ANCHORAGE, Alaska - New state Rep. Neal Foster says he's joining the Democratic caucus.

"Our district is predominantly Democrats, and I think I just have a lot of the same beliefs and values as Democrats," he said. For example, Foster favors a rural preference for subsistence hunting and fishing.

Foster was confirmed by House Democrats on Sunday as the replacement for his father, Rep. Richard Foster, who died in October.

Neal Foster will serve the year remaining on his father's term and plans to run for for his own in the Western Alaska district that stretches from Hooper Bay to Nome.

The Anchorage Daily News reports the elder Foster was a registered Democrat but regularly voted with majority Republicans.

House Minority Leader Beth Kerttula of Juneau says with Neal Foster, Democrats expand their minority caucus to 15 members and clinch an additional seat on the House Finance Committee.

Foster sits on the Bering Straits Native Corp. board and is a member of the Nome City Council.

In the House, Foster says he plans to focus on creating jobs through mining and fishing. Other priorities are education and fighting drug and alcohol abuse.