Shelley Hughes

Serving Chugiak, Peters Creek, Eklutna, Fairview Loop, Butte, Lazy Mountain, Gateway & Palmer

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Alaska Senate Urges Railroad Crossing through Canada

JUNEAU – The Alaska Senate today unanimously voted for a resolution urging the U.S. to issue a presidential permit allowing a railroad crossing between Alaska and Canada. Full Story >>

Personal Profile

Shelley Hughes

District F, Republican

In 1976, Shelley, a teenager at the time, moved to Hoonah then lived in Bethel and Fort Yukon, followed by a brief time in Fairbanks, Seward, and finally settled in Palmer, District F, twenty-nine years ago. Her time off the road system in rural Alaska included a five year stint in a cabin without running water or electricity, and periods without owning a car – using a boat, a 3-wheeler, and a snowmachine instead. Shelley met and married her husband, Rock (Roger), during these years of adventure; more than four decades later, they're delighted to continue life's journey together.

Prior to her service to the people of Alaska, Senator Hughes held the policy affairs directorship at the Alaska Primary Care Association. The three decades leading up to this healthcare work were filled with acquiring a degree, running a small business, teaching, directing church, school and theater programs, advocating for local infrastructure, and her favorite and most rewarding part of her career: being a stay at home mom raising four amazing children who are now incredibly successful, contributing members of society who have blessed her with the seven most adorable grandchildren on the planet (she thinks anyway).

Both a visionary with heart and an effective facilitator with smart, good sense for Alaska, Senator Hughes tackles the challenges our state faces, leading through consensus building and with a can-do attitude.

With the historic challenges Alaska faces, you may wonder why Shelley stepped up at a time such as this. She put it this way: “I figure if my son and son-in-law, who together deployed ten times in dangerous situations, could stand up and serve our country, the least I can do is stand up and serve our district and our state in a tough fiscal situation.”

Shelley’s current favorite pastime is getting down on the floor and playing with her younger grandkids as well as having deep conversations about life with her teenage grandsons. Her stress relievers are comedy (she has a weakness for watching late night stand-up) and cutting a rug (not particularly good at it – she just loves to move to music). Her son is still waiting to teach her to snowboard and her marksmanship needs work, but she’s proud her speedwalking usually out paces tall men at airports. Oh, and she really enjoys fishing, and of course, also warm ocean breezes on the beach under a moonlit sky.

Date/Place of Birth:

Canton, Ohio - 01/06/58

Residency in Alaska:

Resident of District F since 1990
Resident of Alaska since 1976
Resident in following Alaskan communities 1976-1990: Hoonah, Bethel, Fort Yukon, Fairbanks, Seward, Palmer 1990 to present

Family:

Husband - Roger, married 1978
Children - Peter, Clara, Emily, and Tyler
Seven Grandchildren

Education:

University of Alaska, Bachelor of Arts in English, 2002. Summa cum Laude. Rhetoric.
Cuyahoga College, Assoc. of Arts, 1985. Summa cum Laude, Valedictorian. Cleveland, Ohio.

Military:

Alaska All Academies Association, Founder, Past-President
(support organization for cadets/plebes and families at 5 military academies)
Son and Son-in-Law: USAF Reserves, USAF Officer, Active Duty
Husband: Vietnam Veteran