Alaska Judicial Council Member Steps Down

0:00It's April 28th. You're listening to Anchorage News today, AI-powered local news. One of Governor Mike Dunne Leeby's picks for the Alaska Judicial Council just stepped down. John Wood, a former Anchorage attorney, was appointed last May to one of the council's three public member seats, which are men for non-lawyers. But his spot sparked lawsuits, claiming he didn't qualify because of his past bar membership, even though his license got suspended back in two. A superior court judge sided with Wood and the Governor last October. Ruling he counts as a non-attorney now, and his state consulting gig isn't a full-time job. Still, Wood pulled out right before his confirmation, hearing this Wednesday in front of the House Judiciary Committee. The Governor let lawmakers know on Monday that Wood withdrew his name. Folks had strong feelings about this. Representative Andrew Gray, who chairs that committee, got over 50 public comments against Wood in just the last two weeks. Gray figures Wood isn't fit for a non-attorney seat since he practiced law for years, and

1:03the timing of the resignation of Voids of Messy Hearing. Wood himself says it's got nothing to do with the drama. He's turning 80 next month, and the job demands too much time after retirement. He looked in the mirror and decided it was time to bow out. With Wood gone, eyes turned to the legislature's big joint session on May 7th to confirm the Governor's other appointees, keeping the confirmation. Process rolling without this hiccup?