Thomas_Baker_(Alaska_politician)

Thomas Baker (Alaska politician)

Thomas Baker (Alaska politician)

American politician


Thomas C. Baker (born 1995) is an American politician from Alaska who represents District 40 in the Alaska House of Representatives.

Quick Facts Member of the Alaska House of Representatives from the 40th district, Preceded by ...

Early life and education

Baker was born in Kotzebue, Alaska in 1995 and is the son of lobbyist Andy Baker. He graduated from Kotebue High School in 2013, going on to obtain a bachelor's degree in English from Dartmouth College in 2017.[1][2]

Early career

Baker has served on the Kotzebue city and tribal councils. In 2020, he unsuccessfully ran for the state senate against incumbent Donny Olson. At the time of his appointment to the House, Baker was chair of the regional advisory council for the Federal Subsistence Board and working as a construction manager for the Kikiktagruk Inupiat Corporation.[2]

Legislative career

Baker was appointed on November 8, 2023 by governor Mike Dunleavy to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Josiah Patkotak, who left the House after being elected as mayor of the North Slope Borough.[3] On November 13, Baker was sworn in after being confirmed by House Republicans.[4]

In March 2024, the Legislature passed a resolution introduced by Baker urging the withdrawal of a proposed Bureau of Land Management rule restricting development in large portions of the National Petroleum Reserve—Alaska.[5] This resolution was praised by the members of Alaska's congressional delegation.[6]

On March 18, 2024, after several meetings with the governor over the previous week, Baker voted against overriding Governor Dunleavy's veto of a bipartisan education funding bill, citing the need for other funding in his district and the governor's ability to veto specific funding from the budget regardless.[7] Baker had previously voted in favor of the education bill.[8]

Baker has proposed an amendment to the Alaska Constitution that would allow the Legislature to establish a preference giving priority to rural subsistence harvesters during resource shortages. The measure could bring Alaska into compliance with the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, potentially allowing the state to assume sole fish and game management authority across all of Alaska.[9] This proposal drew support from Alaska Department of Fish and Game commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang, but was criticized Alaska Federation of Natives president Julie Kitka. NANA Corporation and Maniilaq Association issued a joint statement saying that they could not support the proposal and that Baker had not adequately consulted his constituents.[10]

Electoral history

More information Party, Candidate ...
More information Party, Candidate ...



References

  1. "Thomas C. Baker – Senate District T Senator - Republican Nominee" (PDF). Alaska Division of Elections. 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 26, 2021.
  2. Samuels, Iris (November 8, 2023). "Dunleavy selects Republican to succeed outgoing independent member of Alaska House". Anchorage Daily News. Archived from the original on November 15, 2023. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  3. Early, Wesley (November 8, 2023). "Alaska governor names Thomas Baker to fill vacated seat in Legislature". KTOO. Archived from the original on January 10, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  4. Maguire, Sean; Samuels, Iris (March 18, 2024). "Alaska lawmakers fail by one vote to override Dunleavy veto of education bill". Anchorage Daily News. Archived from the original on March 27, 2024.
  5. "Alaska News Nightly: Thursday, April 4, 2024". Alaska Public Media. April 4, 2024. Archived from the original on April 6, 2024.
  6. "2020 Primary Election Summary Report" (PDF). Alaska Division of Elections. August 27, 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 22, 2020.
  7. "2020 General Election Summary Report" (PDF). Alaska Division of Elections. November 30, 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 3, 2023.

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