On June 28, Senator Lyman Hoffman (D – Bethel) announced he will not seek re-election in 2026, ending a 40-year career in the Legislature. This confirmed months long rumors that he was planning on retiring.
Three days after Hoffman’s announcement, House Speaker Bryce Edgmon (I – Dillingham) filed a letter of intent, but left the office section blank. This is not uncommon for candidates who want to keep their options open. The decision ultimately needs to be made by June 1, the candidate filing deadline.
It has been widely assumed by political insiders that Edgmon will run for Hoffman’s vacant seat. Hoffman even told the Alaska Beacon, “I’m going to go back and become a civilian, and I’m going to talk with Rep. Edgmon and encourage him to file for my seat.”
But six months later, Edgmon has still not announced if he will run for the open Senate seat. Edgmon, the longest serving member of the House, was first elected in 2006. He served as speaker from 2017-2021 and again since 2025.
In comparison, when Senate President Gary Stevens (R – Kodiak) announced his retirement in May, Representative Louise Stutes (R – Kodiak), a former speaker herself, immediately announced she would run for his open Senate seat.
So why has Edgmon, an experienced and accomplished legislator, been cagey about his decision to run for the Senate? There are three main reasons.
The first is risk. Edgmon is speaker and is guaranteed re-election to his House seat. He would likely be speaker again, or in senior leadership, if he stays in the House.
If he runs for the Senate, he would be very likely to win but it would not be as certain as staying in the House. Running for the Senate means his district would double. He would have to campaign in the Bethel region, where he has not been on the ballot since 1994 – when he actually ran against Hoffman. In that 1994 race, Hoffman defeated Edgmon 50.5% to 44.5%. Leonard Freitas got 4.9%.
And if he went to the Senate, he would be brand new. Edgmon basically rules the roost in the House. In the Senate, he would need to contend with the likes of Senator Bert Stedman (R – Sitka) for control or influence over the finance committee.
The second is Calista. Calista can exert considerable money and influence in the Bethel region. If Edgmon runs for the Senate, it’s conceivable Calista would back a candidate to challenge him. This would mean Edgmon would be in a race much more competitive than he is used to. Calista, a big supporter of the Donlin Mine, aren’t happy about an anti-mining bill Edgmon introduced at the end of session.
The third is power. If Edgmon decides to run for the Senate, an immediate power struggle will ensue in the House for who will be his successor as speaker. Representatives Calvin Schrage (I – Anchorage) and Chuck Kopp (R – Anchorage) have both expressed the desire to be speaker. Edgmon may be trying to delay his decision as long as possible in order to limit posturing and positioning by majority members during the upcoming legislative session.
Edgmon is probably also trying to find a suitable successor in the Dillingham region to run for his House seat should he decide to run for the Senate.
So far, no one has filed to run for the open Senate seat. Representative Nellie Jimmie (D – Tooksok Bay), who represents the Bethel region, filed a letter of intent in June to run for re-election to her House seat.
In a late 90s floor speech, FBX Rep. John Davies explained why he didn’t run for an attainable senate seat. He said, essentially, that the senate is boring, compared to the house, where vigorous debate flourished. That might be a consideration for Edgmon, too.
“Vigorous debate” in the House too often takes the form of obstructive, far-right, performative virtue-signaling. So it is not unreasonable to think that a dedicated public servant who cares about delivering for Alaskans might be attracted by the prospect of escaping the mayhem of the kiddie table for the more serious Senate.
The entire reason we have a bifurcated legislature goes back to a city-wide labor strike in Rome 2500+ years ago. The house is a serious, necessary institution.
Just because the House is serious and necessary, doesn’t change that there are unserious people there who greatly diminish its seriousness.
Those “unserious people” were elected by the citizens of that district. You obviously don’t like that, but all you can do is pollute the public air ranting about it. As the people of that district see how the mentally ill rail against their representation, it might have the opposite effect you seek.
You’re very defensive, anonymous coward, considering I didn’t name anyone. Regardless, my point remains. Getting elected doesn’t magically confer seriousness on people who are clearly unserious.
“…….. I didn’t name anyone. Regardless, my point remains……..”
I didn’t name anybody, either, and my point also remains:
People in each district elect their own representation. You and I might not like them, but that’s really some tough shit. They’re the representation chosen by others to represent them, not you or I.
I don’t dispute that. Is your reading comprehension lacking, or are you just deflecting from the obvious inadequacies and unseriousness of some in House?
I’m commenting on your continual condemnation of other district’s representation.
When did it become a crime to criticize? Are you, who never misses a chance to take a shot at LaFrance, being a hypocritical anonymous coward now?
“……..When did it become a crime to criticize?………”
Apparently the moment I started criticizing you.
Great comeback, anonymous coward. You’re the one endlessly whining, while simultaneously demanding adherence to absurd standards that you feel no need to hold yourself to. That’s the height of hypocrisy.
Now, I’ll ask you again, why are you so offended by the provably true things I point out about Rep. Kevin J. McCabe of Big Lake, when you’re always the one bringing him up? If discussing him is so upsetting to you, why do you keep doing it? Take some responsibility for yourself for a change.
“………I’ll ask you again, why are you so offended by the provably true things I point out about Rep. Kevin J. McCabe of Big Lake……..” I’m not. I’m offended by you. I can’t do a thing about Rep. McCabe, even if I was of a mind like yours, because he was elected by the people of his district. All I could do would be what you’re doing: poisoning the entire region with hatred with the hope of poisoning his next election, or poisoning the courts and regulatory systems with the hope of simply eating up his resources and time. I’m… Read more »
“…….If discussing him is so upsetting to you, why do you keep doing it?……”
It doesn’t upset me at all. And with the Legislature nearing commencement, there’s lots more to come……..
It totally upsets you. You’re like an emotional child. I’ve never seen anyone so vigorously defend, and dishonestly deflect from, obvious bad behavior.
“…….. I’ve never seen anyone so vigorously defend, and dishonestly deflect from, obvious bad behavior……..”
I don’t defend him. I couldn’t care less about him (but I oppose his “full PFD” statement). I oppose you and your bad behavior.
Hi Mark (The Bald Coward) Kelsey!
I want to see Jamie Allard as House Speaker if he does go to the Senate.
-Landfield, above
Bizarre title for an article that doesn’t explain “Why Speaker Edgmon still hasn’t decided if he will run for open Senate seat”. Instead, we just get a list of wild-ass guesses.
And more bizarre because Landfield apparently has no idea whether Speaker Edgmon has decided. In all likelihood, Speaker Edgmon has decided but merely hasn’t announced his decision.
An accurate, less click-baity title would have been “Wild-ass guesses about why gossip blogger doesn’t know if Speaker Edgmon will run for open Senate seat.”
Start your own blog and stop leeching off an existing platform’s audience that you nitpick against every week, and don’t let the door hit you on your way out!
Jeff – This is a decent, respectable analysis (albeit not your usual) that many of your readers appreciate as actual ‘journalism.’ Dan Sv. is among your ‘crowd’ whose hobby is to feud with any- and everyone about ANYTHING whatsoever to draw attention to himself. I fully understand why ADN decided to squelch comments. Too often, your comments descend into a personal e-conflict between a few of whom I consider somewhat lonely individuals, interested only in verbally combatting their perceived ‘opponents.’
Sounds like Reggie the Anonymous Coward projecting again.
LOL……..look under your bed, Editor. There am I. Look in the glove box of your car. In you’re hall closet. I’m everywhere. Everything you see as a threat is me; that mean, old Reggie. Now I even look like Kevin McCabe, don’t I? It’s difficult to believe that an intelligent person would do this to himself publicly. You boast about your “courage” in posting all this insane shit, but what you’re doing is proving how sick you are. And at one time you were the editor and/or publisher of an Alaskan newspaper, and thus further illustrate why that industry is… Read more »
Sure thing, dishonest anonymous coward. Keep grasping at desperate straws. How come you keep bringing up McCabe unprompted?
“………How come you keep bringing up McCabe unprompted?……..”
To see how you respond.
Your obsession is getting the best of you. Have you considered seeking help? Unchecked mental health issues can be serious.
“…….. Have you considered seeking help?………”
I’m getting it. Exposing people like you causes many to think about what is going on. They remain quiet, but they see how bad things are, and they’ll vote accordingly.
Yes, I’m sure the inane ramblings of a clearly obsessed anonymous coward on an inconsequential online message board have the ability to sway public opinion. Hilarious.
It’s more about your obvious psychopathic hatred swaying public opinion, Editor. All I’m doing is poking the maniac with a long stick. Your roars can’t be ignored, and they’re being increasingly noticed and catalogued with those of other radicals nationwide. Keep screaming. Let there be no doubt.
So easy to be a blowhard while cowering in the safety of your dishonest anonymity. Your desperation is clear.
“………So easy to be a blowhard…….”
I’m not blowing hard like you. This is a cool breeze. It just feels like a hot hurricane to you because that’s the climate you clearly prefer.
Does your Mom ever let you out of the basement?
Nah, that’s ur mom, who won’t let me out of her bedroom.
Wow, this kind of rebuttal is truly an all-time low, even for you Dan.
Reggie the Anonymous Coward is working overtime here.
Are you Mike Alexander?
You don’t want to be an “Anonymous Coward”, do you, Mike?
All four need to be retired and go do something else with what little is left of their lives. There is more to life than leadership.