Democrats in the Alaska House of Representatives have confirmed Gov. Bill Walker’s appointment of Tiffany Zulkosky for the vacant seat representing Southwest Alaska’s House District 38.
The seat has been vacant since Zach Fansler resigned Feb. 12 in the wake of allegations that he slapped a Juneau woman, his dating partner, hard enough to rupture one of her eardrums.
The confirmation vote took place behind closed doors Thursday evening, the Democrats said by email. Coalition House Majority spokesman Mike Mason said the vote was unanimous. According to Thursday’s announcement, Zulkosky will arrive in Juneau in early March and be sworn in at that time.
Zulkosky is vice president of communications for the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation. Before being selected for that job in 2016, she was elected to the Bethel City Council and, at age 23, was selected Mayor of Bethel. She is still the youngest person ever to serve in that job.
Former U.S. Sen. Mark Begich subsequently selected her to serve as his rural director, which forced her to move to Anchorage. That job ended when Begich lost his election to the U.S. Senate in 2014.
Kulkosky’s confirmation was accompanied by messages of praise from the Alaska Democratic Party, Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, and other House lawmakers.
