State Representative Gene Whisnant of Sunriver has been named "Legislator of the Year" by the American Legislative Exchange Council. Whisnant says he one of eight chosen in the nation by ALEC. "The organization is based upon Jeffersonian principals of free market. They advocate free market, individual liberty, limited government and federalism. It’s a nonpartisan, public-private partnership of state legislators a members of the private sector." Whisnant says he's very honored to receive this award, and he's very happy serving. In fact;.he says he's planning to run again in 2012. Whisnant has been an Oregon State Representative since 2003, and with the new legislative boundaries, will also represent about 2000 more people in Bend.