In a surprise move just days before the Alaska Legislature goes back to Juneau, West Anchorage's Representative Lindsey Holmes blind-sided the Alaska's Democrat Party and switched sides after being elected on the Democratic ticket to her seat once again.

Lindsey states of her move to the Republican side of the aisle, “I think in a lot of ways it has been something I’ve been moving toward for the entire six years I’ve been in the legislature.” She continued by saying, I’ve found common vision with members of the majority.”

This did not go over well with the Democrats who have called her dishonest for her actions. Mike Wenstrup, the newly elected party chair for the Democrats said in a press release, “Rep. Holmes has deceived the voters of her district. She should have been honest about her intentions. If she intended to serve as a Republican, she should have run as a Republican.”

“During this past election cycle, she repeatedly reaffirmed her stances on core Democratic values that run counter to Republican positions she now claims to hold,” he said. “Alaska continues to need public servants who stand by their principles, not politicians who put their own careers ahead of Alaska.”

Because of her move to the Republicans, Holmes will now take a seat on the House Finance Committee. But, this also comes at the expense of the Democratic Party, because of her move across the aisle, the Democrats must give up one of their seats on the committee as they now only have 10 members. With 11 members before Lindsey’s defection, the Democrats were entitled to 3.

Who will get the axe? It is believed that the most junior member, Representative Scott Kawasaki will be shown the door.

The House Democratic Caucus responded as well. Although they had little to say of Lindsey’s defection, Leader Beth Kurttula did say in a release, “House Democrats have worked effectively to preserve Alaska’s fair return for our oil, to get our schools the resources they need, and to lower the cost of energy for Alaska’s homes and businesses, and we will continue to do so. We have a strong team of Democratic legislators, with four new members who bring tremendous energy and experience, and we look forward to a productive session on behalf of all Alaskans.”

Many other Alaskans are wondering if the fundraiser held in September by Bill Sheffield (who often holds fundraisers for Republicans)was the signal that the change was already in before the elections. Most believe that Holmes ran in the Democrat district as a Democrat because if she had announced the move before the election, she would not have had any chance of being re-elected to her seat.