OPINION: Tara Sweeney is the woman for the job

Alaskans are looking forward to summer, but this year, something historic is happening between salmon runs and halibut derbies: a special election to replace our legendary Congressman Don Young. With 48 names for voters to choose from in a new open primary system, and just weeks to make their case, standing out will be a challenge for many candidates.

For that reason, many are lining up to claim Congressman Young’s mantle. As Alaskans know, Congressman Young had many friends and he made his decisions based on what was right for Alaska, and so should we. Making that decision starts with acknowledging the challenges that our new representative will face.

When Alaska lost Congressman Young, we didn’t just lose a vote in Congress. We lost the most experienced congressman on Capitol Hill, a veteran legislator with bipartisan relationships, knowledge and experience that gave him influence far beyond that of his single vote.

For a state with only one representative among 435, the quality of that representative matters deeply. They need to be able to hit the ground running, prepared from Day 1 to be involved in the budget process, consider a vital China competition bill, and put Alaska first in the annual National Defense Authorization Act.

Knowledge of Alaska, experience in government, and relationships throughout the state and nation won’t just be important for this person’s ability to succeed — they will be essential. When it comes to these qualifications, there is one candidate that stands above the rest of the field, and we are proud to say it: Tara Sweeney is the clear choice for Alaska. There’s a reason Alaskans of all political leanings and backgrounds are voicing their support for Tara.

Sweeney has the experience, skills and strength to take on this challenge, as demonstrated by her extensive track record. She has served Alaska internationally as chair of the multi-national Arctic Economic Council. She was also the first Alaska Native Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs in the Department of the Interior, co-chair of the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN), and special assistant for Rural Affairs and Education during Gov. Frank Murkowski’s administration. Her work in these positions were exemplary, helping craft policies that greatly benefited Alaska.

Her leadership in the Department of the Interior helped Alaska receive nearly $450 million in congressionally directed COVID relief funding that was put in jeopardy due to litigation coming from outside organizations. These groups did not realize the unique structure of Alaska and sought to hold back critical aid for our communities during a period of healing. That funding made a very real difference in Alaska’s recovery, helping provide direct assistance and cover the expenses of health responders throughout our state.

When politicians in Washington, D.C., don’t understand Alaska, Alaskans need someone who will make them understand. Tara Sweeney’s experience shows that she will stand tall in the face of adversity because of her connection to our great state — having grown up on the North Slope and worked in remote communities. These connections are essential for an effective Alaska representative, who will represent the largest and most diverse state in the Union.

Our representative needs personal, first-hand knowledge of what it’s like to live here. They need to know which communities to this day function without running water or reliable Internet. They need to know what it’s like to raise a family and run a small business here. They need to know how federal rules impact the availability of staple subsistence foods and key resource development projects that will create jobs and bring further investment into our state.

Sweeney has learned all of these lessons firsthand. This is why she is such a powerful advocate for economic development and the Alaska Native community, as demonstrated by her prior leadership positions on influential business and cultural boards. She has served her Alaska Native regional corporation and its subsidiaries in various capacities for nearly two decades.

Throughout his entire career, Congressman Don Young never forgot who he served: the people of Alaska. Tara Sweeney is the most capable candidate for this critical role. She understands Alaska’s challenges, and she has lived them and led the charge at all levels to fight for the needs of all Alaskans.

In Tara Sweeney, Alaskans will have a new champion to take up our fight. Alaska voters have a historic opportunity before them: to fill the seat of America’s longest-serving representative in Congress with its first Alaska Native woman, and to demonstrate in the process that Alaska’s voice has not diminished — instead, it has grown stronger.

Vote for Alaska’s future — vote Tara Sweeney for US House.

Sheri Buretta, Chugach Alaska Corporation chairman of the board, is president of Alaskans for TARA. Gail Schubert, President and CEO of Bering Straits Native Corporation (BSNC) is vice-president, Michelle Anderson, President of Ahtna Inc., is treasurer, and Sarah Lukin, chief strategy officer for Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI) is secretary.

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