Hughes picked to replace Gatto in Legislature

By ANDREW WELLNER

Frontiersman.com

PALMER — Gov. Sean Parnell announced Tuesday that he has selected Shelley Hughes to fill the seat in the Alaska State House of Representatives left open by the April 10 death of longtime Mat-Su Valley Rep. Carl Gatto.

“I do believe that you can hit the ground running serving District 13 without any on the job training,” Parnell told Hughes via teleconference during a mid-day ceremony at the State Offices Building on Dahlia Street in Palmer.

Hughes will fill the remainder of Gatto’s term, which expires in October.

Parnell said representatives in the state House will have to approve his choice, but they can do that even though this year’s House session has concluded.

Hughes said she knows the time left in Gatto’s term is brief, but she plans to use it well.

“I will be focused on listening to constituents,” she said. “I will be working with my fellow members of the House looking forward to the next session.”

Hughes was one of three names House District 13 Republicans voted last month to submit to the governor for consideration. Also nominated were David Eastman and Marvin Yoder.

Hughes had announced her intent to run for Gatto’s seat after it became clear he intended to bow out after 10 years of service.

“I will be charting my own course, but at the same time I am mindful and respectful of the legacy of Carl Gatto,” Hughes said.

Parnell said he interviewed a number of candidates for the position, including Hughes, Yoder and Eastman. Other people applied outside of the party process, Parnell said. But Hughes stood out, not only for her experience, but also for her time living in various parts of the state.

“You have a deep desire not to serve yourself, but to serve the people of your district,” Parnell said.

Hughes has been an Alaska resident for 36 years and has lived in Palmer 22 years. She and husband Roger raised four children, and they now have four grandsons.

“We chose Palmer to raise our family because it is a wholesome community,” Hughes said. She said she wants to maintain that draw. “I have children serving in the military and they would like to come back to Palmer and make this their home base.”

Her first career as a stay-at-home mom involved work with schools, church, campaigns and nonprofits, with occasional project contracts.

Her second career was working as a legislative aide, followed by work in the private sector as government affairs director for a statewide organization.

Her legislative experience spans the last decade and includes extensive work in Juneau and Washington, D.C. She also has served in numerous capacities as a leader in statewide partnerships and projects.

Hughes worked for Gatto for a time. In an interview weeks before his death, Gatto described Hughes and Daniel Hamm — her primary challenger in October for the District 13 seat — as among his favorite people in the world.

Contact reporter Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.