JUNEAU — Gov. Mike Dunleavy has named Glenn M. Prax, better known as Mike Prax, to replace Tammie Wilson for the North Pole seat in the Alaska House of Representatives.
The governor’s pick was announced Tuesday in a letter to the Alaska House of Representatives.
“Subject to confirmation by the House Republicans, Glenn M. Prax will hold this office for the remainder of the unexpired term of the 31st Legislature for House District 3,” the governor’s letter said.
Prax said Tuesday night that he was not yet sure when he would travel to Juneau. A majority vote of the House’s Republicans is necessary to seat Prax.
North Pole Republicans had nominated Prax, legislative staffer Tom Studler and former University of Alaska Fairbanks associate vice president Fred Villa to replace Wilson, who resigned in January to take a job with the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. The governor was not required to pick from that list of nominees but has previously said he prefers to follow the wishes of local party officials.
Prax is a one-time Fairbanks City Council member and well-known conservative activist in the Fairbanks area. Dunleavy had previously appointed Prax to the state’s public broadcasting position and will have to resign that seat to become a legislator.
Prax said he was an “active supporter of Gov. Dunleavy during his campaign” and will try to accomplish as much of the governor’s mission as he can.
“I’ll have to get down there and see what is going on and the direction that the House is taking, and then see what can be done,” he said.
Prax described himself as “more libertarian than centrist” when it comes to Republicans but said he has worked with the other Fairbanks-area Republicans before, and while they might disagree on some matters, they can agree on others.
He said he intends to run for reelection if confirmed by the House’s Republicans.