Kelly Merrick, Alaska

Kelly Merrick is a Republican member of the Alaska State Senate representing Eagle River's District L and currently serves as Senate Majority Whip. Born in Juneau, she earned a B.A. in Business from Gonzaga University and began her career as a legislative staffer in Juneau and in the office of longtime U.S. Representative Don Young. She served in the Alaska House from 2019 to 2023 before moving to the Senate, where she sits on the Finance, Labor and Commerce, and Joint Armed Services committees, focusing on responsible budgeting, natural resource development, and economic growth.