Sen. Kelly Merrick, R-Eagle River, is seen on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023, during a meeting of the Senate Finance Committee. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Ten months ago, Josiah Goecker was at work as the community director for an Anchorage apartment complex when he was shot and killed .
That tragedy inspired his brother, Jared, to run for the Alaska Legislature, and Jared Goecker is now among four challengers to incumbent Sen. Kelly Merrick, R-Eagle River, in a race that could shake up the Senate’s current bipartisan majority caucus.
Though she represents one of the most politically conservative Senate districts in the state, Merrick has been a stalwart member of the Senate’s bipartisan coalition, working across party lines and steering millions toward her district via a seat on the Senate Finance Committee.
“I think that we need a strong Senate Majority that’s willing to pass balanced budgets,” she said. “This year, we strengthened our electrical grid, we promoted resource development, passed strong crime legislation. And these aren’t partisan issues. These are Alaskan issues.”