Lyman Hoffman


Lyman F. Hoffman is a registered Democrat who caucuses with the Republicans in the Alaska Senate. He represents the S district since 1995, and from 1991 through 1992 previously. He was a member of the Alaska House of Representatives from 1986 through 1990, and from 1993 through 1994.
In January 2019, Hoffman became the longest-serving member in the history of the Alaska Legislature, surpassing the tenure of Jay Kerttula, the previous record holder.

Republican affiliation

Hoffman is the only registered Democrat to caucus with the Republicans in the Senate. He endorsed Republican nominee Dan Sullivan over Senator Mark Begich during the 2014 U.S. Senate race.

Drunk driving and jail sentence

Hoffman was arrested for erratic driving and striking a home with his car. He refused to take a breathalyzer test, but later, pled guilty. He was sentenced to three days in jail, 30 days suspended, had his driver's license revoked for 90 days with one year's probation and fined $1500.

Ethics violations

Hoffman was found guilty of violating financial disclosure laws by the Senate Committee on Legislative Ethics. Hoffman hid about $500,000 in income from his business interests in a company that primarily contracts with a state-funded agency. From Alaska Public Media, "The committee found that Senator Hoffman "knowingly" prepared and filed incomplete disclosures, leaving out a "substantial" amount of income."

Alaska's fiscal crisis

Hoffman is the chair of the Senate Finance Committee, whose plan to address the fiscal crisis focuses on cutting services and capping the Permanent Fund Dividend. Critics note that the hardest hit areas from slashing the PFD are in Hoffman's district. The Senate Majority has failed to pass a plan to address the fiscal crisis since it began.