April Hackney, political creative force, dies

By
Suzanne Downing
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8

April Hackney, half of the political team Hackney & Hackney, died early this morning at Providence Hospital after a brief illness. News of her death moved quickly through political circles after a note was posted on Facebook by her husband, Art Hackney.

The Hackneys served as Alaska state chairs during former Republican President George W. Bush’s 2000 and 2004 presidential campaigns. In 2015, the Hackneys were selected to lead the Alaska campaign for Republican U.S. Senator Marco Rubio’s 2016 presidential bid. Their clients have included Congressman Don Young and many other political figures and aspiring candidates. The Hackneys also founded Alaskafirst.org and Alaska’s Future, which worked to oppose higher taxes on the oil and gas industry.

April was born in Sitka on Feb. 23, 1964, and was of Tlingit/Russian heritage. She moved to Anchorage in 1985 and joined Holden Hackney & Breeze, a political and advertising agency as administrative assistant and then production manager. In 1990, she and Art married and they formed the political consultancy Hackney & Hackney, which they built into one of Alaska’s most well-known corporate and political media companies.

She served as treasurer for the Alaska Federation of Republican Women, the Anchorage Republican Women’s Club and District 13 Republicans, and was selected as a Whip for the 2000 National Republican Convention in Philadelphia.
April was voted one of the “Top Forty Under 40” rising influential people for Alaska for 1999/2000. She loved to travel and made numerous trips to the African continent, Australia, Mexico, Costa Rica, and across Europe. She was also a talented artist, and a fashionable dresser who loved fun hats, new shoes, sun dresses and sparkles. Her smile lit up a room.
Must Read Alaska will update this story when service details become available.

8 COMMENTS

  1. So sad to hear of the untimely passing of this force of nature. My heart goes out to the community of Anchorage and her dear husband Art.

  3. We were heart broken to lean of April’s passing. Thank for this wonderful tribute to April. She was a talented political professional, a friend and a special lady. Those of us who were blessed to have known and worked with her are richer for it. Our prayers are with Art.

  4. Dear Art,
    So very sad to learn of April’s passing. She was a dynamo and a force to be reconed with, she will leave such a deep void in the Anchorage and Alaska political community.
    All my thoughts and prayers.
    Vince Mee

  8. Can’t stop crying, April. It’s been 2 weeks tomorrow and your dad will be home soon. Our hearts, so shattered, the tears fall like a waterfall. See you soon dear friend ♥ We love you, Art. Hang on.

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