Bryce Edgmon (born May 3, 1961) is a member of the Alaska House of Representatives, representing the 37th District.[1] He served as speaker from 2017–2021. The district includes all or portions of the Kodiak Island Borough, Aleutians East Borough, Lake and Peninsula Borough, Bristol Bay Borough, and the Yukon–Koyukuk Census Area.[2][3]
Bryce Edgmon | |
|---|---|
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| Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives | |
| In office February 14, 2019 – January 19, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Neal Foster (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Josiah Patkotak (acting) |
| In office January 17, 2017 – January 15, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Mike Chenault |
| Succeeded by | Neal Foster (acting) |
| Member of the Alaska House of Representatives | |
| Assumed office January 15, 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Carl Moses |
| Constituency | 37th district (2007–2013) 36th district (2013–2015) 37th district (2015–present) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 3, 1961 Dillingham, Alaska, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic (before 2019) Independent (2019–present) |
| Spouse | Melody Edgmon |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | University of Alaska, Anchorage (BBA) |
As of 2024, Edgmon is the senior most member of the Alaska House of Representatives.
Early and personal life
editEdgmon was born and raised in Dillingham, Alaska, where he fished commercially for salmon and herring for more than twenty years and where he was a longtime chairman of the board of Choggiung Ltd., the Alaska Native village corporation for the communities of Dillingham, Ekuk, and Portage Creek. Edgmon's birth certificate identified him as three-sixteenths Aleut, and Edgmon was raised in a household that spoke Yup'ik.[4] Edgmon is married to Melody Nibeck, and they have three children: Evan, Emma, and Magy. He currently lives in Dillingham. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Alaska, Anchorage.[5]
Legislative career
editBryce Edgmon challenged incumbent Carl Moses in the 2006 Democratic primary. The election deadlocked in a tie with each candidate receiving 767 votes. Eventually, the tie was settled by a coin toss.[6]
After his party won 17 seats in 2016, two independents and three moderate Republicans decided to caucus with the Democrats, elevating him to Speaker. He is the first Alaskan Native in the history of the state to hold the position.[7][4]
In addition to his duties as Speaker, Edgmon serves as vice-chair of the Health & Social Services Committee and chair of the Committee on Committees. He is also a member of the Commerce, Community & Economic Development; Legislative Council; and Arctic Policy and Economic Development & Tourism Committees for the 30th Legislature.[8]
Prior to the 30th Alaska Legislature, Edgmon was seated on the House Finance Committee, with chairmanships of the Department of Public Safety and Department of Corrections Budget Subcommittees. During the 26th Legislature (2009–2010), Edgmon was co-chair of the House Energy Committee and chairman of the House Special Committee on Fisheries. Additionally, he has served on the Resources and Education Standing Committees and the ADF&G, Revenue, Commerce, and Transportation Budget Subcommittees.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Bryce Edgmon". Ballotpedia. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
- ^ "House District 37 Redistricting Plan" (PDF). Alaska House of Representatives. July 14, 2013.
- ^ "2013 Proclamation House Districts House District 37 Redistricting Plan" (PDF). Alaska House of Representatives. July 14, 2013.
- ^ a b Herz, Nathaniel (December 2, 2016). "For first Alaska Native House speaker, a budget fix is personal". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
- ^ "The Alaska State Legislature". House.legis.state.ak.us. May 3, 1961. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
- ^ Patton, Zach (September 26, 2006). "C'mon, Best Two Out of Three?". Governing. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
- ^ Thompson, Tyler (October 16, 2020). "House Speaker Bryce Edgmon stresses Alaska Native leadership in AFN 2020 keynote speech". KDLG. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
- ^ "House Bryce Edgmon". Anchorage, Alaska: Alaska State Legislature. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
External links
edit- Alaska State House Majority Site
- Alaska State Legislature Biography
- Project Vote Smart profile
- Follow the Money – Bryce Edgmon
- Bryce Edgmon at 100 Years of Alaska's Legislature