“It is rare for ARA to support a political candidate, but a candidate as experienced and qualified as Tara Katuk Sweeney is also rare,” said ARA President Kim Reitmeier. “As our nation’s first Alaska Native Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs, Tara fought tirelessly from our nation’s capital in Washington D.C. to help create jobs and economic opportunity for all Alaskans, including those in rural communities.”
Born and raised in Alaska, Tara has a unique understanding of our state’s issues. She has a proven ability to listen, learn and bring people together to solve problems, successfully advocating for responsible resource development, infrastructure projects, and equitable access to broadband, housing, and transportation.
“Tara has made a tremendous positive impact on Alaska both in the public and private sectors,” said ARA Vice-Chair and Bering Straits Native Corporation President and CEO Gail R. Schubert. “Her public service at the international level as Chair of the multi-national Arctic Economic Council, at the national level as Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs in the Department of the Interior, and at the state level as Co-Chair of the Alaska Federation of Natives and as Special Assistant for Rural Affairs and Education during the Murkowski administration have well-prepared her to represent all of Alaska as our only member in the House of Representatives.”
In addition to her work locally and internationally, she also served as the late Congressman Don Young’s campaign co-chair. The special election to fill the remainder of Young’s term begins with a by-mail open primary June 11. The top four vote getters will advance to a special ranked-choice general election on August 16.
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About ANCSA Regional Association (ARA): ARA represents the presidents and chief executive officers of the twelve land-based Alaska Native regional corporations that were created pursuant to the passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971. ARA’s member corporations are owned by more than 150,000 Alaska Native shareholders. Its purpose is to promote and foster the continued growth and economic strength of Alaska Native corporations on behalf of Alaska Native shareholders and communities. Together, ANCSA corporations employ tens of thousands in Alaska and across the world, providing critical support for national industries as well as communities throughout Alaska. Learn more at ancsaregional.com.