David Nelson (Alaska politician)

David Nelson
Member of the Alaska House of Representatives
Assuming office
January 21, 2025
SucceedingCliff Groh
Constituency18th
In office
January 19, 2021 – January 17, 2023
Preceded byGabrielle LeDoux
Succeeded byTom McKay (redistricting)
Constituency15th
Personal details
Born (1996-08-13) August 13, 1996 (age 28)
Orlando, Florida, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
EducationUniversity of Alaska Anchorage (BA)
Military service
Branch/service United States Army
UnitAlaska Army National Guard

David Nelson (born August 13, 1996) is an American politician who is a member-elect of the Alaska House of Representatives from the 18th district. A Republican, he previously represented the 15th district from 2021 to 2023.[1] He was defeated by Democrat Cliff Groh in 2022, but defeated Groh for the seat in 2024.[2][3]

Early life and education

Nelson was born in Orlando, Florida, and raised in Sanford, Florida. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from University of Alaska Anchorage in 2018. During college, he was a member of the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps.[4]

Career

After graduating from college, Nelson was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Alaska Army National Guard. He serves as a CBRN officer for in 207th Aviation Regiment at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson.[5] Nelson has also worked as a defense contractor and as the president of the Mid-Town Rotary Club of Anchorage. He was elected to the Alaska House of Representatives in November 2020 and assumed office on January 19, 2021.[6]

In 2022, redistricting of Alaska's state house districts placed Nelson in the newly created House District 18, where he ran for re-election. He was challenged by two Democrats, Lyn Franks and Cliff Groh.[7] None of the three candidates received more than 50 percent of the vote on Election Day, so due to Alaska's ranked choice voting system, the race went to an instant runoff between Nelson and Groh. Nelson was ultimately unseated by Groh.[8]

References

  1. ^ Kitchenman, rew; Media, Alaska Public; Juneau, KTOO- (2020-11-24). "Heavily Republican incoming class of Alaska legislators prepares for next session". Alaska Public Media. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
  2. ^ Brooks, James (2024-06-04). "Familiar names return in many Alaska legislative races, with 42 of 50 seats challenged in 2024 • Alaska Beacon". Alaska Beacon. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  3. ^ Stone, Eric (November 20, 2024). "Alaska House Democrats Cliff Groh and CJ McCormick ousted after final ballot count". Alaska Public Media. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  4. ^ "David Nelson's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved 2022-08-17.
  5. ^ "Alaska State Legislature". www.akleg.gov. Retrieved 2022-08-17.
  6. ^ "David Nelson (Alaska)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2022-08-17.
  7. ^ Rosen, Yereth (2022-10-19). "Ranked-choice voting likely to be important in North Anchorage House race • Alaska Beacon". Alaska Beacon. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  8. ^ Beacon, James Brooks, Alaska (2022-11-24). "Republicans hold majority in Alaska House after benefiting from ranked choice voting". Alaska Public Media. Retrieved 2024-07-10.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)


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