Dear Friend,

Local elections have the largest impacts on our day-to-day lives – they shape the backbone of our communities, from housing, roads, and public safety, to climate resilience and dealing with natural disasters. They also typically have low voter turnout – so each vote can make a huge difference.

With that context in mind, we are especially excited to share our official endorsements for the October 7 Fairbanks Local Elections! The Alaska Center is proud to stand behind leaders who advance clean air and water, healthy salmon and communities, and a vibrant, inclusive democracy. Please share this blog, talk to friends about the importance of voting, and help amplify our collective voice for change.

Our Board of Directors has voted to endorse the following candidates:

• Mindy O’Neall, Fairbanks City Mayor
• Sue Sprinkle, Fairbanks City Council
• Crystal Tidwell, Fairbanks City Council
• Garrett Armstrong, Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly
• Patrick Roach, Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly

Visit the endorsements page on our website to learn more about each candidate.

It’s a scary time in our nation and it’s easy to be discouraged. But the answer to fear is fellowship and community, and hopelessness is a downward spiral I know that I’m fighting most days. By taking action on my values, I reduce my anxiety and feel more hopeful. If you don’t live around Fairbanks, you can still have a role – please share this blog with all your Fairbanks area connections, and ask your friends directly what their plan is to vote!

I hope each of you can take the time to engage on a local level to help channel your values and energy into better communities and happier neighbors. As Mindy O’Neall, candidate for mayor, said in her questionnaire, “Climate resilience is pivotal to our public health, economic stability, and long-term survival, as well as an environmental issue that impacts the outcomes of local community infrastructure.”