Former Alaska House Rep. Ron Gillham, a Republican, is challenging the man who beat him in 2022 — Justin Ruffridge, for the House seat representing Soldotna, District 7.
Gillham, a North Slope crane operator and construction superintendent, first ran in 2020 against then-Rep. Gary Knopp, a liberal Republican who was not endorsed by the Republican Party and who died while piloting his small airplane that year.
In 2022, Ruffridge, a pharmacist, jumped in to challenge Gillham from the political left and won the seat by 83 votes.
-
Suzanne Downing founded Must Read Alaska and served as its editor for many years. Her prolific writing spans nearly every topic meaningful to Alaskans. Before founding Must Read Alaska, she served as editor of the Juneau Empire and as a speechwriter for Governor Sean Parnell.
