OPINION: A community-oriented conservative for the Anchorage Assembly

My name is Mark Littlefield and I am running for the Anchorage Assembly, District 2, to represent the people of Chugiak-Eagle River. As a 40-plus year resident of Eagle River, an Air Force veteran, husband, father and community-oriented conservative, I believe I have the necessary experience and values to represent our community on the Assembly. This is a unique election for our community. Should I be elected, I would serve a one-year term, to fill out the remainder of Assembly member Kevin Cross’s current term. Next April, another election will occur, in which our community will elect an Assembly member for a full three-year term.

I have stepped into this race and out of retirement because I believe our community needs an honest, hardworking and community-minded conservative, who shares the values of Chugiak-Eagle River residents, on the Assembly. Our voices need to be heard and our values need to be defended. We are fortunate that member Cross timed his resignation to allow the people of Chugiak-Eagle River to choose our next representative on the Assembly. We do not need 10 Anchorage Assembly members deciding who is the best fit for our community.

I grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah and met my wife, of now 44 years, in high school. After high school, I enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed in Alaska in 1982. We’ve been here ever since. We found our dream home in Eagle River. We raised our children here, created lifelong friendships and enjoyed successful careers. We have deep roots in this community and aren’t going anywhere.

In 1995, I retired from active duty, and spent the last 28 years serving our community through various roles with the Municipality of Anchorage. I retired last May from the MOA after serving for 13 years as Superintendent of Road Maintenance for the Chugiak/Birchwood/Eagle River Rural Road Service Area. In that role, I managed road renovations, oversaw the contract workforce that handles snowplowing and supported the community during natural disasters such as landslides, the 2018 earthquake and the 2022 Hiland Valley avalanche. I am no stranger to how our local government works, and would be honored to lend this expertise to our community through the Assembly.

Outside of work, I have given back to our community through time on the Eagle River Parks and Recreation Board of Supervisors, as the alternate to the Eagle River Valley Community Council and was recently appointed the mayor’s seat at that council. I also previously served on the Eagle Crossing HOA Board of Supervisors. My wife and I remain active in our local parish, St. Andrew Catholic Church, and enjoy spending time outdoors with our family.

Thinking about the issues our city faces, there is a clear need for strong leadership, backed by a humble heart for service. It will be my mission to listen first, evaluate second, and then act in the best interest of our families, community and future.

Elected officials and public employees must be exemplary stewards of the taxes paid by our community. We need accountability, transparency and fiscal responsibility when it comes to spending the hardworking dollars of our friends and neighbors.

Though Assembly races are technically nonpartisan, I am not ashamed to let folks know that I am a conservative and registered Republican. Like many residents in Chugiak-Eagle River, I’m a firm believer that we need to find ways to reduce spending, lower property taxes, and ensure our community receives the level of services commensurate with our population size and amount of taxes we pay.

I am pro-public safety and will fight to ensure our police force and firefighters have the tools and resources they need to keep us safe.

We need a pro-business and limited-government approach to growing our economy again. Micromanaging business and stifling innovation with red tape will not help Anchorage thrive.

Over the next few months, I look forward to connecting with you and answering your questions about our city’s future. It would be my honor to earn your trust and vote.

You can find out more about me and stay up to date with the campaign by visiting our website at: https://www.littlefieldforassembly.com/.

Mark Littlefield is a candidate for Anchorage Assembly District 2 (Chugiak-Eagle River). He lives in Eagle River.

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