Benjamin Nageak

Benjamin P. "Ben" (or "Bennie") Nageak (born March 26, 1950)[1] is an American politician, having been a Democratic member of the Alaska House of Representatives since January 18, 2013 representing District 40.[2]

Benjamin Nageak
Member of the Alaska House of Representatives
from the 40th district
In office
January 18, 2013 – January 17, 2017
Preceded byReggie Joule
Succeeded byDean Westlake
Personal details
Born (1950-03-26) March 26, 1950
Kaktovik, Alaska
NationalityAmerican
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Bonnie

Political career

North Slope Borough

In the 1990s, Nageak was elected to the North Slope Borough assembly. A year into his term, he was elected the borough's mayor, and served in that position for a single three-year term from 1996 to 1999.

Prior to running for the Alaska House in 2012, Nageak was serving as a special assistant to the borough's mayor, Charlotte Brower.

Alaska House of Representatives
  • In 2012 Nageak filed to run for the 40th District seat in the Alaska House of Representatives. Incumbent Democrat Reggie Joule announced shortly before the filing deadline that he would not be a candidate for reelection; he would later to decide to run for mayor of the Northwest Arctic Borough and was elected to that position. Nageak won the four-way August 28, 2012 Democratic Primary with 714 votes (36.08%),[3] and won the November 6, 2012 General election with 3,444 votes (95.91%) against write-in candidates.[4] As had Joule, Nageak chose to caucus with the Republican majority.
  • In 2014, Nageak beat Dean Westlake of Kotzebue 1104 votes (53%) to 973 votes, in the Democratic primary and was unopposed in the general election.[5]
  • 2016 In the August 15th Democratic primary rematch, Nageak was apparently defeated 819 votes to 798, 50.65%–49.35% by Westlake.[6][7] A recount certified on September 6 had him losing, but by only four votes, and he was expected to challenge the results.[8] A further review of votes extended Westlake's lead to 8 votes, 825 votes to 817.[9] An Anchorage judge, Andrew Guidi, heard Nageak's protest, took 12 votes from Weslake, and two from Nageak, giving Nageak a two-vote victory, which was appealed to the state supreme court.[10] The Alaska Supreme Court reversed Judge Guidi's decision, handing the victory to Westlake.[11]

References
  1. "Benjamin Nageak". Juneau, Alaska: Alaska Legislature. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
  2. "Representative Benjamin Nageak's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
  3. "State of Alaska 2012 Primary Election August 28, 2012 Official Results". Juneau, Alaska: State of Alaska Division of Elections. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
  4. "State of Alaska 2012 General Election November 6, 2012 Official Results". Juneau, Alaska: State of Alaska Division of Elections. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
  5. "State of Alaska 2014 General Election November 4, 2014 Official Results". Juneau, Alaska: State of Alaska Division of Elections. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  6. 2016 Alaska Primary Elections, Alaska Public Media, Wesley Early, August 16, 2016. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  7. "State of Alaska 2016 Primary Election August 15, 2016 Unofficial Results". Juneau, Alaska: State of Alaska Division of Elections. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  8. Official results show four-vote margin in northern Alaska House race, but challenge expected, Alaska Dispatch News, Alex de Marban, September 6, 2016. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
  9. Dean Westlake already leading Northern Alaska House race doubles four-vote lead over incumbent Nageak in recount, Alaska Dispatch News, Nathaniel Herz, September 12, 2016. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
  10. Judge overturns results in Northern Alaska election, declaring Nageak the winner, Alaska Dispatch News, Nathaniel Herz, October 6, 2016. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
  11. Westlake declared winner as Alaska Supreme Court reverses lower court in Northern Alaska legislative election, Alaska Dispatch News, Nathaniel Herz, October 13. Retrieved October 22, 2016.


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