(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - Newly elected District 36 State Representative Dan Ortiz (I-Ketchikan) was welcomed Wednesday as the newest member of the House Democratic Caucus. Ortiz ran as an independent candidate without party affiliation and according to today's announcement, he chose to join the House Democratic Caucus in part because of the freedom the caucus gives its members to vote their conscience.

In a extremely tight-race, Independent candidate Ortiz claimed House District 36 seat with 102 votes over Republican candidate Chere Klein. Klein conceded the race to Ortiz after last Friday's vote count.

“Joining the House Democratic Caucus is the right decision for District 33,” said Rep. Ortiz today. “Unlike the House Majority, the House Democratic Caucus does not bind its members to vote a certain way and as an independent member of the Legislature that’s important to me and the voters who chose to send me to Juneau. I will not be bound by party distinctions and pledge to work in a bi-partisan manner with all members of the Legislature and the new administration of Governor Elect Bill Walker.”

During the campaign, Ortiz stated on his website, "My 'party' will be the good people of Ketchikan, Saxman, Wrangell, Metlakatla, Hydaburg, Hyder, and Loring, Alaska. Government by the people, for the people, is still a simple, but revolutionary concept."

“Rep. Ortiz’s experience as a classroom teacher will be of great value to our caucus as we work to address a growing list of challenges facing the State of Alaska including how best to fund and improve our vital public education system,” said Minority Leader Chris Tuck. “I believe the addition of Representatives Claman, Wool and Ortiz will bring new life and energy to our Caucus as we work with the administration to set a new path forward for Alaska.”

Ortiz will serve as a standing member on the following committees: Community and Regional Affairs; Transportation; Economic Development, Trade & Tourism; and Fisheries.

There are 40 members of the Alaska House. The addition of Rep. Ortiz means the House Democratic Caucus now numbers 13-members. Other new members of the Democratic Caucus include District 21 Representative Matt Claman (D-Anchorage) and District 5 Representative Adam Wool (D-Fairbanks). The House Democratic Caucus will be led by Minority Leader Chris Tuck (D-Anchorage) during the 29th Alaska Legislature. Representative Max Gruenberg (D-Anchorage) will remain as the House Democratic Whip. Representative Geran Tarr (D-Anchorage) will serve as the House Democratic Floor Leader.

Ortiz grew up in Ketchikan where he was an educator for 31 years. He’s taught social studies, economics, US history, and Drama, Debate, and Forensics at Ketchikan High School.

Rep. Ortiz joined the other members of the House Democratic Caucus for a meeting Wednesday where they finalized committee assignments for the 29th Alaska Legislature, which begins on January 20th.

Earlier on November 7th, the House Democratic Caucus announced its assignments to the House Finance Committee:

Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage)
Representative David Guttenberg (D-Fairbanks)
Representative Scott Kawasaki (D-Fairbanks)

Assignments to the House Resources Committee were also announced on Nov. 7th:

Representative Geran Tarr (D-Anchorage)
Representative Andy Josephson (D-Anchorage)

The Minority members of the standing committees announced today are:

Rules – Rep. Tuck, Rep. Kreiss-Tomkins
Education – Rep. Drummond, Rep. Kreiss-Tomkins
State Affairs – Rep. Gruenberg, Rep. Kreiss-Tomkins
Resources – Rep. Tarr, Rep. Josephson
Community and Regional Affairs – Rep. Drummond, Rep. Ortiz
Health & Social Services – Rep. Tarr, Rep. Wool
Labor & Commerce – Rep. Josephson, Rep. Kito III
Transportation – Rep. Ortiz, Rep. Claman
Economic Development, Trade & Tourism – Rep. Ortiz, Rep. Wool
Fisheries – Rep. Ortiz, Rep. Kreiss-Tomkins
Energy – Rep. Wool, Rep. Claman
Military & Veterans Affairs – Rep. Tuck, Rep. Gruenberg
Legislative Council – Rep. Kito III
Ethics – Rep. Tuck, Rep. Josephson
Joint Armed Services – Rep. Tarr
Leg. Budget & Audit – Rep. Kito III, Rep. Josephson
Arctic Policy Commission – Rep. Guttenberg

Edited by Mary Kauffman, SitNews

Source of News: 

House Democratic Caucus
www.akdemocrats.org

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Ketchikan, Alaska

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