Sam Kito III

Sam Kito III (born 1964) is an American politician from Alaska. A Democrat, he served in the Alaska House of Representatives as one of two representatives from Juneau since his appointment in 2014 until 2019.

Sam Kito III
Member of the Alaska House of Representatives from the 33rd District
In office January 20, 2015 – January 15, 2019
Preceded by	redistricted
Succeeded by	Sara Hannan
Member of the Alaska House of Representatives from the 32nd District
In office February 26, 2014 – January 20, 2015
Preceded by	Beth Kerttula
Succeeded by	redistricted
Personal details
Born	1964 Anchorage, Alaska
Political party	Democratic
Residence	Juneau, Alaska
Alma mater	University of Alaska (B.S., 1988)
Occupation	politician, civil engineer

A lobbyist and civil engineer by trade, Kito was appointed to serve out the term of Beth Kerttula in House District 32 after she resigned in early 2014. Governor Sean Parnell selected him in February from among three nominees forwarded by the Tongass Democrats, passing over Juneau Assemblyman Jesse Kiehl and Juneau School District budget committeewoman Catherine Reardon.[1][2] He was sworn in on February 26, 2014, and joined the Democratic-led minority caucus.[3][4]

After his appointment, Kito ran for election to a full term in House District 33 (due to redistricting) and won in a landslide over Republican Peter Dukowitz.[5]

When the legislature eliminated per diem payments for any legislator who lived within 50 miles of the state capital of Juneau, he concluded he could not keep his daughter in college on his small legislative salary, so did not run for reelection. His compensation would have been cut from $82,488 to $50,400.[6]

Personal life

Kito was born in Anchorage and lives in Juneau. He is of Tlingit and Japanese heritage.[7] He has a teenage daughter.[3] His father, Sam Kito, Jr., is a long time lobbyist. He is named for his grandfather, Sam Kito, Sr., a resident of Petersburg who was interned in a U.S. government camp in Idaho during World War II.[8]

References

1. Canfield, Jennifer (February 4, 2014). "Tongass Democrats deliver names for open House seat". Juneau Empire. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
2. "Sam Kito III Nominated to fill Rep. Kerttula's House Seat". KTUU. February 21, 2014. Archived from the original on February 9, 2015. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
3. Forgey, Pat (February 21, 2014). "Parnell picks Kito to replace Beth Kerttula in Alaska Legislature". Alaska Dispatch. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
4. Miller, Matt (February 26, 2014). "New Rep. Sam Kito III takes oath of office". KTOO. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
5. Moritz, Katie (November 5, 2014). "Big win for incumbents on Election Day". Juneau Empire. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
6. Juneau Rep Sam Kito III will not run for reelection in 2018, Juneau Empire, James Brooks, March 20, 2018. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
7. "Sam S. Kito-Democrat-House District 33" (PDF). Alaska Elections Division. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
8. "Amelia Kito". Juneau Empire. June 18, 2002. Retrieved February 8, 2015.

External links

• Sam Kito at 100 Years of Alaska's Legislature