Jessica Faircloth for Governor- Putting Alaskans First
1. Natural Resources & Economic Stewardship
Alaska’s Fisheries Access & Accountability Reform ensures that fish caught in Alaska waters are fully accounted for, used as food whenever feasible, and landed in-state to benefit our communities. This “stop the bleeding” policy conditions access to Alaska ports, facilities, and programs on vessel-level accountability, low-impact fishing practices, and full utilization of catch. It prioritizes Indigenous and rural communities, strengthens Alaska’s seafood economy, and supports conservation, while Alaska-first representatives on the NPFMC push for federal reforms that align with our state’s priorities.
Save the Chinook
Chinook salmon are one of Alaska’s most important natural treasures — vital to our communities, subsistence users, and local economies. I am committed to giving all Chinook salmon the attention and support they deserve as a Priority Species. Our plan includes genetically sampling all Chinook caught to guide sustainable management and using fry supplementation to help increase stock numbers. We will work closely with tribal and local communities, protect critical habitats, and ensure that Alaska’s Chinook fisheries remain strong, accessible, and responsibly managed for generations to come.
Protecting Alaskan Timber for Alaskans
Alaska is facing a growing problem with beetle-killed timber, which is currently treated as a liability rather than a resource. I am committed to turning this challenge into an opportunity for Alaskans. I will file a formal grievance with the federal government to ensure that timber from affected areas is prioritized for use within Alaska — creating local jobs, supporting our forest-dependent communities, and reducing fire and environmental risks. At the same time, I will establish a carbon credit program to fund the rehabilitation of these forests, incentivize conservation, and reward good stewardship. By combining sustainable timber use with carbon credits, we can restore our forests, protect our communities, and make Alaska’s resources work for Alaskans first.
Mining
Mining has long played a role in Alaska’s economy, providing good jobs and supporting entire communities. I believe mining can and should be done responsibly, in a way that benefits Alaskans first. My approach is straightforward: projects must meet strong environmental standards, protect our water and land, and provide real value to Alaska through local jobs, local processing where possible, and fair returns to the people. When mining is done right, it can support families, strengthen regional economies, and coexist with the lands and waters we all depend on. I will ensure Alaska’s mineral resources are developed carefully, transparently, and for the long-term benefit of Alaskans.
Oil & Gas Taxes
My Oil & Gas Tax Reform policy modernizes Alaska’s oil and gas taxation by creating a fair, predictable system that protects legacy Cook Inlet wells while taxing new North Slope and Cook Inlet development appropriately. Legacy wells receive a protective framework to maintain energy security and affordability for Alaskans, while new wells benefit from temporary, targeted incentives to encourage responsible development. The plan simplifies the tax structure, eliminates loopholes, ensures predictable state revenue, and promotes transparency through annual reporting and legislative review. By treating different basins according to their real-world economics, Alaska can safeguard jobs, encourage investment, and manage its resources sustainably for current and future generations.
Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD)
The Permanent Fund Dividend is a promise between Alaska and its people — that when our shared resources are developed, every Alaskan benefits. I support protecting the PFD by placing it in the Constitution, so it cannot be quietly reduced or used as a bargaining chip in political fights. A constitutional PFD provides certainty for families, strengthens public trust, and honors the principle that Alaska’s natural wealth belongs to the people. As governor, I will work to protect the Permanent Fund itself while ensuring the dividend remains a reliable, fair benefit for current and future generations.
2. Government & Administration
Zero-Based Budgeting (ZBB)
Alaska can no longer afford automatic spending without accountability. Zero-Based Budgeting starts every program from scratch each year, requiring justification for every dollar spent. This ensures state funds are allocated based on results and effectiveness, reduces waste, and makes government more transparent and accountable. With ZBB, every program must earn its place — keeping Alaska’s budget efficient, responsible, and focused on the people it serves.
Lobbyist Transparency
Right now, lobbyists are allowed to meet with lawmakers and government officials to argue for certain policies or industries. That’s legal, and it’s part of how government works. The problem is that most Alaskans can’t easily see who those lobbyists are, who they work for, or what they’re asking for without digging through complicated reports.
I believe Alaskans should be able to understand this at a glance. As governor, I will work to make lobbying information clear, timely, and easy to access — who is being paid, by whom, and on what issues. When people can see how decisions are influenced, trust goes up and backroom politics go down. Government works best when it works in the open, for the people.
Legislature to Anchorage
My plan moves regular legislative sessions to Anchorage to make Alaska’s government more accessible, efficient, and transparent, while keeping Juneau as the official state capital. By requiring all bills to be pre-filed before the start of each session, legislators can review proposals in advance, schedule hearings efficiently, and ensure the public knows what legislation will be considered. This approach increases rural and remote participation, reduces travel and lodging costs, and improves transparency and accountability, all while maintaining Juneau’s historic role and allowing taxpayers’ dollars to be used more responsibly.
3. Social Policy & Public Welfare
Alaska Mental Health Care Crisis
Alaskans deserve timely, accessible mental health care no matter where they live. Right now, too many people face long waits, limited services, and barriers to getting help, especially in rural and tribal communities. I will expand access to mental health care, reduce wait times, and support communities across the state with practical solutions that work for real Alaskans.
This includes expanding telehealth services to reach remote and tribal areas, providing training and incentives to attract and retain mental health professionals, and integrating mental health care into schools and primary care so help is available where people already are. I will also strengthen crisis response teams and peer support programs, ensuring that anyone in need can get immediate, compassionate assistance.
Restorative Justice
My plan expands restorative justice programs for low-level offenses — including community service, mediation, counseling, and peer mentorship — while integrating tribal and rural adaptations. Critically, any Alaskan who has served their sentence and demonstrated seven years of good citizenship will be eligible to have their record expunged, removing barriers to employment, housing, and education. At the same time, we will remain tough on serious and violent crime, ensuring public safety is never compromised. This approach reduces recidivism, strengthens families, saves taxpayers money, and ensures that justice repairs harm rather than creating lifelong punishment. Alaska’s justice system should hold people accountable while giving them the tools to rebuild their lives.
Education Reform & Alaska Virtual School
Alaska’s children deserve an education that prepares them for life — whether they grow up in a big city, a small village, or anywhere in between. Our current education system has real challenges, and the Legislature recognized that by passing the Alaska Reads Act, which aims to improve reading skills for young students. That law has helped increase early literacy in some areas, but many educators and school leaders — especially in rural and tribal districts — have raised concerns that it doesn’t provide enough resources, creates heavy new requirements without enough support, and hasn’t yet addressed the broader weaknesses in our schools statewide.
We can do better. My plan begins with expanding Alaska Virtual School so that students everywhere — no matter how remote — can access high‑quality curriculum and strong teacher support focused on literacy, numeracy, and career‑ready skills. I work to make sure every student has the technology and internet access they need. But education reform must also address deeper issues: teacher training and retention, tailored instruction for every child’s needs, and support for struggling schools that goes beyond mandates and actually gives them the tools and funding they need to succeed.
That means working with parents, educators, and communities across Alaska to build a system that equips every student to read, think, and thrive — not just on paper, but in life.
Alaska Food Security
Every Alaskan deserves access to healthy, affordable, and locally grown food. I will support local farms and strengthen distribution networks to make sure communities can rely on Alaska-grown food even when supply chains are disrupted.
We will also help Alaskans grow their own food by supporting community gardens and greenhouses, teaching gardening and farming skills in schools, and finding grants to help families set up private greenhouses. By combining practical education with support for local farms, we can make Alaska more self-reliant, healthy, and resilient.
4. Cost of Living
Alaska faces one of the highest shipping costs in the country — and a big part of the reason is the Jones Act, a federal law that requires goods shipped between U.S. ports to travel on U.S.-built, U.S.-flagged, and U.S.-crewed vessels. While designed to protect U.S. shipbuilding, this law makes everyday goods — food, building materials, fuel, and more — much more expensive for Alaskans, especially in remote communities.
My Proposal: I support a Canada Goods Exception under the Jones Act. This would allow goods produced or substantially processed in Canada to be shipped to Alaska more efficiently on U.S.-compliant vessels. This is a narrow, Alaska-focused approach that does not weaken U.S. shipbuilding or jobs, but targets real cost relief for our state.
Benefits for Alaskans:
- Lower prices for families on groceries, dairy, meat, fruits, and other staples.
- Reduced costs for local businesses, restaurants, and construction projects.
- Savings for public programs like schools and hospitals, freeing up funds for other priorities.
- Improved shipping reliability, especially for remote and rural communities.
Putting Alaskans First:
Every decision I make as governor will be guided by one simple principle: Alaska comes first. From protecting our natural resources and supporting local jobs, to improving education, health care, and public safety, my focus is on practical solutions that strengthen families, communities, and the opportunities available to every Alaskan. Together, we can build a state that is fairer, safer, and more prosperous — one that truly works for the people who call it home. I will lead with transparency, care, and a commitment to results, because Alaska deserves nothing less.
