Lance Pruitt
Minority Leader of the Alaska House of Representatives
In office
February 14, 2019 – January 18, 2021
Preceded byCharisse Millett
Succeeded byCathy Tilton
Member of the Alaska House of Representatives
from the 27th district
In office
January 18, 2011 – January 18, 2021
Preceded byHarry Crawford
Succeeded byLiz Snyder
Personal details
Born
Lance David Pruitt

(1981-08-18) August 18, 1981
Anchorage, Alaska, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseMary Spinella
Children2
EducationUniversity of Alaska, Anchorage (BA)
Kaplan University (MBA)
WebsiteOfficial website

Lance David Pruitt[1] (born August 18, 1981) was a Republican member of the Alaska House of Representatives from the 27th district which covers East Anchorage. He was elected in 2010 and left office in 2021 following his election loss in 2020.

Early life and career

Born and raised in Anchorage, Pruitt graduated from Heritage High School in 1999, thereafter spending the next four years at the University of Alaska Anchorage gaining a BA in History.[2] Afterwards Pruitt began work in logistical management, including becoming Service Manager at FedEx Ground,[3] and alongside his work as a state representative Pruitt is now also General Manager of Sears Logistics[4] and the owner of small business Good 4 You Vending.[5] Furthering his study, he attended Kaplan University from 2007 to 2009 and graduated with an MBA in administration.[2] He has also been a NANA slope worker[3] and a member of the Alaska Chamber of Commerce.[2]

Politics

Pruitt ran for the state house's 21st district being vacated by Democrat Harry Crawford. Running unopposed, Pruitt gained the Republican nomination in August 2010.[6] In the November election, he defeated Democratic nominee Barbara Norton 54% to 43%. (The Libertarian nominee and write-ins received the remainder of the vote.)[7]

After being elected, Pruitt became co-chair of the house's Energy Special Committee; he also served as vice-chair of the education and transportation committees and as a member of the Legislative Outdoor Heritage Caucus.[8] In the 2011 mid-term Alaska Business Report Card—a grading system run by several Alaska business coalitions judging state officials on how favorable they are to the business community—Pruitt received an A.[9]

In his first term, Pruitt was the youngest member of the House. He was also the first person under age 30 to serve in the Alaska Legislature since Mary Kapsner reached her 30th birthday while in office in 2003. In 2014 he was named an Aspen Institute Rodel Fellow.[10] As House Minority Leader, Pruitt spearheaded the removal of David Eastman from his committee positions due to Republican infighting.[11]

Pruitt ran for reelection in 2020 and lost to Democratic challenger Liz Snyder by 13 votes. The Alaska Supreme Court struck down his challenges to the result.[12][13]

In 2021, the Alaska Public Offices Commission levied a $20,000 fine against Pruitt for campaign finance violations committed from 2016 to 2020.[14]

Personal life

Pruitt is married to Mary Ann and has two children and currently resides in East Anchorage. He is a member of the National Rifle Association,[2] which also endorsed his run for the house.[15] Alongside his activities Pruitt has also been a soccer coach, and helped for both the Alaska Airmen's Association and the Resource Development Council.[2]

References

  1. ↑ "Lance Pruitt for House". Archived from the original on 25 November 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Representative Lance Pruitt: Biography". The House Majority. Archived from the original on 24 September 2011. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
  3. 1 2 "Representative Pruitt". Alaska State Legislature. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
  4. ↑ "About Lance". Lane Pruitt. Archived from the original on 31 March 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
  5. ↑ "I AM UAA: Representative Lance Pruitt". Green & Gold News. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
  6. ↑ "State of Alaska 2010 Primary Election August 24, 2010 Official Results". Alaska state government. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
  7. ↑ "State of Alaska 2010 General Election November 2, 2010 Official Results without US Senate Race". Alaska state government. Archived from the original on 21 November 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
  8. ↑ "Representative Lance Pruitt: Committees". The House Majority. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
  9. ↑ "2011 midterm Alaska Business Report Card". Alaska Business Report Card. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 14 December 2011.
  10. ↑ "About the Rodel Fellowship Program".
  11. ↑ "Alaska House temporarily strips Eastman of committee roles". Juneau Empire. 5 March 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  12. ↑ McChesney, Rashah; Juneau, KTOO- (9 January 2021). "Alaska Supreme Court strikes down Rep. Lance Pruitt's challenge to his election loss". Alaska Public Media. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  13. ↑ Downing, Suzanne (9 January 2021). "Judge denies Lance Pruitt a do-over for D-27 election". Must Read Alaska. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  14. ↑ Herz, Nathanael. "APOC fines former GOP Alaska Rep. Pruitt for “widespread, serious” campaign finance violations," 23 Jun 2021, APR.com. Retrieved 26 Jun 2021.
  15. ↑ "Endorsements". Lance Pruitt. Archived from the original on 31 March 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2011.

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