Republican House District 23 candidate Kathy Henslee announced a suite of important endorsements for her primary race for the Mid-South Anchorage seat.
Former Gov. Sean Parnell is perhaps the most well-known endorser of the political newcomer trying to unseat Democrat Chris Tuck.
“I’m happy to endorse Kathy Henslee,” wrote Parnell. “She is exactly the leader we need to create opportunities for all Alaskans.”
Former Rep. Ralph Samuels has also endorsed Henslee, as did the former Chairman of the Alaska Republican Party, Tuckerman Babcock.
Current Assemblywoman Jamie Allard met Henslee at Kriner’s Diner on Tuesday and the two had lunch at the cafe before walking the district with flyers. (photo above, Henslee is on the left, Allard on the right.)
Her opponent in the primary, Connie Dougherty, has an advantage; she ran in 2018 for this seat, and still has some valuable name recognition. A hair stylist, Dougherty lost to incumbent Tuck, 2,973 to 2,605.
The district should be winnable for Republicans but has been a stubborn one. It has 2,665 Republicans and 2,054 Democrats, but Tuck has held the seat since 2014, and also represented part of the district as District 22 before redistricting changed political boundaries.
Henslee is the former program director for “Priceless,” a faith-based group that works with women who have been rescued from sex traffickers.
The primary ends on Aug. 18.