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Albert Kookesh
Albert M. Kookesh (b. November 24, 1948) is a former Democratic member of the Alaska State Senate, representing District C from 2005 to 2013. He served in the Alaska House of Representatives from 1997 to 2005. Kookesh passed away on May 28, 2021.
Biography
Albert Kookesh earned his B.S. from the Alaska Methodist University in 1971 and his J.D. from the University of Washington in 1976.
Kookesh's professional experience included working in commercial fishing, directing the American Indian Museum Smithsonian Institution, serving on the board of the Sealaska Corporation, owner/operator of Lodge and Market, Business Manager, Executive Vice President, Acting President and Chief Executive Officer for Kootznoowoo, Incorporated and in the Office of the Governor as special assistant for rural affairs.
Kookesh was a precinct chairman and central committeeman of the Alaska Democratic Party.
Committee assignments
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Kookesh served on these committees:
- Community & Regional Affairs Committee, Alaska State Senate
- State Affairs Committee, Alaska State Senate
- Transportation Committee, Alaska State Senate, Chair
- Finance Subcommittees:
- Subcommittee on Commerce, Community and Economic Development
- Subcommittee on Governor
- Subcommittee on Transportation and Public Facilities
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Kookesh served on these committees:
- Community & Regional Affairs Committee, Alaska State Senate
- State Affairs Committee, Alaska State Senate
- Transportation Committee, Alaska State Senate Chairperson
Issues
Sponsored legislation
- Here is a record of the legislation that Senator Kookesh sponsored according to the official Alaska Senate website.
Elections
2012
- See also: Alaska State Senate elections, 2012
Kookesh ran for re-election in the 2012 election for Alaska State Senate District 17 (Q). He ran unopposed in the August 28 Democratic primary and was defeated by incumbent Bert Stedman (R) in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[1][2][3]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican |  Bert Stedman Incumbent |
64.5% | 9,829 | |
| Democratic | Albert Kookesh Incumbent | 35.5% | 5,413 | |
| Total Votes | 15,242 | |||
2008
- See also: Alaska State Senate elections, 2008
In 2008, Kookesh was elected to the Alaska State Senate in District C. Kookesh won by taking 8,256 votes (68.91%). His opponent Rosema Schneeberger finished with 3,628 votes (30.28%).[4] Kookesh riased $31,265 for his campaign fund.[5]
| Alaska State Senate, District C (2008) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Albert Kookesh (D)
|
8,256 | 68.91% | ||
| Rosema Schneeberger (NP) | 3,628 | 30.28% | ||
2010 recall effort
- See also: Recall campaigns in Alaska
A recall effort targeting Kookesh was launched in March 2010 after the Ethics Committee of the Alaska State Legislature found that Kookesh had violated an ethics act. To force a recall election, recall supporters needed to collect the signatures of 1,213 registered voters in District C, or 10% of the votes cast in the district when the seat was last up for election in 2008. Additional steps would follow.[6]
The ethics committee said Kookesh violated a state ethics law when he implied that he would deny state funding to Craig if the Craig City Council voted to oppose the Sealaska Bill. The Sealaska bill that was pending in the Alaska legislature would grant tens of thousands of acres of federal land to the Sealaska Corporation, which is a corporation primarily owned and operated by Native American tribes.[7] Kookesh is the chair of the board of Sealaska.[6]
Campaign finance summary
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Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Kookesh was born in Juneau, Alaska, and raised in his home city of Angoon, Alaska.
Recent news
This section links to a Google news search for the term "Albert + Kookesh + Alaska + Senate"
See also
- Alaska State Legislature
- Alaska State Senate
- Alaska Senate Committees
- Alaska state legislative districts
External links
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Legislative Profile from Project Vote Smart
- Alaska Democratic caucus biography
- Campaign Contributions Senate: 2010, 2008, 2006 2004
- Campaign Contributions House: 2002 2000 1998 1996
Footnotes
- ↑ Alaska Division of Elections, "2012 Primary Candidate List," accessed March 12, 2014
- ↑ Alaska Division of Elections, "Official 2012 Primary Results," accessed March 12, 2014
- ↑ Alaska Election Division, "Official 2012 General election results," accessed November 16, 2012
- ↑ Alaska Division of Elections, "Official 2008 General election results," accessed March 12, 2014
- ↑ Follow The Money, "2008 Campaign donations," accessed April 7, 2014
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Anchorage Daily News, "Kookesh recall effort in early stages," March 4, 2010 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "kookesh" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ About Sealaska
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
Alaska State Senate District C 2005–2013 |
Succeeded by Click Bishop (R) |
| Preceded by Jerry Mackie |
Alaska House of Representatives District 5 1997 – 2005 |
Succeeded by Bill Thomas (R) |
