Tom Anderson (politician)

Thomas T. Anderson
Member of the Alaska House of Representatives
from the 19th district
In office
January 21, 2003 – January 15, 2007
Preceded bynone – newly created district (redistricting)[1]
Succeeded byBob Roses
Personal details
Born(1967-08-04)August 4, 1967[2]
Anchorage, Alaska
DiedFebruary 10, 2024(2024-02-10) (aged 56)[3]
Meadow Lakes, Alaska
NationalityAmerican
Political partyRepublican
Spouses
  • Janet E. Hallberg
    (m. 1992; div. 1993)
  • Yvonne Reynolds
    (m. 1998; div. 1999)
  • (m. 2005; div. 2010)
  • Lailanie B.G. Anderson
    (m. 2020)
ChildrenTimothy,[4] Tommy Jr., Kerry,[5] Grayson
Alma mater
OccupationPartner at Optima Public Relations; Radio show host

Thomas T. Anderson (August 4, 1967[2] – February 10, 2024[3]) was a partner at Optima Public Relations in Anchorage, Alaska and host of the "Tom Anderson Show" radio talk show (www.TomAndersonShow.com) on KVNT 92.5 FM and 1020 AM in Anchorage and Mat-Su. Anderson, a Republican, was an Alaska state representative for District 19 representing northeast Anchorage for two terms, from 2003 to 2007. He became known for his sponsorship of legislation which expanded Alaska's DNA database to assist in forensic identification of criminal suspects through DNA testing.[citation needed]

On December 6, 2006, Anderson was indicted by a federal grand jury on seven felony counts of extortion, bribery, conspiracy, and money laundering involving allegations that he took bribes of nearly $13,000 in return for using his official position as a legislator to advocate for the certificate of need (CON) issuance for a residential psychiatric treatment center (RPTC) associated with the Gov. Frank Murkowski "Bring the Kids Home" initiative, and for contract changes relating to a community confinement center (halfway house) in Anchorage. In July 2007 he was found guilty on all seven felony counts[6] and was sentenced in October 2007 to 60 months imprisonment to commence at the Federal Prison Camp in Sheridan, Oregon, on December 3, 2007. Anderson was one of seven legislators indicted, including U.S. Senator Ted Stevens, State Senator John Cowdery, former Speaker of the House Pete Kott, State Representative Bruce Weyhrauch, State Representative Vic Kohring and State Representative Beverly Masek.

  1. ^ The 2001 redistricting took Alaska's 40 election districts and created new boundaries for them, as well as largely revising the order of districts, per amendments to Article VI of the Alaska Constitution approved by voters in 1998. Under the previous redistricting plan, approved ca. 1994, the 23rd District most closely resembled the 19th District which Anderson represented. The 23rd District was represented by Eldon Paul Mulder (born 1957) for the entire decade the district existed (1993–2003) before retiring.
  2. ^ a b Alaska Legislature. (2005-09-20). "Representative Tom Anderson" (biography). Through Internet Archive. Retrieved on 2007-05-09.
  3. ^ a b "Governor Dunleavy and First Lady Mourn the Passing of Former Alaska Representative Tom Anderson". February 12, 2024.
  4. ^ http://www.courtrecords.alaska.gov/eservices/?x=bQUwCRWfQ4Y7qnKPG6reHlPudU9Ijy9GoV*JPXO3kPB3Y12IE9IgyMcfxYZvEXxqQGEpuCbE*XO4UECF8IbH3g[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ http://www.courtrecords.alaska.gov/eservices/?x=bQUwCRWfQ4Y7qnKPG6reHlPudU9Ijy9GoV*JPXO3kPB3Y12IE9IgyEfFsno2eX6IPwD6X69I8VU2wi*Ly-EjjA[permanent dead link]
  6. ^ Demer, Lisa. (2007-07-09). "Jury finds Anderson guilty in bribery trial."[permanent dead link] Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved on 2007-07-09.