Priorities
Fisheries
Fishing is a big part of who we are in every corner of the state, but especially in coastal Alaska. I grew up commercial fishing in Prince William Sound, and I know how deeply our fisheries are tied to families, jobs, food security, and local economies. The Fisheries Product Development Tax Credit and stronger enforcement of Russian seafood import restrictions are important steps, and I want to help build on the momentum and work of the Seafood Industry Task Force.
Public Safety
I strongly support our law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS providers, search and rescue teams, harbor safety workers, and the reliable communications systems we depend on everyday. Military families are an important part of our district and I strongly support our service members, both active duty and veterans in Coast Guard and Navy, and all those who serve our country. I am committed to ensuring coastal Alaska has the resources to respond to emergencies, support military and working families, and keep people safe.
Education
As a longtime educator, I have spent my career working with students, families, and fellow teachers and staff, and I know how much strong public schools matter to our communities. I also understand the strain schools face when funding fails to keep pace with rising costs. I support stable, predictable school funding, including increasing the Base Student Allocation, so districts can retain qualified educators, keep class sizes manageable, maintain programs, and give every student access to a quality education. I also want to strengthen career and technical education, support opportunities that prepare students for college or the workforce, and make sure our schools have the resources they need to help every student succeed.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs are a real challenge for families across coastal Alaska, and access can be just as difficult. We need to improve our ability to recruit and retain healthcare workers by supporting and incentivizing doctors, nurses, and other providers to live and work in our communities, and making sure families can get the care they need without having to pay even more to travel elsewhere. I will work to strengthen our local hospitals and clinics and workforce, and look for practical ways to bring down costs for all residents.
Ferries
Reliable transportation is essential for coastal Alaska. It is how people get to medical appointments, how students and workers travel, how small businesses move goods, and how our communities stay connected. I will fight for dependable Alaska Marine Highway funding in the operating budget, regular vessel maintenance, a real replacement plan for aging ferries, and schedules that families and businesses can plan around.
Infrastructure
We need practical investments in infrastructure that fit the realities of living in coastal Alaska. That means ports, harbors, roads, water and sewer systems, and repairs to schools and other essential buildings. Across our district, housing and workforce shortages are making it harder to recruit and retain teachers, nurses, first responders, ferry workers, tradespeople, and small business workers. We need to increase our housing supply and ensure that there are more affordable options available. I will prioritize capital budget projects that address these needs and help make it possible for working families to stay, work, and succeed in our communities.
Fiscal Responsibility
Alaska needs a balanced fiscal plan that gives communities stability. I believe in being responsible with public dollars, setting clear priorities for the budget, and protecting the Permanent Fund Dividend. I will work across the aisle on a sustainable fiscal plan that funds essential services and infrastructure without balancing the budget on the backs of working families.
Childcare
Accessible childcare is a real crisis in our communities. In Kodiak, families face long waitlists and very limited options, and the same challenges exist across rural and coastal Alaska. I will work to expand childcare options, support providers struggling to stay open and retain staff, and make childcare more affordable for working families in our district and across Alaska.