Thomas Baker (Alaska politician)

Alaska House of Representatives

Baker was appointed on November 8, 2023 by governor Mike Dunleavy to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Josiah Patkotak, who left the House after being elected as mayor of the North Slope Borough.^[4] On November 13, Baker was sworn in after being confirmed by House Republicans.^[5]

Baker represented District 40, the northernmost legislative district in the country, making him a member of the Bush Caucus. Baker often voted in opposition to the non-Republican members of the caucus, swinging the outcome of votes on education and causing friction within the group.^[6]

In March 2024, the Legislature passed a resolution introduced by Baker urging the withdrawal of a proposed Bureau of Land Management rule restricting development in large portions of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska.^[7] This resolution was praised by the members of Alaska's congressional delegation.^[8]

On March 18, 2024, after several meetings with the governor over the previous week, Baker voted against overriding Governor Dunleavy's veto of a bipartisan education funding bill, citing the need for other funding in his district and the governor's ability to veto specific funding from the budget regardless.^[9] Baker had previously voted in favor of the education bill.^[10]

Baker proposed an amendment to the Alaska Constitution that would allow the Legislature to establish a preference giving priority to rural subsistence harvesters during resource shortages. The measure could bring Alaska into compliance with the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, potentially allowing the state government to assume sole fish and game management authority on federal lands in Alaska.^[11] This proposal drew support from Alaska Department of Fish and Game commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang, but was criticized Alaska Federation of Natives president Julie Kitka. NANA Corporation and the Maniilaq Association issued a joint statement saying that they could not support the proposal and that Baker had not adequately consulted his constituents.^[12]

In 2024, Baker, facing an election challenge from Democratic candidates Saima Chase and Robyn Burke, ran for re-election as an independent.^[13] Baker finished third in the election, with Burke winning in the second round.^[14]

Post-legislature

In 2025, Baker ran for a seat on the Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly, but was defeated by former assembly member Carl Nasruk Weisner.^[15]