Kelly Merrick Explained

Kelly Merrick
Birth Place:Juneau, Alaska, U.S.
Party:Republican
Spouse:Joey
Residence:Eagle River
Office:Member of the Alaska Senate
Constituency:L
Term Start:January 17, 2023
Predecessor:Lora Reinbold (District G)
Office2:Member of the Alaska House of Representatives
Termstart2:January 16, 2019
Termend2:January 17, 2023
Constituency2:14
Predecessor2:Lora Reinbold
Successor2:Jamie Allard (District 23)

Kelly Merrick (née Richards; born 1975) is an American politician from Alaska. A Republican, Merrick was elected to the Alaska State Senate in 2022, representing District L in Eagle River. She was a member of the Alaska House of Representatives from 2019 to 2023. She took office as State Senator on January 17, 2023.[1]

Early life and career

Merrick worked as a staffer in the Alaska Legislature and served an aide (Secretary) to U.S. Rep. Don Young[2] for 6 months.

Political career

Merrick ran for election to the Alaska House to succeed Lora Reinbold, who ran for the Alaska Senate. Merrick defeated Jamie Allard and Eugene Harnett in a 3-way race of the Republican primary and nonpartisan Joe Hackenmueller in the general election.[3] Rep. Merrick was censured by Republican District 14 for caucusing with the Democrats in 2021. The Alaska Republican State Central Committee also voted to censure Merrick and no longer recognizes Merrick as a Republican.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Alaska State Legislature . 2023-03-07 . akleg.gov.
  2. News: Herz . Nathaniel . Alaska legislative races feature ex-lawmakers seeking comebacks, credible challengers and a husband and wife . 31 March 2020 . Anchorage Daily News . June 2, 2018.
  3. News: Herz . Nathaniel . Voters may have ousted two of Alaska's top legislators, as House remains up for grabs . 31 March 2020 . Alaska Public Media . August 23, 2018.