In yesterday’s General Election, Anchorage voters decided on two School Board seats. According to the unofficial election results, Seat C went to Rachel Blakeslee and Seat D went to Paul McDonough.
Blakeslee won against Alexander Rosales with 54.38% of the vote. She was a former educator in Texas and Colorado before moving to Alaska. Her priorities include environmental justice, equity and inclusion in education, and growing and retaining a diverse teaching workforce.
Rachel Blakeslee received endorsements from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 959, Anchorage Education Association, Alaska Public Employees Association (APEA), Alaska Center for Climate and Choice (ACLC), Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates – Alaska; and from individuals including Les Gara, Anchorage School Board Members Margo Bellamy, Kelly Lessens, and Andy Holleman, School Board President Carl Jacobs, School Board Member Pat Higgins, Senate Majority Leader Cathy Giessel, State Representative Zack Fields, Anchorage Assembly Member Zac Johnson, Anchorage Parent Jessica Noble, Anchorage Parents Ellen and Leon Jaimes, and Parent and former high school teacher Megan McBride.
McDonough won against Sharon Gibbons and Dustin Darden with 46.87% of the vote. He formerly taught in the Anchorage School District. His priorities include ending the teacher retention crisis, advocating for more state funding for education, advancing whole-student learning, and seeking equity solutions for Anchorage’s diverse community. Learn more about Paul McDonough here:Paul McDonogh for Anchorage School Board.
Paul McDonogh received endorsements from organizations including the Anchorage Central Labor Council, AFSCME Retirees Alaska Chapter 52, Anchorage Education Association (AEA), Teamsters Local 959, Alaska Public Employees Association, LiUNA! Public Employee 71, Laborers’ Local 341, Alaska State Employees Association PAC, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates – Alaska, and The Alaska Center; and from individuals including State Senators Forrest Dunbar, Elvi Gray‑Jackson, and Bill Wielechowski, State House Representative Carolyn Hall, Anchorage Assembly Chair Chris Constant, Anchorage Assembly Members Anna Brawley and George Martinez, Anchorage School Board Vice President Margo Bellamy, School Board Members Pat Higgins, Andy Holleman, and Kelly Lessens, School Board Candidate Rachel Blakeslee, former ASD Superintendent Carol Comeau, Midtown Assembly Candidate Janice Park, North Anchorage Assembly Candidate Sydney Scout, Meda DeWitt, M.A., Th., and Nyché Andrew, Service High School Graduate (Class of 2021).
