Scott Kawasaki

Scott Kawasaki
Member of the Alaska House of Representatives
from the 1st district
Assumed office
January 16, 2007
Preceded by Jim Holm
Personal details
Born (1975-03-20) March 20, 1975
Tokyo, Japan
Political party Democratic
Residence Fairbanks, Alaska
Alma mater University of Alaska Fairbanks
Occupation senior patient representative
Signature

Scott Jiu Wo Kawasaki[1] (born March 20, 1975) is an American healthcare professional and politician from Alaska. A Democrat, he is a member of the Alaska House of Representatives representing the state's first district, which includes neighborhoods within the city limits of Fairbanks.

Biography

Scott Kawasaki was born in Tokyo, Japan while his parents Koji and Virginia Kawasaki taught internationally. The family returned to Fairbanks in 1980, where he has lived ever since. Scott attended public schools throughout Fairbanks; Joy Elementary, University Park Elementary, Tanana Junior High and Lathrop High School. Scott graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks with a B.S. in Biomedical Sciences in 2006.

Scott Kawasaki became the youngest member ever to sit on the Fairbanks City Council in 1999 at age 24. He served on the Fairbanks City Council for two consecutive terms from 1999 till 2005.

Legislative career

Kawasaki was elected state representative for House District 9, in 2006, defeating Republican incumbent Jim Holm by 2617 votes (55 percent) to 2118 (45 percent).[2] He had previously run in 2004, losing to Holm by 52 votes.[3]

During the 25th Legislature, Kawasaki served on House Resource Committee, House Special Committee on Oil & Gas and House Committee on Military & Veteran Affairs.

Kawasaki was reelected in 2008 defeating Republican challenger Sue Hull.[4]} During the 26th Legislature Representative Kawasaki served on House Resource Committee, House Special Committee on Fisheries and House Committee on Military & Veteran Affairs. He was also the youngest member of the legislature at this time. Kawasaki defeated Republican nominee Joseph Michel in the 2010 election. In 2012, in District 4, he narrowly beat David Pruhs, with 51-47% of the vote. In 2014, he beat Gregory Bringhurst with 55% of the tally, and was unopposed in 2016.[5]

Prior to the appointment of Sam Kito III in 2014, Kawasaki was the only Asian American currently serving in the Alaska Legislature.[6][7]

Kawasaki has indicated an interest in running against incumbent Senator Pete Kelly in 2018, and the Fairbanks-North Star Borough Assembly's Presiding Officer Kathryn Dodge has filed to run as a Democrat for Kawasaki's House seat.[8]

References

  1. ↑ Alaska Legislative Affairs Agency (January 2010). Directory 26th Alaska Legislature 2009–2010 (Second Session ed.). Juneau: Alaska Legislative Council. p. 12.
  2. ↑ http://www.elections.alaska.gov/06general/data/sovc/hd9.pdf
  3. ↑ http://www.elections.alaska.gov/04genr/data/sovc/hd9.pdf
  4. ↑ http://www.elections.alaska.gov/ei_return.php
  5. ↑ State of Alaska 2012 General Election November 6, 2012 Official Results, Alaska Division of Elections, 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  6. ↑ Forgey, Pat (December 6, 2012). "Election, redistricting diminishes Natives' power in Alaska Legislature". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
  7. ↑ Pinsker, Adam (February 26, 2014). "Rep. Kito III Sworn into Office". KTUU. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
  8. ↑ Fairbanks assembly member to run for state House; Kawasaki may aim at Kelly, Fairbanks News-Miner, Matt Buxton, May 30, 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
Honorary titles
Preceded by
Mary Kapsner		 Youngest member of the Alaska House of Representatives
2007–2011 		Succeeded by
Lance Pruitt
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