Alaska Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, announced Wednesday that he will not seek reelection to the state Legislature, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family. The announcement comes a week after the adjournment of the 32nd Alaska Legislature, where Micciche served as Senate president.
Micciche has represented District O, which includes the northern half of the Kenai Peninsula, since 2013. In the 10 years he’s spent in the Legislature, Micciche has served on every Senate standing committee, special committee and finance subcommittee. He is also a former member of the Soldotna City Council and a former mayor of Soldotna.
Micciche told the Clarion on Wednesday that his vision for what Alaska can become has not diminished and said the word “retirement” is “not a part of (his) vocabulary.” This summer, Micciche said, free time with his family and friends will be his biggest priority, but that his family will stay committed to public service.
“Particularly the last two years I feel like my girls are growing up without me,” Micciche said. “They need their daddy and my family comes first.”
When asked Wednesday if the move marked him saying goodbye to public office, Micciche said “absolutely not.” Micciche said he’s already received a few job offers, but that he plans to spend the summer tackling a “honey do” list and spending time with his family and friends.
“We’ll plan our future after some well-deserved relaxation over the summer,” Micciche said, adding that he’s already received a few job offers.
In a written statement released Wednesday, Micciche pushed back on claims that there are other reasons he will not seek reelection.
“Folks may want to speculate that there are other reasons I am not running,” Micciche said in the release. “There are none.”
Others who have already filed to run for the seat currently held by Micciche include Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s former chief of staff Tuckerman Babcock, and Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly member Jesse Bjorkman, who is also a teacher at Nikiski Middle/High School.
“I appreciate the hard work and service to the Peninsula from Senator Micciche,” Babcock said in a Wednesday statement. “After ten years of service, I wish him the best in the next adventure.”
Micciche thanked his family for their support of his political endeavors and his constituents for backing him during elections over the years. He made clear in Wednesday’s statement that he and his staff will remain available to constituents until the 33rd Alaska Legislature is sworn in in January.
“I look forward to seeing (community members) at the park and Fred Meyer as I spend the summer doing the same family things that they’ll be doing,” Micciche said.
Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.
