Republicans like to say Democrats are finished — that their brand is so toxic no one wants to be associated with them. But in Alaska, the opposite is true.
The Democratic Party, working alongside a web of progressive organizations that are surrogate tentacles of the party, is quietly and steadily training the next generation of political leaders through its Alaska Women Ascend program.
Next month, Alaska Women Ascend will host its 2025 Leadership Training on the Alaska Pacific University campus. The program is a 2.5-day intensive, billed as an empowerment track for “progressive women leaders” from across the state. Since its launch in 2017, nearly 400 Alaska women have completed the training. Graduates have gone on to serve as assembly members, nonprofit directors, campaign staffers, mayors, and even state legislators.
The effort is a partnership between the Alaska Democratic Party and a slate of progressive allies, including Progress Alaska, Alaska March On, SEIU, IBEW Local 1547, and 907 Initiative. Former Democratic Party Executive Director Kay Brown, a former legislator and Alaska Democrat royalty, was among the program’s original founders.
This year, AWA is also introducing a “Next Gen Cohort” aimed at women ages 18 to 24, a move that demonstrates the party’s focus on cultivating leadership from the youngest possible ranks, and also its possible realization that it is getting long in the tooth in Alaska. Participants receive hands-on training in campaign work, fundraising, and field operations, alongside mentorship and networking opportunities with party insiders.
By contrast, Alaska Republicans are not offering anything comparable. While conservatives insist Democrats are fading, Democrats are quietly ensuring a pipeline of trained, motivated, and connected leaders will be ready to step into positions of influence for years to come.
The takeaway: The narrative that the Democrats are mortally wounded by their own sword is a possible case of wishful thinking.
