Rep. John Lincoln, D-Kotzebue, left, Rep. Neal Foster, D-Nome, Rep. Tiffany Zulkosky, D-Bethel, and Rep. Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, right, wear kuspuks as they are sworn into their House seats on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Rep. John Lincoln, D-Kotzebue, left, Rep. Neal Foster, D-Nome, Rep. Tiffany Zulkosky, D-Bethel, and Rep. Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, right, wear kuspuks as they are sworn into their House seats on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Photos: The Best Dressed at the Alaska State Capitol

The budget may be boring but the outfits aren’t.

The Alaska State Capitol is a world unto itself, with its own culture and style. Photographer Michael Penn gives you a look at the best dressed of the 31st Legislative Session.


• Contact staff photographer Michael Penn at 523-2262 and mpenn@juneauempire.com. Follow our Instagram at @Juneau.Life.


Stephanie Hall, the House Journal Clerk, poses with the embroidered top she made at the Capitol on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Stephanie Hall, the House Journal Clerk, poses with the embroidered top she made at the Capitol on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson, D-Anchorage, Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, and Sen. Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, arrive to listen to Gov. Mike Dunleavy give his State of the State speech at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson, D-Anchorage, Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, and Sen. Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, arrive to listen to Gov. Mike Dunleavy give his State of the State speech at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Sen. John Coghill, R-North Pole, left, and Sen. Mike Shower, R-Wasilla, power walk to attend Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s State of the State speech to a Joint Session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Sen. John Coghill, R-North Pole, left, and Sen. Mike Shower, R-Wasilla, power walk to attend Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s State of the State speech to a Joint Session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Sen. Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, walks to attend Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s State of the State speech to a Joint Session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Sen. Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, walks to attend Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s State of the State speech to a Joint Session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Gov. Mike Dunleavy is escorted to his State of the State speech in the House chamber at the Capitol in Juneau, Alaska, by Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau, left, and Sen. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, (and Gavel Alaska’s Skip Gray, right) to a Joint Session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Gov. Mike Dunleavy is escorted to his State of the State speech in the House chamber at the Capitol in Juneau, Alaska, by Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau, left, and Sen. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, (and Gavel Alaska’s Skip Gray, right) to a Joint Session of the Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Amory Lelake, left, and Drew Cason, staffers for Rep. Bryce Edgmon, take in events leading up to the State of the State at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Amory Lelake, left, and Drew Cason, staffers for Rep. Bryce Edgmon, take in events leading up to the State of the State at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Senate Pages Sydney Krebsbach, left, and Matthew Puckett dressed for work at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Senate Pages Sydney Krebsbach, left, and Matthew Puckett dressed for work at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Grace Kubitz, staff for Rep. Zack Fields, photographed at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Grace Kubitz, staff for Rep. Zack Fields, photographed at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Patrick Fitzgerald, staff for Rep. Laddie Shaw, photographed at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Patrick Fitzgerald, staff for Rep. Laddie Shaw, photographed at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Chad Hutchison, Council for the Senate Majority, photographed at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Chad Hutchison, Council for the Senate Majority, photographed at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Ryan Johnston, staff for Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux, photographed at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Ryan Johnston, staff for Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux, photographed at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Rep. Zack Fields, D-Anchorage, carries his 14-month-old daughter, Zara, along with him as he works at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Rep. Zack Fields, D-Anchorage, carries his 14-month-old daughter, Zara, along with him as he works at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Feb. 1

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

Two flags with pro-life themes, including the lower one added this week to one that’s been up for more than a year, fly along with the U.S. and Alaska state flags at the Governor’s House on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Doublespeak: Dunleavy adds second flag proclaiming pro-life allegiance at Governor’s House

First flag that’s been up for more than a year joined by second, more declarative banner.

Students play trumpets at the first annual Jazz Fest in 2024. (Photo courtesy of Sandy Fortier)
Join the second annual Juneau Jazz Fest to beat the winter blues

Four-day music festival brings education of students and Southeast community together.

Frank Richards, president of the Alaska Gasline Development Corp., speaks at a Jan. 6, 2025, news conference held in Anchorage by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. Dunleavy and Randy Ruaro, executive director of the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, are standing behind RIchards. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
For fourth consecutive year, gas pipeline boss is Alaska’s top-paid public executive

Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, had the highest compensation among state legislators after all got pay hike.

Juneau Assembly Member Maureen Hall (left) and Mayor Beth Weldon (center) talk to residents during a break in an Assembly meeting Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, about the establishment of a Local Improvement District that would require homeowners in the area to pay nearly $6,300 each for barriers to protect against glacial outburst floods. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Flood district plan charging property owners nearly $6,300 each gets unanimous OK from Assembly

117 objections filed for 466 properties in Mendenhall Valley deemed vulnerable to glacial floods.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Friday, Jan. 31, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

University of Alaska President Pat Pitney gives the State of the University address in Juneau on Jan. 30, 2025. She highlighted the wide variety of educational and vocational programs as creating opportunities for students, and for industries to invest in workforce development and the future of Alaska’s economy. (Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
University of Alaska president highlights impact on workforce, research and economy in address

Pat Pitney also warns “headwinds” are coming with federal executive orders and potential budget cuts.

Most Read