Matt Claman

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Matt Claman
Matt Claman (3932786742).jpg
Member of the
Alaska House of Representatives
from the 21st District
Assumed office
January 20, 2015
Preceded byredistricted
Mayor of Anchorage, Alaska
Acting
In office
January 3, 2009 – July 1, 2009
Preceded byMark Begich
Succeeded byDan Sullivan
Member of the Anchorage Assembly
from Seat D
In office
April 2007 – April 2010
Preceded byPamela Jennings
Succeeded byErnie Hall
Personal details
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Lisa Rieger
Children2
ResidenceAnchorage, Alaska, U.S.
Alma materColorado College (BA)
University of Texas (JD)
ProfessionLawyer

Matthew W. Claman (born 1959) is an American politician and attorney serving as a member of the Alaska House of Representatives. Claman previously served as the acting Mayor of Anchorage after Mark Begich resigned from the position to serve in the United States Senate.

Early life and education[]

Claman was raised in Dallas, Texas. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Colorado College. Claman moved to Alaska in 1980, working as a prep cook at a mining camp.[1][2] Claman returned to Texas to earn Juris Doctor from the University of Texas School of Law. He then returned to Alaska and began to practice law.[3]

Career[]

Claman is a trial and appellate attorney with Lane Powell, a regional law firm, and is past President of the Alaska Bar Association.

Claman served on the Anchorage Assembly beginning in 2007 and became its chair in 2008. He became the Acting Mayor of Anchorage in 2009 when then-Mayor Mark Begich was elected Alaska's United States Senator in the 2008 general election.[4] As Acting Mayor at the height of the 2008-2009 financial crisis, he led efforts to reduce the municipal budget by $20 million, approximately 5%, and negotiated concessions with bargaining units to achieve a balanced budget.[5]

Claman was elected to the Alaska House of Representatives in 2014, and joined the Democratic minority.[6] During his first term, he sat on the Judiciary Committee, the Transportation Committee, and the Energy Committee. He is a strong advocate for a responsible action plan to address Alaska's financial challenges.[7]

In 2016, Claman was re-elected to the State House. Following the election, he joined the Alaska House Majority Coalition of 22 Democrats, Republicans, and Independents who are committed to working together to put Alaska first.[8] His peers selected him to chair the House Judiciary Committee, where he previously served as a committee member. He is also the Vice Chair of the Rules Committee and a member of the Legislative Council, Energy Committee, Transportation Committee, and Criminal Justice Commission. Claman has introduced legislation for a statewide vote to amend the Constitution of Alaska and limit the session to 90 days.

Personal life[]

Claman is married to Lisa Rieger, who works for Cook Inlet Tribal Council, one of Alaska's most successful non-profit corporations. Matt and Lisa have two adult children. Claman is a licensed Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and accomplished professional wilderness guide.

References[]

  1. ^ KTUU. "House District 21 - Matt Claman". www.ktuu.com. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  2. ^ "Our Campaigns - Candidate - Matt Claman". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  3. ^ REPRESENTATIVE MATT CLAMAN
  4. ^ "Claman will become mayor Saturday: Anchorage Assembly | Alaska news a…". archive.li. July 28, 2012. Archived from the original on July 28, 2012. Retrieved February 3, 2017.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  5. ^ "Our view: Claman". Alaska Dispatch News. June 30, 2009. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  6. ^ "Governor, Juneau delegation greet newcomers". Archived from the original on February 9, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  7. ^ Athens, Maria. "Representative Matt Claman: "We Need A Responsible Action Plan For Alaska"". Your Alaska Link. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  8. ^ "Alaska House will be run by coalition while Senate remains under Republican control". Alaska Dispatch News. November 10, 2016. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
Political offices
Preceded by Mayor of Anchorage
2009 		Succeeded by
Dan Sullivan


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