The 34th Alaska Legislature began on Tuesday, with Kenai Peninsula senators and representatives swearing in and taking their seats on the first day of the 2025 session.
Peninsula legislators taking oaths of office on Tuesday were Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski; Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna; Rep. Bill Elam, R-Nikiski; and Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer. Each won election to their seat during the Nov. 5 general election.
Ruffridge on Tuesday said that he’s eager to start working with his colleagues to identify solutions to the important issues facing Alaska, including a budget deficit, an ongoing energy crisis affecting Southcentral and stabilizing education funding.
“I’m ready to roll up my sleeves to do what is necessary for the betterment of Alaskans,” he said. “We are at a critical point where we must find a path forward on these issues vital to the future of our state.”
On Wednesday, Bjorkman said that he’s honored to represent the people of the Kenai Peninsula and ready to work towards “safer roads, effective schools, and securing affordable and reliable energy.”
“There is much to do and I’m happy to work on behalf of Kenai Peninsula families to help our communities prosper,” he said.
Elam said Wednesday that swearing into the legislature for his freshman session was a “humbling experience.”
“I’m honored to be able to serve my community,” he said. “I’m excited to be getting to work and hopeful that we can come together and do something good for Alaska.”
Vance did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.
During separate sessions of the Alaska Senate and Alaska House, Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom administered oaths of office to each of the new and returning senators and representatives. She credited both groups for their commitment to their constituents and to the State of Alaska.
The House, Dahlstrom noted, for the first time in Alaska history is made up of more women than men, with 21 women sitting as representatives this session to 19 men.
The Senate elected by unanimous consent Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, as Senate president and Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, as Senate president pro tempore. Stevens’ district also includes the eastern side of the Kenai Peninsula.
Stevens called for civility and cooperation in the Senate, which has organized with a 14-member majority and six-member minority.
“Each of us represents 36,000 adults and children, conservatives and liberals, voters and nonvoters,” Stevens said. “We may disagree, but we can avoid being disagreeable. We all know we have work to do, work to accomplish together enormous tasks and challenges ahead of us.”
The House elected by unanimous consent Rep. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, as speaker pro tempore. Like Stevens, Stutes’ district includes the eastern Kenai Peninsula. The election for speaker of the House was not unanimous, with 21 votes in favor of Rep. Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, overcoming 19 votes against. Each of the three lawmakers from the Kenai Peninsula — Ruffridge, Elam and Vance — voted against Edgmon’s nomination.
Like Stevens, Edgmon called for the body to come together to face their “unique responsibility.” He noted that the group is, broadly, “fairly young.” He said that of the 40 members of the House, 23 are in only their first or second session.
“I see that as a great opportunity,” he said.
For more information about the Alaska Legislature, visit akleg.gov. To view livestreams of the proceedings, visit ktoo.org/gavel.
This story was updated twice on Wednesday, Jan. 22, to add comment from Sen. Jesse Bjorkman and from Rep. Bill Elam.
Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.
State Sens. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski; Matt Claman, D-Anchorage; Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau; and Sen. James Kaufman, R-Anchorage, are sworn in by Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom during the opening day of the 34th Alaska State Legislature on Tuesday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
