Lyman Hoffman

Lyman F. Hoffman (born February 13, 1950) is a Yup'ik politician and registered Democrat who caucuses with the Republicans in the Alaska Senate. He represents the S district since 1995, and from 1991 through 1992 previously. He was a member of the Alaska House of Representatives from 1986 through 1990, and from 1993 through 1994.

Lyman Hoffman
Majority Leader of the Alaska Senate
In office
July 9, 2019 – January 19, 2021
Preceded byMia Costello
Succeeded byShelley Hughes
Member of the Alaska Senate
Assumed office
January 16, 1995
Preceded byGeorge Jacko
ConstituencyDistrict T (1995–2003)
District S (2003–present)
Member of the Alaska House of Representatives
from the 39th district
In office
January 18, 1993 – January 16, 1995
Preceded byConstituency established
Succeeded byIvan Ivan
Member of the Alaska Senate
from the M district
In office
January 21, 1991 – January 18, 1993
Preceded byJohn Binkley
Succeeded byRick Halford
Member of the Alaska House of Representatives
from the 25th district
In office
January 19, 1987 – January 21, 1991
Preceded byJohn Binkley
Succeeded byIvan Ivan
Personal details
Born (1950-02-13) February 13, 1950
Bethel, Territory of Alaska, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Other political
affiliations		Republican (caucus)
SpouseLillian
Children2
EducationUniversity of Alaska, Fairbanks (BA)

In January 2019, Hoffman became the longest-serving member in the history of the Alaska Legislature, surpassing the tenure of Jay Kerttula, the previous record holder.

Republican affiliation

Hoffman is the only registered Democrat to caucus with the Republicans in the Senate.[1] He endorsed Republican nominee Dan Sullivan over Senator Mark Begich during the 2014 U.S. Senate race.[2]

Drunk driving and jail sentence

On May 1, 2004, Hoffman was arrested for erratic driving and for striking a home with his car. He refused to take a breathalyzer test and later pled guilty to the charges. He was sentenced to three days in jail by Judge Peter Froehlich, which began on July 6. Hoffman also had his driver's license revoked for 90 days, was placed on probation for one year, and was fined $1,500.[3][4]

Ethics violations

Hoffman was found guilty of violating financial disclosure laws by the Senate Committee on Legislative Ethics. Hoffman hid about $500,000 in income from his business interests in a company that primarily contracts with a state-funded agency. From Alaska Public Media, "The committee found that Senator Hoffman "knowingly" prepared and filed incomplete disclosures, leaving out a "substantial" amount of income."[5]

Alaska's fiscal crisis

Hoffman is the chair of the Senate Finance Committee, whose plan to address the fiscal crisis focuses on cutting services and capping the Permanent Fund Dividend.[6] Critics note that the hardest hit areas from slashing the PFD are in Hoffman's district.[7] The Senate Majority has failed to pass a plan to address the fiscal crisis since it began.

References
  1. Matheson, Ben (November 6, 2014). "Senator Lyman Hoffman to Caucus with Majority". KYUK. Archived from the original on January 21, 2015. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
  2. Matheson, Ben (October 24, 2014). "Lyman Hoffman Endorses Dan Sullivan for Senate". KYUK. Archived from the original on January 21, 2015. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
  3. "Hoffman sentenced on drunk driving charge". Juneau Daily News. June 29, 2004. Retrieved September 26, 2008.
  4. Maria Downey (June 29, 2004). "Bethel senator sentenced for drunken driving". stopthemaddness.org.
  5. Matheson, Ben (November 7, 2013). "Legislative Ethics Committee Says Senator Hoffman Failed to Disclose Income". Alaska Public Media. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  6. Brooks, James (February 24, 2017). "Senate Majority unveils plan including spending cap, big cuts and Permanent Fund spending to fix the budget". Juneau Empire. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  7. Kitchenman, Andrew (July 6, 2017). "PFD Cut Affects Some Alaskans More Than Others". Alaska Public Media. Retrieved October 13, 2017.

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