Charles Michael Chenault (born February 25, 1957) is an American politician in the

state State may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Literature * ''State Magazine'', a monthly magazine published by the U.S. Department of State * ''The State'' (newspaper), a daily newspaper in Columbia, South Carolina, United States * ''Our S ...

Alaska Alaska ( ; russian: Аляска, Alyaska; ale, Alax̂sxax̂; ; ems, Alas'kaaq; Yup'ik: ''Alaskaq''; tli, Anáaski) is a state located in the Western United States on the northwest extremity of North America. A semi-exclave of the U.S. ...

. Chenault served as a

Republican Republican can refer to: Political ideology * An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law. ** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...

member of the

Alaska House of Representatives The Alaska State House of Representatives is the lower house in the Alaska Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Alaska. The House is composed of 40 members, each of whom represents a district of approximately 17,756 people per ...

from 2001 to 2019, representing portions of the

Kenai Peninsula Borough Kenai Peninsula Borough is a borough of the U.S. state of Alaska. As of the 2020 census, the population was 58,799, up from 55,400 in 2010. The borough seat is Soldotna, the largest city is Kenai, and the most populated community is the ce ...

, where he has lived for most of his life. Chenault served as the body's speaker from 2009 to 2017. He lost his position as house speaker to Democrat Bryce Edgmon when three Republicans joined a coalition of Democrats to form a bipartisan house majority after the general election in November 2016.

Early life

Charles Michael Chenault was born in Hobbs,

New Mexico ) , population_demonym = New Mexican ( es, Neomexicano, Neomejicano, Nuevo Mexicano) , seat = Santa Fe , LargestCity = Albuquerque , LargestMetro = Tiguex , OfficialLang = None , Languages = English, Spanish ( New Mexican), Navajo, Ke ...

on February 25, 1957. He moved to the

Kenai Peninsula The Kenai Peninsula ( Dena'ina: ''Yaghenen'') is a large peninsula jutting from the coast of Southcentral Alaska. The name Kenai (, ) is derived from the word "Kenaitze" or "Kenaitze Indian Tribe", the name of the Native Athabascan Alaskan trib ...

with his family as a child. Chenault graduated from

Kenai Central High School Kenai Central High School (KCHS) is a public high school serving grades 9–12 in Kenai, Alaska. The school operates under the authority of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, and is one of five high schools in the district. The School's ...

in 1975. Chenault began a career in construction. He was vice-president of the Qwick Construction Company when he entered politics. His professional experience led to a tenure as president of the North Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.

Political career

In 2000, Mike Chenault ran as a

candidate for the

from the Kenai Peninsula-based 9th district, defeating one-term Democratic incumbent and former schoolteacher Harold "Hal" Smalley. He was re-elected mostly with little difficulty. He was first elected

Speaker Speaker may refer to: Society and politics * Speaker (politics), the presiding officer in a legislative assembly * Public speaker, one who gives a speech or lecture * A person producing speech: the producer of a given utterance, especially: ** I ...

of the Alaska House for the

26th Alaska State Legislature History The 26th Alaska State Legislature was elected in November 2008. Sessions * First session: January 20, 2009 – May 19, 2009 * Special session: August 10, 2009 * Second session: January 19, 2010 – April 18, 2010 See also *List of Alask ...

. He was a member of several committees, including the Rules Committee, the Legislative Council, and was an alternate for the Labor & Commerce Committee. He also sits on Finance subcommittees for Government, Transportation, and the Legislature. In the 30th Legislature, Chenault was in his ninth and final term in the House. He served four terms as House Speaker, becoming the longest-serving holder of that office. He represented Alaska's 29th House District, which encompasses most of the eastern

, stretching from Nikiski to Seward and the area in between. He did not run in 2018 and was succeeded by Ben Carpenter. Chenault briefly ran for the Republican nomination for Alaska Governor, but dropped out before the primary as the party consolidated around Mike Dunleavy.

Personal life

Mike Chenault is married to Tanna. They have four children: a son, Brandon, and three daughters; Elisha, Shanda and Miranda.The Alaska State Legislature
House.legis.state.ak.us. Retrieved on September 14, 2011.

References

External links

*
Alaska State House Majority Site

Alaska State Legislature Biography

Project Vote Smart profile

Mike Chenault
at ''100 Years of Alaska's Legislature'' {{DEFAULTSORT:Chenault, Mike 1957 births 21st-century American politicians American construction businesspeople Businesspeople from Alaska Living people People from Hobbs, New Mexico People from Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska Speakers of the Alaska House of Representatives Republican Party members of the Alaska House of Representatives