Question 1

Who is Edna DeVries?

Accepted Answer

Edna DeVries is a farmer's daughter, lifelong Alaskan, and public servant who has dedicated her career to the people of this state since 1971. She currently serves as Mayor of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough — Alaska's largest borough by population — and is running to become Alaska's next Governor. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis on Accounting, and her career has spanned city government, the state legislature, and executive leadership at the borough level.

Question 2

What is Edna's background?

Accepted Answer

Edna was born in Wisconsin, moved to Ketchikan in 1967, and has called the Mat-Su Valley home since 1969. She began her public service career as City Treasurer of Palmer in 1971 — a role she stepped into as a single mother raising two children. Since then she has served as Palmer City Council Member, Mat-Su Borough Assembly Member (the first woman elected to both), Mayor of the Mat-Su Borough, Alaska State Senator, and Alaska Republican National Committeewoman. She also served as a college instructor and spent 30 years as a licensed real estate agent.

Question 3

Who is her running mate?

Accepted Answer

Edna's candidate for Lieutenant Governor is Dr. George Hightower — a physician, U.S. Navy veteran, community leader, and associate minister. Dr. Hightower earned his medical degree from George Washington University, served during Operation Desert Storm aboard the USS Cleveland, founded the largest private occupational health practice in North Dakota, and served as Medical Director for Sunshine Community Clinics in Talkeetna. He shares Edna's commitment to faith, service, fiscal responsibility, and Alaska's future.

Question 4

Why is Edna running for Governor?

Accepted Answer

Edna is running because she believes Alaska needs experienced, principled leadership at this critical moment. She has watched Juneau struggle with transparency, fiscal accountability, and the practical needs of everyday Alaskans — and she knows firsthand what it takes to run a government that actually works. Her motivation is simple: Alaska has given her family everything, and she intends to give back by fighting for every Alaskan who needs a governor who listens, acts, and tells the truth.

Question 5

What are her top priorities?

Accepted Answer

Edna's top priorities as Governor are government transparency and integrity, responsible resource development, community-first investment, fiscal accountability, and making Alaska more affordable for families. She supports full statutory PFD payments, the LNG pipeline, and school choice.

Question 6

How can I donate?

Accepted Answer

You can donate securely at https://secure.anedot.com/elect-edna-devries/donate. Every contribution — large or small — helps this campaign reach more Alaskans.

Question 7

How can I volunteer?

Accepted Answer

Visit the Get Involved page and fill out the volunteer form. There are opportunities for door knocking, phone banking, event support, yard signs, and social media. Every hand counts.

Question 8

Where is Edna from?

Accepted Answer

Edna has called the Mat-Su Valley home since 1969 and currently lives in Palmer, Alaska. She was born in Wisconsin and moved to Alaska with her family — first to Ketchikan in 1967, then to Palmer in 1969.

Question 9

Is Edna married?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Edna is married to Noel DeVries. She is a proud mother in a blended family with four children — Keith, Teri, Katie, and Gordon — 13 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. Her family is her anchor and her deepest motivation for everything she does.

Question 10

Where does Edna stand on the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD)?

Accepted Answer

Edna believes the law should be followed. The statutory PFD formula exists for a reason, and she will include the full statutory PFD in her budget as Governor. She is clear-eyed about the limits of the governor's office — the legislature makes the final appropriation — but she will put the full PFD in front of them and advocate for it publicly. She believes the PFD should be treated as a separate appropriation, not something that competes against other state services.

Question 11

What is Edna's position on the LNG pipeline?

Accepted Answer

Edna is a strong supporter of completing the LNG pipeline. Alaska sits on enormous energy wealth, and Alaskans should not be paying some of the highest energy costs in the nation. The pipeline represents economic development, energy independence, job creation, and long-term fiscal stability for the state. She will work to advance this infrastructure as a top executive priority.

Question 12

What does Edna believe about education?

Accepted Answer

Edna supports school choice and wants the Base Student Allocation (BSA) to be more flexible — funding should follow the student, not the institution. She believes every child deserves an educational path that fits their gifts, whether that's vocational training, advanced academics, or something in between. Parents should have the right to choose between public school, homeschooling, or other options, and the state should support that choice.

Question 13

How does Edna approach the state budget?

Accepted Answer

Edna holds a degree in accounting and spent years as a city treasurer and budget preparer. She believes Alaska has a spending problem more than a revenue problem. As Governor she would implement zero-based budgeting — requiring every program to justify its existence each year — and direct commissioners to identify program overlaps and redundancies. The goal is a government that spends wisely on what works and stops funding what doesn't.

Question 14

What is Edna's position on the Alaska Marine Highway System?

Accepted Answer

Edna grew up in Ketchikan and understands that the Alaska Marine Highway System is not optional — it is the highway for coastal communities. She views it as essential infrastructure, equivalent to any major road in the state. She would review management for efficiency but is firmly committed to robust, reliable operation of the ferry system for every community that depends on it.

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