Although the Alaska House has organized a bipartisan caucus, the Alaska Senate will look much the same as it has for several years, but it will be led by Fairbanks Republican Sen. Pete Kelly as the state’s new Senate president, taking over for Anchorage Republican Sen. Kevin Meyer. Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kenai, will be chair of the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee.

Meyer is now chair of the Senate Rules Committee.

Sen. Anna MacKinnon, R-Eagle River, will remain as a Finance co-chair along with new Finance co-chair Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel. Republican Sen. Cathy Giessel of Anchorage, who won a hotly contested race, will keep her position as Resources chair as well.

Golovin Democrat Sen. Donny Olson also returned to the minority following a brief stint with the Republican majority last session. Still, the Republican-led Senate coalition holds a super-majority with 15 members in the 20-seat body.

Elwood Brehmer can be reached at elwood.brehmer@alaskajournal.com.