Rep. John Lincoln, D-Kotzebue, left, has his picture taken with Rep. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, by Rep. Geran Tarr, D-Anchorage, as Rep. Justin Parish, D-Juneau, watches in the House chambers on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Rep. John Lincoln, D-Kotzebue, left, has his picture taken with Rep. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, by Rep. Geran Tarr, D-Anchorage, as Rep. Justin Parish, D-Juneau, watches in the House chambers on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Lincoln sworn in as newest Alaska House member

By Becky Bohrer
Wednesday, January 31, 2018 2:58pm
News

The newest member of the Alaska Legislature has been sworn in.

State Rep. John Lincoln of Kotzebue was sworn in Wednesday, one week after being appointed by Gov. Bill Walker. He was later confirmed by House Democrats.

State law requires legislative vacancies be filled by someone from the same party as the predecessor. Election records show Lincoln switched from “undeclared” to Democrat on Jan. 22.

Lincoln succeeds former Rep. Dean Westlake, who resigned in December after female aides accused him of unwanted touching and inappropriate comments. Westlake has said he is sorry if he made anyone uncomfortable.

Lincoln is a vice president for NANA Regional Corp. He also is a pilot and has worked as an EMT for the Kotzebue Volunteer Fire Department, according to a bio from Walker’s office.

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