Lt. Gov. Candidate, Teacher & Former Teachers Association VP Jessica Cook Joins Gara Ticket

Today, Palmer resident, teacher, and former vice president for Alaska's and Anchorage's education associations announced she's running for Lt. Governor alongside gubernatorial candidate Les Gara.

Alaska-born Jessica Cook, who teaches in Eagle River, said, "I'm running because I want a better future, with good jobs and good schools, so our children and grandchildren can stay here."

According to the Department of Labor, 20,000 more people have left Alaska than moved here under the current Governor. They've taken their needed job skills to other states. Four thousand more people moved away than they moved here last year. "People are leaving because they see no commitment to public education. They see an economy that's lost jobs since before the pandemic," said Cook.

Like Gara, Cook grew up with hardship. She tragically lost her mother when she was three. She was raised in an adoptive home and later by her loving grandparents. "People have a right to a good education and a good-paying job with a living wage, regardless of their background, hardship, or whether they're born rich or poor," said Cook.

Cook is a 20-year public school teacher. She was raised in a military family and married her husband, Ed, an Air Force veteran. Cook has three children and five grandchildren and has earned two master's degrees in education.

"Jessica brings energy, intelligence, and a needed perspective to a state where people see little commitment to public education," said Gara. Gara and Cook have known each other for over a decade.

"Alaskans are losing jobs and educational opportunities because of a lack of leadership. Giving away $1.3 billion in oil company' tax credit' subsidies makes us poor. That prevents us from building the future of good schools, good jobs, and funding a stronger dividend than we've seen under this Governor. It's wrong to give away the value of Alaska's resources and then pit Alaskans against each other to fight between schools, a strong University, police in dozens of communities that have none, a PFD, and the things that can build a stronger state," said Gara.

Cook and Gara support a return of construction and other jobs needed to address a $2 billion state and University infrastructure maintenance backlog. They support responsible development but believe the Governor's backing of the proposed toxic Pebble Mine threatens jobs, fishing, and the world's greatest wild salmon runs.

Ron Meehan, Vice Chair of Alaska Democrats, wrote today on Twitter that Alaska hasn't re-elected an incumbent Republican Governor since 1978.

"This year, we are going to continue that trend. We can't afford four more years in the wrong direction. Les Gara and Jessica Cook are running to create a better future for all Alaskans!"

You can learn more about Gara and where he stands on important issues facing Alaskans on his campaign on his website. You can also find him on both Facebook and Twitter.