Matt Claman

Background

Claman was born in 1959 in the United States and grew up in Dallas, Texas. In 1980, he moved to Alaska, where he worked as a cook in remote mining camps before beginning his legal career in the state.

Education

Claman earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from Colorado College and received a Juris Doctor from the University of Texas School of Law.

Career

After graduating from law school, Claman returned to Alaska to establish his legal career and raise his family. An attorney for more than three decades, he represented commercial fishermen, loggers, families, local businesses, and individuals. He operated his own law practice for more than 11 years and later worked as a trial and appellate attorney with Lane Powell. He also taught law courses at the University of Alaska Anchorage.

In 2002, his colleagues elected him to the Board of Governors of the Alaska Bar Association. He later served as president of the association.

Claman entered public office in 2007 when voters elected him to the Anchorage Assembly. In 2008, fellow assembly members unanimously elected him chair. He became acting mayor of Anchorage in 2009 following the resignation of Mark Begich after Begich’s election to the United States Senate.

As acting mayor during the 2008–2009 financial crisis, Claman directed efforts to reduce the municipal budget by approximately $20 million and negotiated concessions with bargaining units to maintain a balanced budget. He later became a candidate in the 2009 Anchorage mayoral election.

In 2014, Claman won election to the Alaska House of Representatives and took office in January 2015. During his legislative tenure, he chaired the House Judiciary Committee and served on committees dealing with transportation, energy, health and social services, and state affairs.

In 2022, he won election to the Alaska State Senate representing West Anchorage. He took office in 2023 and became chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Achievements

• Claman was unanimously elected chair of the Anchorage Assembly in 2008 and later served as acting mayor of Anchorage during the financial crisis of 2008–2009. During his administration, the municipality reduced its budget by approximately $20 million while maintaining a balanced budget through negotiated labor concessions.
  
  Within the legal profession, he served both on the Board of Governors and as president of the Alaska Bar Association. He also chaired judiciary committees in both the Alaska House of Representatives and the Alaska State Senate.

Membership

In addition to his public service, Claman served on the Heritage Land Bank Advisory Commission and participated on the boards of several nonprofit organizations in Alaska.

Interests

• He worked as a licensed emergency medical technician and professional wilderness guide. His recreational interests included hiking, biking, boating, and skiing.

Connections

Claman and his wife, Lisa Rieger, raised two children in Anchorage. Their children, Maia and Ben, graduated from West Anchorage High School.

References

• Alaska State Legislature Legislator Information