Alaska State Sen. Shelley Hughes is set to make a major announcement about her political future this evening at a public gathering in Palmer. Political prognosticators believe she is announcing her long-awaited run for governor.
The event will take place at 6:30 pm in the recently refurbished barn at Rebarchek Park, located on the south end of the Alaska State Fairgrounds, just outside the gated area.
In a preview statement, Hughes struck an optimistic tone about the road ahead: “We are on the verge of big and new things in Alaska,” Hughes said. “But we need to be smart in the meantime. If we do things right, I have no doubt that the sun will be rising in our great state in a game-changing way — in a way that will positively and multi-generationally impact our livelihoods and our pursuit of happiness. We’ve always known Alaska has promising potential. It’s time we work together to unleash and realize it.”
Hughes began her public service in the Alaska House of Representatives in 2013 before moving to the Senate in 2017. She has represented the Palmer area and surrounding communities for over a decade. Her district has included greater Palmer, Chugiak, Knik-Fairview, and Settlers Bay. Over the years, she has held key leadership roles including Senate Majority Leader, Chair of both the Judiciary and Education Committees, and a seat on the influential Senate Resources Committee.
Hughes has also had a strong footprint nationally. She currently serves as vice chair of the National Federalism Commission, focusing on restoring balance between federal and state authority. She is Alaska’s delegate to the National Conference of State Legislatures’ Artificial Intelligence Task Force, and she chairs a 36-member bipartisan working group aimed at strengthening food security and growing Alaska’s agriculture sector. Additionally, she sits on the national board of the State Agriculture and Rural Leaders.
Known as one of the most accessible legislators in Juneau, Hughes has built her career on listening to constituents and emphasizing the importance of civic engagement.
Those unable to attend the announcement in person can tune in virtually via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2036153616?omn=86320546025
Meeting ID: 203 615 3616
One-tap mobile:
+1 253-205-0468,,2036153616#
+1 253-215-8782,,2036153616#
Hughes has not revealed the specific nature of her announcement, but it’s a poorly kept secret that she is running for statewide office.
She’s resigning? Oh, happy day!
Totally agree, she is vicious and flaky.
What planet are you from? Probably not even in her district, much less ever discussed issues with her.
Most likely a TDS person as well!
No
All airheads deserve a chance to blow up their sailing balloon! This is the beginning of another “Around the World in 80 Days!” The stories never end with this airhead.
Definitely not the sharpest tool in the shed.
She’s got a college degree and raised four children. She’s smart and capable. Hope you support women in elected positions instead of calling them airheads. Have you ever met her, had a conversation with her? Or are you just assuming she’s dumb based on a misogynist world view – that can even come from another woman?
Governor Hughes?
Dear God, I hope not.
Bernadette Wilson is a better choice.
If she makes decisions as an elected official as she does in her own private life with her multiple baby daddies, Alaska won’t come out ahead.
Shelley Hughes is the best elected official to ever represent me in government. She has my vote without question. The only sad part is replacing her in the Senate. That would literally be impossible.
Sounds fantastic, just one thing,there’s a about 3-4 excellant candidates NOW to CHOOSE from. Probably need to wittle down a few so as not to split the vote for a “NO” win.
OK, remember we have the Jungle Primary. That is where the voter picks ONE person on the ballot. So, there is no “splitting the vote” at that stage. Then, for the General Election, yes is where the top 4. Just like we did last election, people were encouraged to vote for one person only. That was how Dunleavy and others got elected. We let the Dems split the vote. The ARP did an excellent job on that with the Begich race, keeping the convict on the ballot while we voted for Nick and the Dems voted for the convict and Petola.
Both Shelley and Bernadette have pledges to drop if they don’t win the Jungle Primary and support the other. Understand that if Click Bishop makes the top 4 that his voters will Democrats and RINO’s, as things stand now, no idea of whom the Dem/Socialists will run.
Ya. You don’t have to partisipate in the ranked choice voting in the general election. I hope for a strong administration so things can get done.
I can’t keep up; is this one a ‘rino’ ?
Or is she solid?
She’s a strong candidate with a proven track record and respect. It’s official: ‘https://alaskansforhughes.com/.
Definitely!!.
Permanent Fund will permanently go away
That happened years ago.
And yet the Treasury Warrants continue to be issued and deposited into the recipients accounts.
Once again the Masked Dude conflates his opinions with reality.
She is one that wants to protect the PFD.
To me, she seems like the strongest candidate amongst the GOP candidates in the running. Bernadette Wilson, total garbage. Divisive, mean, snobbish. Dahlstrom, total garbage. She’s like the conservative’s favorite politician to hate because she comes across as seeming so weak—and she might not be. But she always seems to be slinking around quietly in dark corners… so people simply don’t trust her. Bishop: another strong candidate.
Now.
Are republicans going to let their 6-way race throw an easy win to the Dems? I predict an emphatic YES. It’s the only thing Alaska’s Republican Party is actually good at.
Agree with your first paragraph. Remember this is the Jungle Primary. Both Bernadette Wilson and Shelley Hughes have pledge if either on of them comes in second to the other, they will drop from the General.
What we need to do is what we did to win with Nick Begich and Mike Dunleavy, vote for one and one only, let the Dems split the vote.
Hughes not good any longer for our great State, she’s already lined her pockets
Another career Politician! She and Devries need to go away!
Although she won’t win, she SHOULD win. So many in Alaska do not want the best for the people of Alaska, they want as much as they can get; they won’t vote for someone like Hughes.
I’m a donor, putting my money where my hopes lie.
Is she gonna follow Dunleavy’s marching orders and be a no show for first 5 days of the special session?
Or is she gonna show up to represent her constituents, vote, and defend her vote?
She’s dodged budget votes before. If she does it again then she’s another empty suit devoid of leadership and full of subterfuge, just like Dunleavy.
She will be there and a NO. Got that straight from her. Did you even bother to call her. Not!
Anyone, absolutely ANYONE beats a person with a (D) behind their name. They are so consumed by hatred and revenge. They believe in indoctrinating our children to become their little activists to carry out the dirty work they won’t do. They want to transition our children with their reprehensible transgender ideology without parental consent. They want open borders knowing that will definitely destroy our country. They have become a danger to our country and our children.
Interesting.
It appears that Shelley Hughes is a polarizing figure. Having had conversations with her, I always thought of her as a plainspoken no-nonsense staunch conservative. She would make a great governor, as she is no pushover and understand the legislature.
So to Barb, DK, Shera, Pops and 3rd I pose this question:
What votes or policy statements do you object to and why do you characterize Mrs. Hughes in the very unflattering, yet un-enlighting terms in your posts? Please give examples.
Thank you!
Not holding my breath on an answer! Great post!
Who cares if Hughes “is a staunch conservative?”
A Taxpayer should show us all of Shelley’s “staunchly conservative” VOTES, since he(?) is convinced Shelley’s a great conservative candidate.
As for me, we’re still suffering with outrageous crime, vandalism, and homelessness as a direct result of Shelley’s SB 91 that she pushed for.
So, as a “staunchly conservative” candidate, Shelley SUCKS!
Shera, so I looked up Senator Hughes voting record on SB91 in 2016. From what I can ascertain, she voted for final passage, yet she initially voted “no”. It should further be pointed out that SB91 was replaced and effectively repealed in 2019 (Senator Hughes voted for the repeal) and the repeal/replace legislation signed by the governor into law. So any issues you have with crime etc can really not be blamed on SB91, since it has not been the law of the land since 2019.
I can highly recommend a perusal of Senator Hughes voting record. It is readily available on the state’s website under the “Legislature” tab.
You have to be kidding! You said it yourself – she voted for final passage. Come on! Shelley voted to make our crime problem way worse and you want to give her a pass because it was repealed 3 years later? Tremendous and lasting damage was done in those 3 short years.
The point is Shelley voted FOR making our crime problems WORSE. And if that werent’ enough, she lobbied – HARD – for SB 91 before it was passed.
And when I look at her voting record, https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Member/Detail/34?code=hus#tab7_4, I don’t see anything good in there.
Shelley Hughes is a RINO when she votes and she ducks out of many controversial votes in committee and on the Senate Floor.
Shera, unlike apparently you, I am not a “one subject” voter and do not hang my hat on just one vote.
Did I appreciate that Senator Hughes voted for final passage of SB91? No not at all, but I do give her credit for understanding the mistake that was made and rectifying it at the earliest opportunity. That you still claim that there is damage from this bill 6 years after the repeal is interesting. You should contact your local jurisdiction law enforcement and alert them.
Will I find a legislator, who votes 100% the way I want? No, in fact that would be creepy.
I did look at her voting record from this session and she voted on all bills and was only excused twice. (BTW being excused does not imply “ducking” as legislators have to have a valid reason for not being present.) I don’t look at committee votes, because some legislators sit on multiple committees and may have scheduling conflicts. The final bill vote is what counts in my book.
Senator Hughes is more fiscally conservative and I appreciated her “No” vote on SB113 the internet tax bill or the veto override HB 57, she also did not support a resolution asking our congressional delegation to oppose cuts to Medicaid.
As I said in my earlier post, I have had conversations with Senator Hughes over the years and found her straightforward and principled. That she and I do not agree on everything is a given in my world.
I look at the governor field and at this time Senator Hughes seems the best out of the bunch. That you do not agree is your prerogative and you will vote for the candidate of your choice.
I simply get irritated when people make rude and disparaging remarks without any background. I respect your opinion, but I do NOT have to agree with you. That is MY prerogative and the way our representative republic works!
She needs to polish up her delivery. I got bored in the beginning of her announcement and turned it off. Nothing come through that I was interested in. Come on people: start saying why you are a better choice than all the other candidates!
Because we’re stuck with RCV, looks like the conservatives are headed for another circular firing squad, unless in the end , they can unite behind the obvious best candidate that can win!!
Sign the “Get Rid Of Rank Choice Voting!” ASAP !! And hopefully we can get rid of this thing once and for all
Tired of all the girl power, girl boss hear me roar stuff. It hasn’t served us well generally speaking.
Shelly and Bernadette. Two good choices on the Republican side. Cheers –