JUNEAU -- Senate Democrats have named Sen. Berta Gardner as their new leader, while Rep. Chris Tuck will continue for another session as leader of House Democrats. Both are from Anchorage.
The Senate Minority Caucus this year will include Sens. Donny Olson, D-Golovin, and Dennis Egan, D-Juneau, who last session were members of the Republican-led Majority Caucus.
Democratic committee assignments will include Olson on the Finance Committee, as well as the Community and Regional Affairs Committee. Egan will serve as a member of the Transportation Committee he chaired last session and will continue as a member of the Legislative Council.
Other Democratic committee assignments include the Rules and Education Committees for Gardner, the Health and Social Services and Labor and Commerce committees for Sen. Johnny Ellis of Anchorage, and the Judiciary, State Affairs and Resources committees for Sen. Bill Wielechowski of Anchorage.
In the House, Tuck will continue as minority leader, a position he assumed mid-session last year when Juneau's Beth Kerttula took a fellowship at Stanford.
House Democratic spokesman Mike Mason said Rep. Max Gruenberg, D-Anchorage, will continue to serve as whip for the minority, the caucus' No. 2 position, while Rep. Geran Tarr, D-Anchorage, will be floor leader.
Minority committee assignments announced so far include Reps. Les Gara of Anchorage and David Guttenberg and Scott Kawasaki of Fairbanks on the Finance Committee. Tarr and Rep. Andy Josephson, also of Anchorage, will serve on the Resources Committee.