Over seeing the "Troopergate" investigation The bald guy fifth from the left is Hollister French. The far left Bearded guy is Democratic Sen. Kim Elton. Alaska senator to retain oversight of Palin probe Sep 8, 2008 ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A Republican effort has failed to unseat the Alaska state senator overseeing the ethics investigation into whether Gov. Sarah Palin abused her power when she dismissed the state's public safety commissioner. Democratic Sen. Hollis French was accused of manipulating the probe for political effect on the national and state elections. Republican Rep. John Coghill last week asked the Alaska Legislative Council to discuss replacing French as the probe's project director. On Monday, the head of the Legislative Council turned down his request. Democratic Sen. Kim Elton responded that he is sure that partisan politics can be kept out of the probe.