Shelley Hughes

Shelley Hughes was born in Canton, Ohio. She earned an associate degree from Cuyahoga Community College in 1985 and a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Alaska in 2002. Hughes’ career experience includes working as a teacher at Mount Bethel Christian School. She served as the special projects volunteer director at Crossroads Community Church in Palmer.[1][2]

Shelley Hughes did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a 46 year Alaskan, 32 years in Palmer. With my time previously in communities all over the state - Hoonah, Bethel, Fort Yukon, Fairbanks and Seward - I bring a statewide perspective that is unique in the legislature. My husband Rock and I raised our 4 children in Alaska and are blessed with 9 grandchildren and 3 more borrowed grandchildren whom we all love dearly. A background in project leadership, teaching, healthcare, and business, the skillsets most applicable to my job as senator have been listening, consensus building, and achieving solutions. I deeply care about our state, its vitality and its future. As a young mom in Alaska, I struggled under the poverty level. Alaska provided an opportunity for me to change my trajectory. I want opportunities to abound for this and future generations and always weigh matters through a lens of what is best for Alaskans, how can we reduce barriers, how can we promote individual liberties, how can we open doors for individuals to step into their destinies and help ensure vibrant and safe communities. With the constitution as our guide, a commitment to do what is good and right and true, tomorrow can be better than today!

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?

I bring a track record of integrity, vision, and solutions to the Senate, never forgetting I work for all the residents of our district. Because not everyone will agree with me all the time, research, listening, and consensus building are key strategies I continually employ.Past support by the vast majority of the district indicates to me that economic opportunities and stability, safe and vibrant communities, good infrastructure, excellent schools and secure livelihoods are important to you, but you do not want expansive, overbearing, or expensive government. I agree with you 100%. I have and will continue to work on this items with fervor and determination.Bringing tangible solutions forward that we can get across the finish line is better than rhetoric any day of the week: microreactors to lower energy costs for families and to spur economic development and increased school accountability and choice to bring us academically from the bottom of the pile to the top and to equip a ready workforce are two examples.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Economic development (includes affordable energy solutions and infrastructure) and education need to be focus areas to ensure a strong economy and a sure path to a bright future. I also would like to address the unsustainably high cost of healthcare by unlocking free market principles that have not been fully operational in recent years. Success in these three areas will be neutralized if we do not also exercise fiscal discipline with our state budget. We must ensure our spending is better aligned with the size of our state population and economy while also ensuring necessary services. If we don't, we will face a crushing situation when high oil prices and our revenues drop.The PFD should not be a political football and must be settled, not just for the sake of fiscal certainty for the state budget and for the private sector but so the legislature has the bandwidth and focus to address other pressing matters of consequence to Alaskans.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to parents whose children beat the odds, those men and women who did not have much of an education but did something right to build character and work ethic in their children - and then those children went on to become great contributors to our society. Those who were single moms and accomplished this feat are my all-time heroes: Ben Carson's mom is one who comes to mind. I also look up to those who have persevered and overcome obstacles and were strong leaders whose decision-making impacted lives such as Abraham Lincoln in US history and Esther in Jewish history.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Team of Rivals re: Abraham Lincoln

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

My value for the individual, for believing that a person has the right to dream and develop his or her potential is a guiding principle for me. I do not want government and overbearing restrictions and unnecessary burdens instituted by state agencies to hold Alaskans back. The capacity to really listen and grasp and understand what others are thinking is essential in order to build consensus. A good old-fashioned work ethic, a willingness to put in long hours while keeping the goal always in mind is important. An elected official needs to be decisive and speak up when something is going off-track or when learning something new means taking a different position on an issue than the position held prior. Finally, and fundamental to service as an elected official is always, always remember the people are the employer and the Constitution is the law.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

A few key thoughts come to mind give insight into my M.O.:

I am

- thoughtful but a fighter.

- persistent but patient.

- strong but compassionate.

- smart but eager to learn more.

In both the beginning and the end: integrity and character matter.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

- Listen to constituents, ensure they have access to senate office and to information

- Communicate well with folks back home when in the capital during the session

- Consider issues from both the perspective as a district but also as a region in relationship to the entire state

- Build and nurture positive relationships with colleagues of all stripes in both the legislative and executive branches

- Keep your word

- Research and do your homework; be prepared; know how you're going to vote (don't be a follower)

- Know who the experts are you can trust and use as a resource

- Stay accountable to the public: what you say when you campaign should align with what you do in Juneau

What legacy would you like to leave?

I left Alaska better than I found it because I did what was right for the people and honored God in the process.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember the assassination of John F. Kennedy and my parents being glued to the television. I was 5 years old. I remember more vividly the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. at age 10 and being moved deeply by what he stood for and fought for - and following it myself on the news.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

First job in high school was cleaning houses in the summer for two years with a team of women. We worked hard, did a phenomenal job, and had many satisfied customers. I remember using my first few paychecks to pay for damage to the family car (hit a post while backing out of a driveway picking up my little sister from a friend's house).

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Bible. It never gets old and is packed full of wisdom and truth. It guides and feeds me in tough times and good times and reminds me there is more to life than what we see with our eyes; it reminds me that I'm human but there is One who is not and He is accessible to mankind.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Raindrops keep falling on my head - because of the recent rain and getting drenched between my car and a building earlier in the day!

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Good communication between the executive and legislative branches is key but an understanding that the two branches of government are separate. The governor should cast a vision and make proposals but it is up to the legislature to determine what the policy and direction should actually be as well as the budget. In other words, the legislature is to set the course and the governor's duty is to steer the ship. Because there will not always be agreement and each branch has leeway, the wind and waves may make the journey tumultuous at times but ideally there will be forward movement that is good for Alaskans.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

Would need to study this more but with a cursory mental glance, I'd say it removes the check and balance a second chamber would provide. Often important items are missed in the first body of referral and are caught in the second body. I've observed too in our bicameral system, if two bodies pass something, it is more apt to represent the will of the people. When an item passes just one body and is dying in the second, and there is not considerable advocacy from the public to resurrect that item, it is likely the support for the item is not as broad as the first body thought. I suppose a benefit of a unicameral system would be that the process would be more streamlined so the legislative session would be less likely to drag on and special sessions would be rare.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

It can be beneficial for some legislators to have this background experience but it is not necessary for all. I had no prior elected office experience and came straight out of the private sector and that brought a needed fresh perspective. At the same time, others who have previously served on local city councils and on school boards come with an understanding that is helpful when working on certain pieces of legislation.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Absolutely. It's all about relationships and building consensus on solutions.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

System in Alaska seems to work fairly well. I'd be open to hearing suggestions for improvements from those who've been closely involved in the process as well as from the public in general.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

n/a

If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?

As Senate Majority Leader the past two years, I was most concerned about the gridlock on key issues that had been occurring for the prior five years, especially on the education (Read by 9) bill and the sexual crime legislation. Good leadership was need to find a path forward for things that had been stalled due to legislators being wrapped around the axle on the PFD. I knew I could help with that, and I did. We got both those items across the finish line, and I was a key player in making that happen right up until the final hours until adjournment of the session.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Rather than one legislator as a model, I see particular attributes in various legislators I aspire to achieve.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Perhaps. Many Alaskans have asked me to do so but four years is a long time and a lot can happen during that time period, so we shall see.....

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Stories from those who've built their lives after years of substance abuse and perhaps time in prison give me great hope that we can stop the revolving prison door, that we can reduce the recidivisim rate.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

There needs to be a short window the governor can exercise emergency powers but the legislature needs to provide a greater check and balance than what is currently in statute so that specific orders cannot continue on for months. Our disaster statutes were designed for wildfires, flooding and earthquakes - relatively short term events - not for extended pandemics.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Consensus building is key to getting items across the finish line.

Shelley Hughes did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

Hughes' campaign website highlighted the following issues:

Priorities for Shelley Hughes - Are These Important to You Too?

Limit Government - Promote Private Sector

Grow Our Businesses - Create Great Jobs

Develop Resources - Ensure Good Stewardship

Grow Infrastructure - Build Roads

Improve Schools - Develop a Great Workforce

Promote Public Safety - Equip for Emergencies[15]

—Shelley Hughes, [16]