Anchorage Daily News

If Sean Parnell could no longer serve as lieutenant governor, Corrections Commissioner Joe Schmidt would replace him. Gov. Sarah Palin recently appointed Schmidt to fall behind Parnell in the line of succession, said Bill McAllister, her director of communications. Under state law, she must tap someone from her Cabinet to succeed Parnell should the office of lieutenant governor became vacant. Talis Colberg held that position when he was attorney general. He resigned earlier this month.

If both Palin and Parnell left office early, Schmidt would become governor.

Schmidt started in the prison system back in 1988 as an officer at Spring Creek Correctional Center. Before he became commissioner, he was superintendent of the Point MacKenzie Correctional Farm.

Last year the Alaska Correctional Officers Association voted against him in a "no confidence" measure. But Palin stood behind him and called him a reformer.

Schmidt and Palin go way back. They went to high school together in Wasilla. McAllister said he didn't have information Friday on why she appointed him to the line of succession.

The Legislature still must confirm Schmidt's new place.

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