Jessica Kusner-Kalarchik

Jessica Kusner-Kalarchik served in the U.S. Army from 1993 to 2023. Kusner-Kalarchik earned a high school diploma from CMR High School and a bachelor's degree from the University of Alaska, Anchorage in 2013.

Her career experience includes working as a registered nurse.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am 51 years old and grew up primarily in Montana before joining the Army right out of high school. My second enlistment as a paratrooper brought me to Alaska, and my continued military service kept bringing me back. I recently retired after 31 years in the armed forces and multiple combat deployments. Alongside my military career, I have spent a decade working as a Registered Nurse, specializing in medical-surgical care, the operating room, and serving as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. I am the proud parent of two daughters and have five grandchildren. Today, I reside on a rural property east of Palmer along the Glenn Highway. Like many of you, I am frustrated with how our state government is currently operating. I feel a strong calling to step up and enact real change. I am running to provide the hardworking residents of District 29 with better leadership and a clear alternative at the ballot box.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Rural Infrastructure

Support dependable roads, utilities, as well as the AK Marine Ferry system in Valdez. Make community investments that help rural Alaskans stay connected and thrive.Rural Healthcare Access

Expand access to care and protect women’s health so families across District 29 can get the support they need. Emphasis must be made in our rural communities to address the lack of resources when it comes to missing and murdered indigenous and native women in Alaska. I intend to make this a priority.Permanent Fund and Resource development

Protect the Permanent Fund and approach state finances with transparency, stability, and long-term responsibility. Ensure that Alaskans reap the benefits of our vast mineral wealth without giving away the farm to special interests and sweetheart deals to politicians.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I plan to advocate for all Alaskans, not just republicans or democrats. We need to put aside partisanship and and the irrational hate that it brings. We need to all acknowledge that we can respect each other's unique and different perspectives without demonizing opposing views. At the end of the day, we are all Americans. I hope to represent my district as an example of what competent leadership for everyone looks like. Thank you.