Two Haines residents are running for Alaska House District 33.
Tom Morphet and James Hart both put their names in on June 1, the last day to file for candidacy.
Morphet a former owner of the Chilkat Valley News. He reported for the paper for many years. Morphet has been on the Haines Assembly since Oct. 2016.
Tom Morphet. (Emily Files)
James Hart is a 28-year-old Haines resident. He is a Chilkoot Indian Association tribal council member and culture camp teacher. Hart also serves as a delegate of the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska.
James Hart. (Emily Files)
Morphet and Hart are both running as democrats. They join candidates Steven Handy, Sara Hannan, and Chris Dimond of Douglas.
House District 33 represents Skagway, Haines, Klukwan, Gustavus, downtown Juneau and Douglas.
Rep. Sam Kito III currently represents the district. He is not seeking re-election.
How is it possible for an enrolled member of a faux federally recognized Indian tribe take their Constitutional oath of office to support and defend our Constitution if elected when U.S.C. Title 25-INDIANS has no Constitutional authority to exist?