Preceded by redistricted Name Sam III Preceded by Beth Kerttula Role Politician | Succeeded by redistricted Party Democratic Party Political party Democratic | |
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Alma mater University of Alaska Anchorage (B.S., 1988) Occupation politician, civil engineer Education University of Alaska Anchorage Residence Juneau, Alaska, United States | ||
House Democrats Announce new member Sam Kito III 20140225
Sam Kito III (born 1964) is an American politician from Alaska. A Democrat, he has served in the Alaska House of Representatives as one of two representatives from Juneau since his appointment in 2014.
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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. He was sworn in on February 26, 2014, and joined the Democratic-led minority caucus.
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.
Personal life
Kito was born in Anchorage and lives in Juneau. He is of Tlingit and Japanese heritage. He has a teenage daughter. He is named for his grandfather, Sam Kito, Sr., a resident of Petersburg who was interned in a government camp in Idaho during World War II.