Photos: Opening day of the 34th Alaska Legislature

Flowers and children add color to the ceremonial day.

By Marc Lester
Updated: January 24, 2025 Published: January 22, 2025

Sens. Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, left, and Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, escort Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, to the Senate President’s chair. (Marc Lester / ADN)

JUNEAU — The 34th Alaska Legislature opened its session in Juneau on Tuesday. Largely a day of ceremony, the legislators, family and friends convened in their respective chambers. Here’s a collection of photos from the day.

More coverage of the legislature here.

Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, right, jokingly warns office manager Jane Rohn to be careful pinning a corsage. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Senate pages Yarrow Platt, left, and Isabel Braun transport flowers to the Senate floor. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Capitol maintenance worker Romel Lumba works on an office sign. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Members of Juneau Girl Scouts troops prepare to carry the flag into the Senate floor session. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Representatives, from left, Jamie Allard (R-Eagle River), Elexie Moore (R-Wasilla), Mia Costello (R-Anchorage), and Sarah Vance (R-Homer) gather before the House floor session begins. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Rep. Neal Foster, D-Nome, has his picture take with guests in the Senate gallery. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Rep. Nellie "Unangik" D. Jimmie, D-Bethel, talks with Rep. Maxine Dibert, D-Fairbanks on the House floor. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Rep. Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, talks with his son, Evan Edgmon, during a break in the House session. (Marc Lester / ADN)

A candy dish is stocked on the desk of Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Rep. Genevieve Mina, D-Anchorage, is photographed with a guest in the House gallery. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Sen. James Kaufman, R-Anchorage, gets help with his boutonneire from Anne Rittgers. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson, D-Anchorage, and Sen. Kelly Merrick, R-Eagle River, head to a Senate majority news conference. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Robyn Niayuq Burke hugs Arlene Frier, 5, in the House chamber. Frier is the daughter of Burke’s fiance. (Marc Lester / ADN)

From left, Reps. Jubilee L. Underwood, R-Wasilla, Elexie Moore (R-Wasilla), Cathy Tilton (R-Wasilla) and DeLena Johnson (R-Palmer) are sworn in on the House floor. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Rep. Andy Josephson, D-Anchorage, talks with Rep. Dan Saddler, R-Eagle River on the House floor. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Sen. Scott Kawasaki, D-Fairbanks, and Sen. Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, listen to a Senate majority news conference. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Calvin Schrage, of Anchorage, talks with Rebecca Himschoot, of Sitka, during a break in the House session. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstom shakes hands with Sen. Donny Olson, D-Golovin, after he is sworn in. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Correction: In an earlier version of this story, a photo caption incorrectly identified Rep. DeLena Johnson of Palmer as Rep. Andi Story of Juneau.

Marc Lester

Marc Lester is a multimedia journalist for Anchorage Daily News. Contact him at mlester@adn.com.

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