Bipartisan Coalitions Secure Leadership of 35th Alaska Legislature
Republican Cathy Giessel and Independent Calvin Schrage will lead the Alaska Senate and House, respectively, as part of a bipartisan governing coalition.
A bipartisan coalition of senators and representatives announced the leadership for the 35th Alaska State Legislature on November 5 and 6, 2026. Republican Cathy Giessel will serve as Senate President, with Republican Louise Stutes as Senate Majority Leader and Democrat Bill Wielechowski as Senate Rules Chair. In the House, Independent Calvin Schrage will take over as Speaker, succeeded by Republican Chuck Kopp as House Majority Leader and Independent Rebecca Himschoot as House Rules Chair.
The leadership arrives as Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins is on track to win the governor's race, potentially creating a coalition trifecta between the executive and legislative branches. The bipartisan groups identified shared priorities including the revival of a public pension system for teachers and employees—previously vetoed by Governor Mike Dunleavy—stabilizing education funding with inflation adjustments, and implementing election reforms.
Fiscal management remains a central focus. Giessel emphasized a balanced approach to state spending despite high oil revenues, stating the leadership will not go on a "spending spree." She also called for a feasibility analysis of the Alaska LNG project. Schrage noted that while oil revenues have increased due to the U.S. war on Iran, the state must still address fiscal instability and high energy costs. He anticipated the need for supplemental budgets to resolve challenges inherited from the Dunleavy administration. Final election results are expected to be certified by November 25.
