Rep. Woodie Salmon announces support for Democratic caucus
Chalkyitsik lawmaker refutes claim that he is switching sides
Democratic Rep. Woodie Salmon of Chalkyitsik is disputing a report on Juneau's KINY radio that he's left the Democratic minority caucus to join the Republican led-majority headed by Rep. Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski.
The radio station reported Friday "there's been another Democratic defection to the Republican-controlled majority in the state House."
Tuesday, Salmon denied that.
"The rumors of my defection have been greatly exaggerated," Salmon said in a press release distributed by the Democratic Minority.
Rep. Beth Kerttula, D-Juneau, heads the minority caucus.
"I've had lots of calls and questions since that radio report, and I want people to know that I'm staying put," Salmon said.
KINY attributed its report to Rep. Cathy Muñoz, R-Juneau, but did not quote Salmon himself.
Under the rules of the House, if one more Democrat were to defect to the majority, the majority would get an extra seat on the powerful House Finance Committee.
Muñoz told KINY that that seat would have gone to Salmon, but Salmon already represents the Democrats on that committee anyway.
Republicans hold a 22-18 majority in the House, but have expanded that to 25-15 with the addition of Democratic Reps. Reggie Joule of Kotzebue, Bryce Edgmon of Dillingham, and Bob Herron of Bethel to the majority.
Salmon said he intends to remain with the 15 Democrats, however.
"I've always caucused with the Democrats and I'll be with them again in 2010," Salmon said. "There are always rumors about people changing sides, but it's usually just talk."
The last shift in caucuses came when newly appointed Rep. Neal Foster, D-Nome, joined Kerttula's caucus. His father, the late Rep. Richard Foster, had long caucused with Republicans despite retaining his Democratic registration.
Muñoz did not return a phone call to her legislative office Tuesday.
Alaska has a somewhat unusual system of alliances where coalitions crossing party lines have often wrested power from nominal majorities. The Senate is currently divided 10-10, but six of its Republican members have joined all 10 Democrats to elect Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, to lead the body.
• Contact reporter Pat Forgey at 523-2250 or patrick.forgey@juneauempire.com.