Politics

Ivy Spohnholz confirmed as replacement for former Rep. Max Gruenberg

JUNEAU — Alaska House Democrats have confirmed Ivy Spohnholz to replace former Anchorage Rep. Max Gruenberg, who died in office last month.

Gov. Bill Walker announced Tuesday that he'd picked Spohnholz from three candidates nominated by Anchorage Democrats.

Spohnholz was subject to confirmation by a majority vote of House Democrats. That vote was announced Wednesday morning, and the House Democratic minority will officially introduce Spohnholz at a news conference Thursday.

Spohnholz said Tuesday she hopes to arrive in Juneau Wednesday night.

She said she's not sure whether she will keep her job with the Salvation Army. But she plans to seek re-election later this year.

"I think that I'm looking at this for the long term," she said.

Nathaniel Herz

Anchorage-based independent journalist Nathaniel Herz has been a reporter in Alaska for nearly a decade, with stints at the Anchorage Daily News and Alaska Public Media. Read his newsletter, Northern Journal, at natherz.substack.com

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