6 | People & Politics | 03.2013

6 | PEOPLE & POLITICS | 03.2013 SPEAKER MIKE CHENAULT (R) WAS UNANIMOUSLY ALASKA REPRESENTATIVE LINDSEY HOLMES LEFT HER CHENAULT RE-ELECTED to an unprecedented third term as leader of the MINORITY DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS after six years in the House and Alaska House of Representatives. Chenault has now held the switched parties to join the GOP. She began thinking about the position longer than any other representative in the state’s change shortly after the election, but had been “moving toward” history. Much of the speaker’s success, many say, can be it her entire legislative career, she says. Her defection leaves attributed to the widespread fairness he displays toward the Democrats with 10 members in the 40-member body. Under every member, regardless of their party or views on certain House rules, a caucus of 10 or more automatically gets committee issues. After being re-elected speaker, Chenault told his assignments. fellow representatives that he thinks of them as “family.” NEW MEXICO SENATOR MARY KAY PAPEN (D) BECAME PAPEN SENATOR JACK A. HART JR., THE BOSTON DEMOCRAT HEAVILY THE FIRST WOMAN Senate president pro tem in 73 years FAVORED TO SUCCEED Senate President Therese Murray (D), when she was elected to the post by acclamation. Papen announced he is resigning from the legislature to join a law firm. was the coalition candidate in a chamber dominated by His departure makes the contest “a wide-open scramble,” with Democrats, 25-17. Democratic Senator Pete Campos had several viable candidates. Murray is obligated by term limits to been nominated by his caucus for the leadership position. leave the Senate presidency in 2015, although there is speculation But in a surprise move, he nominated the 80-year-old retired she may leave before that. A special election is likely to coincide car dealer when it became apparent she had the votes among with the election to fill U.S. Senator John Kerry’s seat, with a Republicans and conservative Democrats to win. It is the primary in April and general election on June 25. second time in four years a coalition-backed Democrat has been elected to the post. Papen presides over the committee ABOUT 40,000 NEW STATE LAWS PASS EACH YEAR, that appoints committee members and chairs. and Florida Senator Nancy Detert (R) learned how just one DETERT can truly change lives. In 2002, Detert sponsored legislation DEMONSTRATIONS CAN BE COSTLY. WHEN UNION PROTESTORS to give stipends to 18-year-old kids leaving foster care to descended on the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing in December to help them finish high school and go to college or get work oppose right-to-work bills in the birthplace of collective bargaining, training. Five young adults, all under 25, came to a hearing it came with a high price tag for the state—$901,132 of state police in Tallahassee to thank her personally for helping them make costs. The bills passed the Republican-controlled legislature with the transition out of foster care. The Road to Independence lightning speed and Republican Governor Rick Snyder signed them program helped one go to college and the others stay out within a day. Snyder has asked the Michigan Supreme Court to of trouble and avoid homelessness. Detert has a reputation rule on the constitutionality of the bills, which make it illegal for as a tough legislator—she even has a fireman’s ax in her office with the employers to require workers to pay union dues. The question is whether the inscription “No Nonsense Nancy.” Now she’s working on legislation to laws interfere with the Civil Service Commission’s authority. In a letter to extend foster care until age 21. the court, Snyder said he is attempting to avoid “a proliferation of state and federal lawsuits.” NOT MANY DEMOCRATS WANT TO RUN AGAINST NEW JERSEY’S REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE in this year’s election. Christie HAYNES TENNESSEE REPRESENTATIVE RYAN HAYNES has been governor since 1997 and has a 74 percent approval rating. (R) RENEWED HIS CONSTITUENTS’ FAITH IN Senate President Stephen Sweeney took himself out of the race, saying POLITICS—and in youth. The 28-year-old second- he’s “decided my work needs to be focused on ensuring the Legislature term lawmaker stopped along Kingston Pike in heavy remains in Democratic control.” Senator Richard Codey isn’t interested traffic to pick up money, pictures and papers that even though he was acting governor for 14 months after James McGreevey had been run over and were blowing everywhere. resigned amid a sex scandal. “I enthusiastically back whomever the They belonged to a constituent who had driven off nominee is,” he said. Democratic U.S. Representatives Frank Pallone and with her wallet on top of the trunk of her car. Haynes Bill Pascrell, both considered running then decided not to. Only Senator tracked her down and returned the billfold. Lynn Dell Barbara Buono has said yes to the challenge. She was first elected to the McKinney, owner of the wallet, wrote in a letter to General Assembly in 1994, then to the Senate in 2002, and was majority the Knoxville News Sentinel that it is “honest and caring people like Haynes leader from 2010-12. She has received the endorsement of most Democrats who help restore our faith in our fellow citizens and neighbors.” and appears to have the nomination sewn up..

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