JUNEAU, Alaska — Alaska Rep. Tammie Wilson is resigning from the House and will become a policy adviser in the state health department with a focus on children’s services .
The North Pole Republican announced her resignation on the floor Friday evening during the first week of the new legislative session. She has been outspoken about her concerns with the Office of Children’s Services.
House members from both parties offered kind words about Wilson, calling her a friend, mentor and hard worker.
“This is a real bummer,” Anchorage Republican Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux said.
Wilson’s departure will create a vacancy in the 40-member House. By law, the position will be filled by another Republican. Traditionally, local party leaders send candidates to the governor for consideration. The governor’s pick will be subject to confirmation by House Republicans.
Wilson, who has served in the House for 10 years, was part of a bipartisan House majority last year and served as a House Finance Committee co-chair before leaving the caucus and joining minority Republicans.
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This story has been corrected to show Wilson will be working as a policy adviser.
The Associated Press
