JUNEAU — The local Democratic Party organization said Wednesday it plans to have a final list of at least nominees to replace Rep. Beth Kerttula by Feb. 4.
Kerttula, a long-term House member, is leaving the state to be a visiting fellow at an oceans institute at Stanford University in California. The fellowship is for one year, with a possible one-year extension.
Tongass Democrats made a public call for applicants for Kerttula's District 32 seat, which includes downtown Juneau and runs from Petersburg to Skagway. Redistricting will shift the district north for the November election.
Nancy Courtney, chair of Tongass Democrats, said in a prepared statement that interested people have until Jan. 27 to submit a letter of intent and resume to a selection committee.
The replacement process is combination of law and tradition.
Courtney said Tongass Democrats would forward its selected list of nominees to Gov. Sean Parnell.
Parnell's selection must be confirmed by all the Democrats in the House, including Bush Democrats who have joined the Republican-led majority House caucus.
By law, Parnell must select a replacement for Kerttula within 30 days of her resignation.
Richard Mauer
Anchorage