Preceded by Jim Holm Name Scott Kawasaki Political party Democratic Role Politician | Religion Roman Catholic Party Democratic Party Signature | |
 | ||
Born March 20, 1975 (age 49)
Tokyo, Japan ( 1975-03-20 ) Alma mater University of Alaska Fairbanks Occupation senior patient representative Education University of Alaska Fairbanks Residence Fairbanks, Alaska, United States | ||
Scott kawasaki city of fairbanks optimistic gold gas oil
Scott Jiu Wo Kawasaki (born March 20, 1975) is an American healthcare professional and politician from Alaska. A Democrat, he is a member of the Alaska House of Representatives representing the state's first district, which includes neighborhoods within the city limits of Fairbanks.
Contents
Biography
Scott Kawasaki was born in Tokyo, Japan while his parents Koji and Virginia Kawasaki taught internationally. The family returned to Fairbanks in 1980, where he has lived ever since. Scott attended public schools throughout Fairbanks; Joy Elementary, University Park Elementary, Tanana Junior High and Lathrop High School. Scott graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks with a B.S. in Biomedical Sciences in 2006.
Scott Kawasaki became the youngest member ever to sit on the Fairbanks City Council in 1999 at age 24. He served on the Fairbanks City Council for two consecutive terms from 1999 till 2005.
Legislative career
Kawasaki was elected state representative for House District 9, in 2006, defeating Republican incumbent Jim Holm by 2617 votes (55 percent) to 2118 (45 percent). He had previously run in 2004, losing to Holm by 52 votes.
During the 25th Legislature, Kawasaki served on House Resource Committee, House Special Committee on Oil & Gas and House Committee on Military & Veteran Affairs.
Kawasaki was reelected in 2008 defeating Republican challenger Sue Hull.} During the 26th Legislature Representative Kawasaki served on House Resource Committee, House Special Committee on Fisheries and House Committee on Military & Veteran Affairs. He was also the youngest member of the legislature at this time. Kawasaki defeated Republican nominee Joseph Michel in the 2010 election. In 2012, in District 4, he narrowly beat David Pruhs, with 51-47% of the vote. In 2014, he beat Gregory Bringhurst with 55% of the tally, and was unopposed in 2016.
Prior to the appointment of Sam Kito III in 2014, Kawasaki was the only Asian American currently serving in the Alaska Legislature.
Kawasaki has indicated an interest in running against incumbent Senator Pete Kelly in 2018, and the Fairbanks-North Star Borough Assembly's Presiding Officer Kathryn Dodge has filed to run as a Democrat for Kawasaki's House seat.