OPINION: Sweeney deserves your support in Alaska’s U.S. House primary

The Aug. 16 election is just weeks away and the decisions made by Alaska voters will have impacts for years to come. Alaska only has one seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. One vote to serve the full diversity of Alaska residents. For nearly 50 years, Rep. Don Young fought for the best interests of our state, day in and day out. We mourn the loss of our late, great congressman, but also recognize that we must now elect someone who will continue his legacy for the next generation.

Alaska needs a fighter who will work to strengthen and grow our economy; promote the interests of every community in our state; and build a brighter future for our residents. Tara Katuk MacLean Sweeney is that person.

Tara’s long and successful track record of working across the public and private sectors proves her understanding of the nuances and realities that Alaska faces. She can effectively translate the complex needs of our state to leaders in Washington, D.C., and secure support for Alaska’s needs now and into the future.

Tara’s experience uniquely positions her to serve our state. In her more than two decades serving Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, or ASRC, and its subsidiaries, she developed and successfully implemented strategic initiatives related to resource development, broadband deployment, access to capital and industrial and government services. Her expertise was also noticed on an international level when she was elected to serve as chair of the Arctic Economic Council, an independent organization that facilitates business activities and economic development in the Arctic.

Tara was appointed by President Donald Trump and confirmed by a unanimous vote in the U.S. Senate to serve as the Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs for the U.S. Department of Interior — the first Alaska Native and the second woman to be confirmed for the position. She played a large role in managing tribal and individual Indian trust lands and assets. She also worked tirelessly to promote the self-determination and economic self-sufficiency of the nation’s 574 federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribes.

But she didn’t stop there. Tara led the effort to implement Operation Lady Justice, a task force established to address the crisis of missing and murdered Native Americans. She also guided the creation of the National Tribal Broadband Strategy, aimed at addressing the challenges of broadband deployment in the nation’s most remote regions.

Her understanding of Alaska and her ability to deliver results translates into economic opportunities. Tara will fight to ensure certainty in the legislative and regulatory process to ensure industry has the ability to move projects forward, resulting in jobs for Alaskans while further fortifying the economic foundation of our state.

Alaska needs a leader in the U.S. House who can transcend ideological and political differences to ensure the future of Alaska remains strong. Tara will work with all stakeholders to strengthen the economic stability of our state while meeting the needs of Alaska Native communities, as she’s done throughout her career.

While Tara wasn’t selected to advance from June’s Special Primary Election, she will appear on the ballot for the Aug. 16 Non-Partisan Pick-One Primary. This is another opportunity for Alaskans to ensure her name is on the General Election ballot come November when the full two-year term of this seat will be determined.

Tara has put Alaska’s interests first her entire career. Now is the time to put her first by voting for her on Aug. 16.

Rex A. Rock Sr. of Point Hope and Crawford Patkotak of Utqiagvik are the president/CEO and chairman of the board, respectively, of Arctic Slope Regional Corp.

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