Santa Claus (Alaskan politician)

Claus graduated from New York University, completing a doctoral course in Educational Communication and Technology, although he never completed his dissertation that would grant him his doctorate. In 1971, he began serving as Special Assistant to the Deputy Police Commissioner in New York City.[7] He was a founding director of the Terrorism Research and Communications Center, an academic collective researching the formation and foundations of terrorist groups. That position led him to be appointed to FEMA’s National Defense Executive Reserve. Claus's team favoured an active approach to investigating sources of terrorism, involving seeking out the underlying problems, however, he reports that this approach was dismissed by national security officials.[5]

Jaded with federal government, Claus secured a job as chief of safety and security at the US Virgin Islands territory port, overseeing two international airports and four marine ports.[5] Before moving to Alaska, Claus also worked at a Telluride radio station and as vice president of a Lake Tahoe television station.[5] His tenure in broadcasting public service continued as he moved north, serving for a stint on the Alaska Public Broadcasting Commission.[8]

Claus is a Christian monk of the Celtic Anglican order Anam Cara, and has worked as an emergency response chaplain.[9]

Claus endorsed the Joe Biden-Kamala Harris ticket in the 2020 Election, after Bernie Sanders dropped out of the running.[24]

Claus is a proponent of medical marijuana,[16] a policy he shares with his would-be predecessor, Don Young. However, Claus otherwise has little in common with the late Republican congressman. He describes himself as having a strong affinity with Bernie Sanders,[25] sharing many of the Vermont senator's positions on racial justice, corporate accountability, and election freedoms.[26] Like Sanders, Claus does not accept corporate donations, nor does he accept personal donations.[13] He supports the expansion of Medicare, and reduction of federal defense spending,[13] describing himself as "fiscally conservative but socially liberal".[16] Claus is in favour of an expanded child tax credit, a wealth tax, and the PRO Act.[5] Additionally, he has questioned the power and influence of social media giants like Twitter and Facebook.[27] More locally, Claus has disavowed Alaska's "extractive oil economy", pointing to the effects of climate change and environmental pollution,[13] and has vowed to improve Alaska's broadband infrastructure,[28] which is currently underserved in many rural parts of the state.[29]

Claus is 74 years old. He has a stepson, but is not currently married.[16] He has confirmed that he has had multiple cancers, but has not shared any specific diagnoses.[16] As a monk, Claus has taken a religious vow of poverty, making just $300 a month as a North Pole councilman.[24] He reportedly volunteers over 1000 hours per year.[24]