Mike Chenault

Mike Chenault

Mike Chenault in the speaker's chair at the start of the 29th Legislature in January 2015. A large wood carving depicting the state seal hangs on the wall behind him.
Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives
Assumed office
January 20, 2009
Preceded by John Harris
Member of the Alaska House of Representatives
from the 34th district
Assumed office
January 20, 2003
Preceded by Redistricted
Member of the Alaska House of Representatives
from the 9th district
In office
January 8, 2001 – January 20, 2003
Preceded by Hal Smalley
Succeeded by Redistricted
Personal details
Born Charles Michael Chenault[1]
(1957-02-25) February 25, 1957
Hobbs, New Mexico, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Tanna
Children Brandon
Elisha
Shanda
Miranda

Charles Michael "Mike" Chenault (born February 25, 1957) is an American politician in the state of Alaska. Chenault has served as a Republican member of the Alaska House of Representatives since 2001, representing portions of the Kenai Peninsula Borough, where he has lived for most of his life. Chenault has served as the body's speaker since 2009. For the current 29th Legislature, he was elected speaker for an unprecedented fourth term.

Early life

Charles Michael Chenault was born in Hobbs, New Mexico on February 25, 1957. He moved to the Kenai Peninsula of Alaska with his family as a child. Chenault graduated from Kenai Central High School in 1975.

Chenault began a career in construction. He was vice-president of the Qwick Construction Company when he entered politics.[2] His professional experience led to a tenure as president of the North Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.

Political career

In 2000, Mike Chenault ran as a Republican candidate for the Alaska House of Representatives from the Kenai Peninsula-based 9th district, defeating one-term Democratic incumbent and former schoolteacher Harold "Hal" Smalley. He has been reelected mostly with little difficulty.

He was elected Speaker of the Alaska House for the 26th Alaska State Legislature. He is a member of several committees, including the Rules Committee, the Legislative Council, and is an alternate for the Labor & Commerce Committee. He also sits on Finance subcommittees for Government, Transportation, and the Legislature.[3]

In the current 29th Legislature, Chenault is in his eighth term in the House. He was elected to a fourth term as House Speaker, becoming the longest-serving holder of that office. He currently represents Alaska's 29th House District, which encompasses most of the eastern Kenai Peninsula, stretching from Nikiski to Seward and the area in between.[4]

Personal life

Mike Chenault is married to Tanna. They have four children: a son, Brandon, and three daughters; Elisha, Shanda and Miranda.[5]

References

  1. ↑ Directory 26th Alaska Legislature 2009–2010 (Second Session ed.). Juneau: Alaska Legislative Council. 2010. p. 7.
  2. ↑ Project Vote Smart - Representative Charles M. 'Mike' Chenault - Biography. Votesmart.org. Retrieved on September 14, 2011.
  3. ↑ "House Speaker Mike Chenault". www.housemajority.org. Retrieved 2015-09-16.
  4. ↑ House District 29. Alaska Redistricting Board. Retrieved on September 16, 2015 from http://www.akredistricting.org/currentdistricts.html.
  5. ↑ The Alaska State Legislature. House.legis.state.ak.us. Retrieved on September 14, 2011.


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