soldotna Republican Senator Peter Micciche was elected Senate President as the new legislative session began today.
Micciche told KSRM, “Well, it was a long road and I’m thrilled to announce that the Senate is, in fact, organized on the first day of session, which was a particular point that was important to me. All 13 Republican members of the Senate have organized as a unit. We have a leadership team that is flipped on politics and their geographic location.”
The caucus is based upon a “Caucus of Equals” philosophy, recognizing the diverse nature of the group and the districts throughout the state represented by the members. Micciche said, “We’re going to recognize the diverse nature of our group and the districts throughout the state and that people will be able to vote their conscience in a nonbinding caucus. So we’re excited about that. It doesn’t mean that we’re not expected to get everyone across the finish line on a budget, but it does mean that we are expecting folks to engage so we can bring everybody across the finish line at the end. What I think is most important about this group is a lot of caucuses in the past have gotten stuck in that Juneau bubble. We’re going to pop that bubble and we’re going to have very direct discussions during these tough times with Alaskans to find out what’s most important to them and be open to their ideas on how to solve those issues”
The six-member Senate Majority leadership team includes:
- Senate Majority Leader Shelley Hughes;
- Senate Majority Whip Mia Costello;
- Senate Rules chairman Gary Stevens;
- Senate Finance co-chairs Bert Stedman and Click Bishop; and
- Senate President Peter Micciche
The Associated Press reports that Micciche’s election as Senate president was held by voice vote, with no one dissenting.