Legislature Candidates Guide
Following the Primary Election, AMA reached out to all candidates for the Alaska Legislature and offered to feature their statement in this well-read issue of the Alaska Miner magazine. We suggested candidates share their values, priorities for Alaska and anything else they’d like Alaska’s miners to know ahead of the November elections, which will define our state for generations to come. The following statements were submitted directly by the candidates and should not be considered endorse- ments by AMA, nor should their positions be considered positions of AMA. Also, although all candidates received the invitation, some candidates did not submit state- ments. Those that did are included in the following pages. The General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Candidates for Alaska Legislature share views with miners
NOTE: Grant Echohawk did not submit a profile
HOUSE DISTRICT 3, MENDENHALL VALLEY, HAINES/SKAGWAY/ GUSTAVUS Andi Story I am a 38-year resident of beautiful Southeast Alaska, living in Juneau. I am honored to repre- sent District 3 (Northern Mendenhall Valley, Haines,
HOUSE CANDIDATES
HOUSE DISTRICT 1, KETCHIKAN/WRANGELL/METLAKATLA Jeremy Bynum
Agnes Moran I was born and raised in Ketchikan. I am running for state house because I understand the issues facing communities in District 1: a lack of affordable
I’d like to introduce myself and tell you a little bit about who I am, where I’ve been, and why I’m here. I understand what it means to be part of a small
housing, a fishing industry in crisis, continuous cuts to our PFD, and years of stag- nant education funding. As Executive director of Women in Safe Homes (WISH), a member of the Alaska Mental Health Trust Board, and a director on the FirstBank Board, I have worked to address these issues.
community and to expe- rience industry changes that affect rural areas. I grew up in rural Oregon, spending my teenage years in the small logging town of Roseburg, where the timber industry was a way of life. By the time I graduated high school,
Klukwan, Gustavus and Skagway). I have served in the State House for six sessions. Before being elected to the House in 2018, I was a five - term Juneau School Board Member. We, in Juneau,
are fortunate to have Hecla Greens Creek and the Coeur Kensington mines in our community, they are good neighbors to Juneau, provide hundreds of well-paying jobs, are the biggest private employ- er in our community and contribute hugely. As a school board member, I saw contributions that were made to our science curriculums, reading tutors program, student activities and growth of dual enrollment classes, such as Intro to Mining that are being offered for good post-secondary careers for Alaskans. The Constantine Mine and others across the state are in various stages of exploration and mining work that must meet environmental stan- dards to protect our water, fish, and environment in order to operate. My legislative priorities include working in a bipartisan way with legislators, the Governor and the public for the issues I hear on the minds of Alaskans: economic stability and growth, protecting the Permanent Fund and Dividend, safe and healthy communities, permanent education investments, workforce development and retention, childcare, transportation (including the marine highway) and affordable housing and energy. Addressing many of these issues will help stop outmigration and encourage in-migration to our state. This involves working with communities and the private sector to encourage and support responsible economic de- velopment projects. It involves investing in our hu- man infrastructure for a pipeline of skilled workers and active citizens. Tough decisions regarding our revenue and the structure of our Permanent Fund (the envy of other states), are necessary and action is critical for economic stability and positive growth. I ask for your vote and look forward to working with everyone on a way forward. HOUSE DISTRICT 4, JUNEAU DOWNTOWN/DOUGLAS/AIRPORT Sara Hannan We're facing challeng-
At WISH I brought over $20 million of grant funding into District 1 communities. I secured funding to place counselors and social workers into local schools. I developed a housing program that moved over 100 individuals and families out of homelessness and into stable housing. As a director for FirstBank, I see firsthand the hardships fisher - men are facing: higher costs, the lowest fish prices in decades, and fewer processors to sell to. I am running for state house because I under- stand the issues our communities are facing and I have an established track record of addressing them.
timber jobs were on the decline, encouraging me to consider alternate career paths. This led me to join the U.S. Air Force in 1995, setting me on a journey that eventually brought me to Ketchikan. My career in energy began in the U.S. Air Force, where I served as a power generation specialist. Af- ter earning my engineering degree in 2005, I began my career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Hydroelectric Design Center. I worked in hydropow- er across the U.S. and abroad. Over a decade ago, I began spending summers in Ketchikan and quickly felt at home in Southeast Alaska. I now work as the Electric Division Manager for Ketchikan Public Utilities and enjoy participating in community life, including officiating high school basketball games. My wife, Carolyn, and I love our island life in Southeast Alaska, exploring its natural beauty and volunteering in our community. I currently serve on the Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly and sit on the Ketchikan Campus Advisory Council for the University of Alaska Southeast. I also serve on the Southeast Alaska Power Agency (SEAPA) Board of Directors, National Association of Counties (NACo) Veterans and Military Services Committee, Alaska Power Association Board of Directors, and remain active with the American Legion Post 3 as an Executive Board Member. I am running for Alaska State Rep- resentative for District 1 because I am committed to securing a strong future for our region and Alaska. As someone deeply committed to the eco- nomic future of our state, I firmly believe that resource development, including mining, is key to Alaska’s prosperity. My professional background has equipped me with the practical experience necessary to understand the critical challenges our state faces. My priorities focus on creating a stable, long- term fiscal plan that protects Alaska’s Permanent Fund, while simultaneously ensuring our ability to develop and manage our state’s natural resources. The mining industry plays a significant role in this, providing jobs, fostering economic growth, and supporting local communities. I am committed to policies that promote a healthy business environ- ment, including streamlining regulations where possible to allow industries like mining to thrive while ensuring good stewardship of our lands.
HOUSE DISTRICT 2, SITKA/PETERSBURG/YAKUTAT Rebecca Himschoot
As a nonpartisan candidate I am committed to issues-based decision making and to pragmatic
problem solving. I believe Alaskans are hard-working, fair-minded, and com- munity-oriented. I have represented the coastal communities of House District 2 in line with these values, and I look forward to continuing to work on behalf of the entire district. Recently I learned it
takes a mine in the United States on average 29 years to receive all the necessary permits to oper- ate. Like the miners I know, I am committed to safe and sustainable mining operations, and I would like to see a fair and thorough vetting process that can be completed in a more timely manner. I will always focus on supporting working Alaskans and I see the mining industry as an important sector of Alaska's economy. After nearly three decades in Southeast Alaska, I am still fascinated by this part of the state and enjoy being on the water or in the hills whenever I get the chance. Last year I retired from a career as an educator at the elementary level and have been enjoying more time to read, cook, hike, and visit friends and family. Serving in the Legislature and getting to know the 21 communities in the district have been the honor of my lifetime.
ing times, but a bright side is that Alaska remains re- source rich. In Juneau, our two local mines, Greens Creek, and Kensington, are important drivers in our economy. They are the two largest property taxpayers
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The Alaska Miner
Fall 2024
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