Newsmakers.

1 | ALASKA

"I didn't take an oath to promise to defend every law the Legislature passes no matter how unconstitutional it is."

Alaska Attorney General Kevin Clarkson (R), in response to being sued by Senate President Cathy Giessel (R) and Senate Minority Leader Tom Begich (D) for refusing to defend a law that encourages construction firms to use Alaskan workers on state contracts, in the Anchorage Daily News.

2 | COLORADO

"There are people out there that should be recalled, but not just because you don't like the way that person is."

Representative Tom Sullivan (D) on his support of a bill to tighten the state's recall rules, from the Colorado Sun.

3 | ILLINOIS

"After getting to know these bright and intelligent individuals, I have no doubt our future is in great hands."

Senator Donald DeWitte (R) on the nearly 5C high school students who participated in the inaugural Youth Advisory Council, a hands-on experience in public policy, state government and leadership, in the Kane County Chronicle.

4 | VIRGINIA

"I could continue to be quiet and accept things, or I really had to become much more visible."

Senator-elect Ghazala Hashmi (D), the state's first Muslim senator, on why she decided to run for office. in the New York Times.

5 | IOWA

Speaker Linda Upmeyer (R), the state's first female speaker, plans to step down from the legislature. Upmeyer was first elected to the House in 2002 and has served as speaker for four years. "It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve the people of Iowa," Upmeyer said in a statement. She plans to spend more time with her family, including her grandchildren. House Republicans selected Pat Grassley as the new speaker. Grassley is the grandson of U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R) and works the Grassley family farm with his father and grandfather. Representative Matt Windschitl (R) will serve as majority leader and Representative John Wills (R) as speaker pro tern.

6 | PENNSYLVANIA

Speaker Cameron Sexton (R) will lead the House chamber into 2020. Sexton succeeds Representative Glen Casada (R), who resigned as speaker in August. A...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT