2018 Alaska General Elections
Alyse Galvin
Independent (Democratic Party nominee) candidate for U.S. House of Representatives
- U.S. House of Representatives
- Alyse Galvin
- Don Young
- Lieutenant Governor
- Care Clift
- Kevin Meyer
- Debra Call
- Governor
- Billy Toien
- Mark Begich
- Mike Dunleavy
- House District 33
- Sara Hannan
- Chris Dimond
- House District 34
- Andi Story
- Jerry Nankervis
- Senate District Q
- Don Etheridge
- Jesse Kiehl
Age
53
Family
Pat Galvin (husband); Cooper Galvin, Sean Galvin, Bridget Galvin, and Camden Galvin (children)
Occupation
Public education advocate
Relevant previous experience
Leader of Great Alaska Schools, mother of four, former small business owner, hotel manager, construction worker, server, fish processor
Education
BA Political Science, University of California San Diego
Do you believe climate change is caused by human activity?
Yes
How do you typically spend your PFD?
Depends on the year! I’ve spent it on mortgage payments, kids orthodontia, student loan payments, etc.
Budget
What are your priorities for the state budget?
As your congresswoman, I would not play a role in the state budget process. However, I have always held that the priorities for the budget, state and federal, should be what Alaskans care most about: education, healthcare, and public safety.
PFD
Do you agree with using a portion of Alaskans' PFDs to fund state government? If not, what government services would you propose cutting or taxes would you propose raising to pay for it?
Since I am running for federal office, I would not be in a position to weigh in on how the state funds the state budget. That being said, I recognize that using Alaskans’ PFD to pay for government is a regressive policy that ultimately hurts our most vulnerable and harms our economy.
Funding health care
Do you support the state paying health care providers less? If not, how would you limit state spending on health care?
In Congress, I would not be in a position to control how the state pays for health care services. On the federal level, I would support measures that would lower the cost of prescription drugs, like allowing Medicare to negotiate with big pharma and permitting our pharmacies to purchase prescription drugs from Canada and European countries where it is safe. My opponent has voted against these measures.
Criminal justice
Where do you stand on the criminal justice reforms enacted by SB 91 and what changes (if any) would you like to see?
Since Senate Bill 91 is a state law, it is not for the federal government to say what changes should be made. I can tell you that in Congress, I would fight for more funding for public safety in Alaska, such as federal grant programs for additional state troopers and Village Public Safety Officers, resources for combating the opioid epidemic, and additional funding for reentry programs.
Ferries
Would you commit to continue funding the fast ferries as other vessels join the fleet?
The fast ferry ship building projects are through the state and not the federal government. However, one thing that the federal government could do to improve the system and lower costs for users is to invest in our Southeast ports. In Congress, I will fight for more investment in infrastructure projects that will help grow our economy.
Video profile
Alaska Insight video from Alaska Public Media