Ana Hoffman. Photo from Bethel Native Corporation

The unity ticket for governor in Alaska named a Native leader as the co-chair of its bipartisan transition team on Wednesday.

Independent Bill Walker and Democrat Byron Mallott selected Ana Hoffman, who serves as president and CEO of Bethel Native Corporation, and Rick Halford, a former state lawmaker, to continue preparations for the governor's office. Hoffman is a Democrat and Halford is a Republican.

“I am so pleased to have Ana join our transition team." Walker said at a press conference. "She brings incredible experience and knowledge to the table, particularly on issues impacting rural Alaska and Alaska Natives.”

Walker and Mallott, who is Tlingit, have maintained their slim lead over Gov. Sean Parnell (R). The incumbent has refused to concede his re-election campaign.

Mallott is a former board chair and former CEO of Sealaska Corporation. He also is a former president of the Alaska Federation of Natives.

AFN endorsed Walker and Mallott at the group's annual convention last month. If the ticket takes office, Mallott would be the second lieutenant governor with Native heritage.

The first was Loren Leman, according to Wikipedia.

Get the Story:
Walker-Mallott campaign names bipartisan team to lead transition (The Alaska Dispatch News 11/13)
Parnell says race isn't over as Walker moves ahead with transition planning (The Alaska Dispatch News 11/13)
Walker hires transition team (The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner 11/13)

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Ticket with Native candidate holds tiny lead for Alaska governor (11/5)
Rodney Pederson: Republicans don't earn rural Alaskan votes (11/03)
Mark Trahant: Alaska Federation of Natives endorses candidates (10/27)
Mark Trahant: Alaska Native candidate joins rival in governor's race (09/02)
Byron Mallott: Making some right choices for Alaska's future (01/06)
Mark Trahant: Alaska Native man in running for state governor (10/30)