Mike “Fish” Pawlowski is leaving his role of Chief of Staff to Senator Lisa Murkowski (R – Alaska) to form a new company with longtime lobbyist Jerry Mackie. The company is called Strategy North Group and will start on January 1, 2021. Pawlowski will be moving back to Alaska in January. All of Mackie’s existing clients will be transferred to the new company. It’s common after an election for staff to move around. Murkowski is termed out as chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Although she will retain her position as chair of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee. It’s speculated that she will become chair of the Indian Affairs Committee.

Mackie served in the Alaska Legislature from 1991-2000 and has been a lobbyist since 2002. Pawlowski worked as a legislative staffer for almost a decade. He also served as deputy commissioner for the Department of Revenue under former Governor Sean Parnell. He has been with Murkowski’s office since 2015. Pawlowski has a one year prohibition under Senate Ethics from lobbying the U.S. Senate. His one year prohibition on lobbying in Alaska has long expired. Pawlowski may also be looking to work on Murkowski’s 2022 campaign if she decides to run for reelection. So that could also be a factor in leaving his role in her office.

The next legislative session is set to begin on January 19, 2021.