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 by | Mia Costello |
Succeeded by | Shelley Hughes |
Member of the Alaska Senate | |
Assumed office January 16, 1995 | |
Preceded by | George Jacko |
Constituency | District 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 by | Constituency established |
Succeeded by | Ivan Ivan |
Member of the Alaska Senate from the M district | |
In office January 21, 1991 – January 18, 1993 | |
Preceded by | John Binkley |
Succeeded by | Rick Halford |
Member of the Alaska House of Representatives from the 25th district | |
In office January 19, 1987 – January 21, 1991 | |
Preceded by | John Binkley |
Succeeded by | Ivan Ivan |
Personal details | |
Born | Bethel, Territory of Alaska, U.S. | February 13, 1950
Political party | Democratic |
Other political affiliations | Republican (caucus) |
Spouse | Lillian |
Children | 2 |
Education | University 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.[1]
Hoffman is the only registered Democrat to caucus with the Republicans in the Senate.[2] He endorsed Republican nominee Dan Sullivan over Senator Mark Begich during the 2014 U.S. Senate race.[3]
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.[4][5]
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."[6]
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.[7] Critics note that the hardest hit areas from slashing the PFD are in Hoffman's district.[8] The Senate Majority has failed to pass a plan to address the fiscal crisis since it began.
Media related to Lyman Hoffman at Wikimedia Commons