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Many conservatives around Alaska lay the blame for the Legislature’s failure to perform squarely at the feet of Rep. Gary Knopp, a Republican from Kenai District 30.
Knopp this year followed his heart and withdrew from the then-Republican House Majority, and over weeks helped carve out a large Majority led by Democrats, with seven other Republicans like him.
He had been leaning toward Democrats for a long time when he led a stalemate that prevented the House from organizing for 30 days at the beginning of the session.