March 2, 2009

Thanks for the memories

By former Senator Kim Elton

I've made a very difficult decision. I've decided to leave my job as state senator from District B and accept a position in President Obama's administration.

The stark choice was to serve my community and state by staying in the state senate, or serve my state and nation by accepting the position of Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Interior for Alaska Affairs.

The decision to move to Washington, D.C. and accept such a dramatic change turned on two core issues: the department's mission is fundamental to Alaska's future; and discussions with the department's leadership team made it clear they are focused not just on maintenance but progress.

Well over two thirds of Alaska land mass falls under the purview of the department's agencies. The department is involved in subsistence, offshore oil leases, endangered species, Bureau of Indian Affairs services, national parks and refuges, and other issues that directly define our future as a nation and state. The chance of being part of this stewardship and growth team in the new administration, in the end, was simply too great to pass up.
     I did not seek this job. The short history is I was contacted shortly after the first of the year and asked if I'd consider moving to Washington. After a long discussion with Marylou, I responded I would, but only if the job took advantage of what I've learned about Alaska over decades of public service. Then, about the middle of January, the Secretary of Interior designate, then-Senator Ken Salazar, offered me the job I later accepted. The White House vetting process was lengthy but finished last week.
     I've discussed the job and how I will view my new role with the offices of Alaska's two U.S. senators and Congressman Young and I've met twice with the governor's office: once a couple weeks ago to let them know that rumors about my departure might be true; and then Friday to let them know the rumors had become true. The governor now has 30 days to appoint my replacement and the nine remaining Senate Democrats must then accept her nominee. Traditionally, the members of the local party will forward a name or names to the governor for the governor's consideration and the Juneau Democrats will do so.
     This can be a smooth process that should take far less than 30 days. Rep. Beth Kerttula is seasoned, smart, and tireless. I hope the governor recognizes that Alaskans will be well served by quickly promoting Rep. Kerttula to the Alaska Senate. She has served Juneau in the legislature for the past 10 years and much of the success I've had in the Senate has been because of her help in the House. She has also served Alaska in the Department of Law and has extensive experience in oil and gas issues--issues that will determine the arc of Alaska's future.
     Until a new senator is seated, the Senate majority has agreed to keep all of my staff in place to work on constituent issues and to track and work on legislation that is before the legislature. My staff person for the Senate Education Committee, the committee I chaired, and my staffer for the Senate Finance Committee that sets policy through the budget will continue on. My chief of staff will continue to make the office work in my absence as she has while I've been here, and my other staffer will continue to coordinate and work with constituents. All of them can be reached at this email address or 465-4947.
     Finally, thanks. Thanks to my legislative colleagues who taught me so much and made public service so easy, thanks to my staff who made me effective and appear to be more intelligent than I sometimes felt, and thanks to my constituents who made working on their behalf a pleasure not a job and gave me their trust by electing me twice to the CBJ Assembly, twice to the House, and three times to the Senate.
     But, most importantly, thanks to Marylou. Her support has buoyed me through the years and her compassion has softened many of my rough edges. Anything good I've done would have been impossible without her standing next to me. Because she's excited about our next challenge, I, too, am excited.