Kelly Merrick

Kelly Merrick ( Richards; born 1975) is an American politician from Alaska. A Republican, Merrick was elected to the Alaska State Senate in 2022, representing District L in Eagle River. She was a member of the Alaska House of Representatives from 2019 to 2023. She took office as State Senator on January 17, 2023.

Early life and career Merrick worked as a staffer in the Alaska Legislature and served an aide (Secretary) to U.S. Rep. Don Young for 6 months.

Political career Merrick ran for election to the Alaska House to succeed Lora Reinbold, who ran for the Alaska Senate. Merrick defeated Jamie Allard and Eugene Harnett in a 3-way race of the Republican primary and nonpartisan Joe Hackenmueller in the general election. Rep. Merrick was censured by Republican District 14 for caucusing with the Democrats in 2021. The Alaska Republican State Central Committee also voted to censure Merrick and no longer recognizes Merrick as a Republican.

Electoral history

After the primary, McCarty withdrew from the race and endorsed Goecker. This would normally mean that Jackson, the fifth place finisher, would move up, but she also withdrew and endorsed Goecker.

2024 Alaska Senate General election Party Candidate First choice Round 1 Round 2 Votes % Transfer Votes % Transfer Votes %Coalition Republican 9,050 46.3% +42 9,092 46.5% +800 9,892 55.5% Republican 7,685 39.3% +13 7,698 39.4% +241 7,939 44.5% Democratic 2,754 14.1% +16 2,770 14.2% -2,770 Eliminated Write-in 51 0.3% -51 Eliminated Total votes19,54019,56017,831 Blank or inactive ballots 780 +1,729 2,509 Republican hold Coalition hold