Could a North Slope lawmaker’s loss spark change in legislative leadership?

Rep. Benjamin Nageak apparently lost his seat in the Alaska Legislature Wednesday, when the Alaska Supreme Court ruled in favor of his challenger Dean Westlake. The decision could come with a chain reaction, linking Democrats, independents and moderate Republicans together to create new leadership in the Alaska House of Representatives.
Republicans currently make up the majority in Juneau — which means they hold the gavels in committee and leadership roles, with a few exceptions. Nageak an