Alaska Senate Coalition Names Leaders for 35th Legislature
The bipartisan coalition has set its leadership slate, with full membership and committee chairs to follow once all races are final.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Legislative Policy
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The Alaska State Senate Bipartisan Coalition will continue into the 35th Alaska State Legislature, with Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, named Senate President. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, is named Majority Leader, and the leadership slate includes two Republicans, two Democrats and one Independent.
Why it matters
The announced leadership reflects a cross-party arrangement in the state Senate that will shape how legislation and committee work are organized in Alaska. Full membership and committee chairs remain pending until the remaining races are certified.
The coalition's leadership comprises two Republicans, two Democrats and one Independent, with Giessel serving 14 years in the Senate. Full membership and committee chairs will be announced after ranked-choice tabulation, which is scheduled for November 18.
The players
Cathy Giessel
Cathy Giessel is a Republican state senator from Anchorage who has served 14 years in the Alaska Senate and will become Senate President.
Louise Stutes
Louise Stutes is a Republican state senator from Kodiak who has been named Majority Leader of the coalition.
Bill Wielechowski
Bill Wielechowski is a Democratic state senator from Anchorage who has been named Rules Chair.
Jesse Kiehl
Jesse Kiehl is a Democratic state senator from Juneau who has been named Finance Chair.
Bryce Edgmon
Bryce Edgmon is an Independent state senator from Dillingham who has been named Finance Chair.
The details
Giessel, R-Anchorage, will serve as Senate President, while Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, is named Rules Chair and Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, is named Finance Chair. Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, is also named Finance Chair, and Stutes is a Senator-elect.
Timeline
November 18: Ranked-choice tabulation for remaining races is scheduled.
January: Senator Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, retires from state service.
Legislative Context
The coalition was first formed in 2022 under Senator Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, and its continuation extends a cross-party power-sharing model in the Alaska Senate. Stevens is retiring from state service in January, leaving the coalition's next phase to be shaped by its new leadership.
The committee chair assignments will determine which senators oversee rules and finance, the bodies that shape Alaska's budget and how bills reach the floor. Residents tracking state spending will watch these appointments as the new session approaches.
The takeaway
Leadership in the Alaska Senate now rests on a cross-party arrangement that will guide budget and rules decisions in the coming session. Watching final committee assignments will show how the coalition's balance translates into policy.
What happens next
Full coalition membership and committee chairs will be announced after all races are final, with ranked-choice tabulation scheduled for November 18.
Further reading
For more on how state lawmaking is organized, see Legislative Policy coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Must Read Alaska.
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