Candidate for Alaska Legislature Interview Series
Heath Smith, Candidate for Alaska State Senate Seat C
Heath Smith is one of three candidates running for Alaska State Senate Seat C, which is the current seat of retiring Senate President Gary Stevens. In this candidate interview, Heath Smith introduces himself to Alaskans, shares his motivation for running, and his experience while serving on Homer City Council. He also identifies his top three priorities: securing a stable budget with PFD protections, supporting affordable and reliable energy through AK LNG and hydro projects, and communicating transparently with constituents.
This interview kicks off our new Candidate for Alaska Legislature Interview series designed to inform Must Read Alaska readers about candidates running for State Senate and State House of Representatives. We are starting with introductions, and then we will ask candidates to dive deep into policy issues.
Congressional races are just as important as the gubernatorial election. Checks-and-balances and representation in government are bedrocks of American government, and the Legislature plays an essential role in preserving those principles.
Are you running for an Alaska state congressional office and want to participate in our Candidate Interview series? Contact editor@mustreadalaska today! ALL candidates running for legislative office in the Alaska State Legislature are welcome to participate! Interviews published as part of this series are conducted via email with questions and responses unaltered beyond minor grammar-related changes.
Interview with Heath Smith
Must Read Alaska: Tell us a bit about yourself. What’s your background? How long have you been in Alaska? What brought you here?
Heath Smith: I am a lifelong Alaskan and recently retired from UPS after 28 years with the company. I made a career built on delivering. I was born and raised here; my wife was born here, and all six of our children are Alaskans as well. Both sets of my grandparents moved here when Alaska was still a territory, so my roots in this state run three generations deep. Alaska is not just where I live— it’s home, and it’s the place my family has chosen to stay and invest our lives in. I served on the Homer City Council for six years and am currently serving on the Homer Planning and Zoning Commission.
MRAK: Why are you running for State Senate?
Heath: I am running for State Senate because I believe Alaska needs a course correction and a renewed commitment to results, not just rhetoric. Over the last several decades, we’ve seen a pattern in Juneau of the same arguments, the same gridlock, and short‑term thinking that undermines our long‑term stability. That pattern has made the future less certain for our kids and grandkids. I’m running to bring fresh energy, a strong work ethic, and a focus on outcomes— so we can restore trust in government, adopt a responsible fiscal plan, and give Alaskans confidence that their leaders are actually tackling problems instead of talking past each other. That said, the bi-partisan majority has failed Alaskans on the most important issues. We need to reconstitute the Republican majority and work together to show Alaskans we are effective leaders.
MRAK: What was the most significant lesson you learned while serving on Homer City Council?
Heath: The most significant lesson I learned is that listening is just as important as voting. You can’t represent people well if you only listen to those who already agree with you. Echo chambers can create blind spots. I also saw how even small local decisions— about infrastructure, services, or regulations— can have a big impact on families and small businesses. That experience taught me to weigh the real‑world consequences of every vote and to look for practical solutions rather than perfect ones. It’s a mindset I will take with me to the State Senate.
MRAK: What would you say are the top 2-3 challenges Alaska faces and how would you address them?
Heath: Alaska faces three major connected challenges: an unstable fiscal path, high energy costs, and a growing lack of trust in government’s ability to deliver results. We cannot keep lurching from one budget fight to the next or relying on temporary windfalls and wars to fund Alaskans’ important needs.
My priorities will be to tackle those challenges head on. First, I will work for a credible fiscal plan that stabilizes our budget, protects the Permanent Fund and the Dividend, and gives Alaskans confidence that we can fund essential services without constant crisis. Second, I will support a long-term energy strategy that focuses on affordable, reliable power— including responsible progress on a gas line and development of hydro projects— so communities across Alaska have stable energy costs for the future. Third, I will work to restore trust and accountability in state government by insisting on transparency in how decisions are made and how money is spent, and by being accessible and straightforward with the people I represent. My promise is to listen, to be honest about the tradeoffs we face, and to make decisions that reflect my commitment to Alaska’s future.
MRAK: What’s your favorite thing about Alaska?
It’s home! All my kids and grandkids live here, and I want them to have every possible opportunity to allow them to keep it that way.
Learn more about Heath Smith at Heath Smith for Senate.
Are you running for Alaska Senate or Alaska House of Representatives? Please consider participating in our Candidate Interview series! Contact editor@mustreadalaska today! ALL candidates running for legislative office at state level are welcome to participate!
Must Read Alaska unequivocally supports the election of conservative candidates to office in the Alaska State Legislature, but does not endorse any one particular candidate.
