Senator Shelley Hughes

Building consensus to solve Alaska’s problems without forsaking conservative values. That’s the goal of Senator Shelley Hughes, who represents Senate District M, which includes Greater Palmer, Fairview Loop, and Settlers Bay.

Senator Hughes understands that Alaska’s state government’s size and cost is disproportionate to Alaska’s small population and economic output. Both sides of that equation must be fixed. To secure a bright future for Alaskan  families, solutions are needed to make state government more efficient and affordable, to put our fiscal house in order, to improve student academic outcomes, to lower healthcare costs, to increase food security, and to halt the repeat offender cycle, put an end to human trafficking, and deter sexual crimes. Shelley has championed and continues to champion solutions for each of these.

Senator Hughes is a proven leader with 12 years of experience as a legislator and work on multiple bills that have been signed into law to include a tax exemption for farm structures, the repeal of SB 91, read by nine policy in schools, streamlining business licensing, strengthening the power of attorney law and decriminalizing industrial hemp among others. During her service, Hughes secured Glenn Highway median crossovers and all-night highway lighting, opened the policy door to the unmanned aircraft industry, and led policy work on Artificial Intelligence. She has been in the Senate since 2017 where she has served as Education Chair, Judiciary Chair, and as Senate Majority Leader. This year, Senator Hughes is serving on the Resources and Health & Social Services Committees along with the Special Committee on World Trade. In addition, she serves on the national board of State Ag and Rural Leaders, is vice president of NCSL Law and Public Safety Committee, and is Alaska’s Delegate to the Article V Phoenix Correspondence Commission.

Senator Hughes is a former teacher, theatre director, and health care executive but her favorite career in her early years was a busy stay-at-home mom of four, involved with schools, church and local organizations. These experiences taught her why what happens in Juneau is so important. During this time in the 1970’s and 1980’s, the senator lived in Hoonah, Bethel, Fort Yukon, Fairbanks and Seward. She and her husband moved to Palmer in1990 and have since been blessed with twelve grandchildren.

“Those prior years provided me with a statewide perspective and foundational understanding that is incredibly helpful in the Legislature,” she said. “And now, as far as our state’s future and the vision for all that Alaska can be,” Hughes added, “the next generation is what motivates me every day to focus on ensuring opportunities on every front!”

Party: Republican

Toll-Free: 800-565-3743
Email: Sen.Shelley.Hughes@akleg.gov

Session Contact

907-465-3743
State Capitol Room 7
Juneau AK, 99801

Interim Contact

907-376-3725
907-376-4768
600 E Railroad Ave
Wasilla, AK 99654

• Member: (S) HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
• Member: (S) RESOURCES
• Member: (S) SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON WORLD TRADE

• Co-Chair: Legislative Food and Farm Caucus
• Board: State Agricultural and Rural Leaders
• Chair: Alaska Food Strategy Task Force

• Vice-Chair: NCSL Law and Public Safety Standing Committee
• Commissioner: Phoenix Correspondence Commission
• Member: NCSL AI and Cybersecurity Task Force
• Member: CSG Canada Relations
• Member: CSG Interbranch Committee

Anneliese Roberts
Chief of Staff
anneliese.roberts@akleg.gov
JUNEAU: 907-465-5025
INTERIM: 907-376-3725

Eleilia Preston
eleilia.preston@akleg.gov
JUNEAU: 907-465-3743
INTERIM: 907-376-3725

Chuol Both Mut (Intern)
E-mail Forthcoming
JUNEAU: 907-465-3743
INTERIM: 907-376-3725