Albert Matthew Kookesh, Jr. (November 24, 1948 – May 28, 2021)[1] was an American politician who served as a member of the Alaska Senate. He represented District C as a Democrat from 2005 through 2013. Previously he was a member of the Alaska House of Representatives from 1997 through 2005.
Kookesh received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Washington in 1976 and was a commercial fisherman, who owned and operated a lodge and market. He was on the board of directors of the Sealaska Corporation and was a co-chair of the Alaska Federation of Natives.[2] His earlier professional positions included Business Manager, Executive VP, and Acting President/CEO for Kootznoowoo Inc.
He is of the Tlingit Nation, Eagle Tribe, Teikweidí (Brown Bear) Clan, child of L'eeneidí (Dog Salmon) Clan.[3]
In 2010 a legislative review found Kookesh to be in violation of state ethics policies following allegations that he used political influence to keep a city council from opposing a lands bill pushed by the Native corporation by which he was employed.[5] He lost the 2012 election to fellow incumbent Bert Stedman after the Alaska Redistricting Board placed him[2] in a district that was vastly different from his former bush district.
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