In a video posted to her Facebook page today, Senator Natasha von Imhof (R – Anchorage) announced that she will not be seeking re-election and not running for another office. There has been speculation for months that she would run for governor. In the video, she stated, “I will be serving out my term and then stepping down from politics, and I’m going to focus on family for the foreseeable future.” Last month, her father Ed Rasmuson passed away after battling cancer. Her husband Rudi is facing health challenges.
Von Imhof was elected to the Senate in 2016 after winning a Republican primary that included former Representative Craig Johnson and me. She went on to defeat Democrat Forrest McDonald and Independent Tom Johnson in the general. Von Imhof served as co-chair of the Senate Finance Committee from 2019-2020.
In 2020, she narrowly defeated Stephen Duplantis in the Republican primary. Duplantis, who raised under $2,000, was a QAnon follower who questioned whether George Floyd was real. Von Imhof went on to easily defeat Democrat Roselynn Cacy in the general.
Von Imhof currently chairs the Legislative Budget & Audit Committee, which is in the process of investigating the firing of Angela Rodell as CEO of the Alaska Permanent Fund.
The Redistricting Board’s new map paired von Imhof with Senator Mia Costello (R – Anchorage). With von Imhof’s departure from the Legislature, Costello is now the de facto incumbent in the new district. Maps could still change due to pending litigation regarding redistricting.
Von Imhoff is rationale, and that is all you can hope for now in the age of Trump and his cult members. God only knows what kind of “space cadet” is waiting in the wings to replace her.
Are you paying attention? There was nothing rational about that Marie Antoinette breakdown last year.
Hi Jeff –
Enjoying your writing as always, but I am a little curious. I read that State Senators Bert Stedman and Click Bishop were co-chairs of the Senate Finance Committee. How many co-chairs are there? Thanks in advance for clearing this up.
LBA is a committee that oversees the Legislature’s budget. The Budget you’re referring to is the Senate Budget Committee which oversees the State of Alaska Budget. At least them and the House Budget Committee.