Mike Wenstrup lives in Fairbanks with his wife and two children. Originally from the Midwest, he moved to Fairbanks on a whim in 2005. He quickly fell in love with Fairbanks and his wife Annie (who initially agreed to speak with him because she liked the Alaska Democrats bumper sticker on his truck) and decided to make Fairbanks his home. He opened his own law practice, specializing in criminal defense, workers’ compensation, and elder law. In addition to private case work, half of the practice was dedicated to court-appointed work representing individuals in Nome, Kotzebue, Utqiagvik, Fairbanks, and surrounding areas. In 2015, he closed his practice and joined NEA-Alaska as a full-time union representative and organizer.In addition to his work as a father, lawyer, and union representative, Mike is a past chair of both the Interior Democrats and the Alaska Democratic Party. A proud “Double-Domer,” he holds a bachelor’s degree and a law degree from the University of Notre Dame.

It has been a great privilege to serve on the Democratic National Committee (DNC) as Alaska’s National Committeewoman. I am running for a second term and asking for your vote. Seniority is important on the DNC, so in my first term I attended all the in-person meetings, and I worked hard to represent Alaska at caucus and council meetings to get acquainted with leadership and other members of these bodies. I regularly attended the Environmental and Climate Council, Labor Council, Senior Council, Western Region Caucus and Women’s Caucus. I also attended meetings of the Resolutions and the Rules and Bylaws Committees.

Active Democrat

• • Current National Committeewoman
  • Served multiple terms as Chair, Vice Chair and Treasurer of the
    Tongass Democrats.
  • Served several terms on ADP Central Committee and as SE Regional Vice
    Chair on the Executive Committee.
• • Recipient of the ADP Lifetime Achievement Award.
• • Recipient of Queen Bess Award for service.
• • 2012 National Convention Delegate.
• • 2016 National Convention Hospitality Chair.
• • Monthly donor to Tongass Dems, ADP and DNC.

Employment and Community Service

• • Retired from Alaska Dept. of Health and Social Services as Community
    Mental Health Program Administrator. Also directed or administered
    programs in Dept. of Commerce and Economic Development, and Dept. of
    Community and Regional Affairs.
• • Served as Executive Director of two community mental health centers.
• • Worked for tribal organizations and the University of Alaska.
• • Retired Public Employees of Alaska (RPEA), SE Regional Vice President six
    years and current. 
• • Bartlett Regional Hospital Board of Director nine years,
    President two years.
• • AFSCME Retiree Chapter 52.
• • Alaska Mental Health Board, two terms.
• • Alaska Medical Care Advisory Committee, two terms.
• • Alaska Behavioral Health Association, lifetime.
• • KTOO Community Advisory Board, eight years.

Education

• • Bachelor of Arts, University of Washington.
• • Master of Public Administration, University of Alaska.

Born and raised in Unalakleet, Charles “Chuck” Degnan is the son of Frank and Ada Degnan.  He graduated from Mt. Edgecumbe High School in 1959.  Majoring in elementary education, Chuck received a B.Ed. from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1966.  He later received a Master of Education from Texas A&M Commerce (1987).

Chuck served in the Alaska National Guard.  He also served in the U.S. Army as a military police officer stationed in Berlin, Germany.  He received an award from the US Coast Guard in 200l, the Life Saving Award.

Chuck is a self-employed Bering Sea commercial fisherman.  He is also retired from the State of Alaska after working many years as the Bering Strait Coastal Resource Service Area manager.

Chuck has a myriad of experiences and has worked with many people throughout the state and nation.  He feels that it is important to be involved in helping others, either individually or through organizations.  He has served on:

• • Alaska Native Health Board
• • Alaska Rural Affairs Commission, 1970-1974
• • Norton Sound Health Corporation Board, 1969-1974.  Served as chairman.
• • Alaska Federation of Natives, 1969-1978 (not continuous service)
• • Bering Strait School District Board of Education, 1976-1983,
    chairman five years
• • Bering Straits Native Corporation Board, 1974-1985.  Chairman and/or
    member of various committees
• • Unalakleet Native Corporation Board, 1974-present.  Chairman and/or
    member of various committees.
• • Native Village of Unalakeet Tribal Council, 2020-2023.
• • Bering Sea Elders Group, 2015-2020, member or alternate.
• • Norton Bay Inter-Tribal Watershed Council, 2018-present

As a lifetime Democrat Chuck has served in several capacities.  He was in the Alaska House of Representatives 1971-1975, serving on the Finance Committee and Natural Resources Committee.  He has been a delegate/alternate delegate to four national conventions (2008, 2012, 2016, 2020).  He received the 2018 Alaska Democratic Party Lifetime Achievement Award.  He currently is the Rural Vice Chair on the Alaska Democratic State Central Committee and serves on the Executive Committee of the Alaska Democrats.

Chuck currently serves as the Democratic National Committeeman from Alaska and is on the Credentials Committee, Seniors Council, and Native American Caucus.  He has participated in DNC meetings through Zoom (during Covid) and in person.  He is running for a second term as Alaska’s DNC Committeeman.

Chuck has been an avid supporter of Democratic candidates since statehood.  He knows that it is important to promote the platform of the Democratic Party and works to support candidates who share this view.

Jessica Cook is a lifelong Alaskan who has over two decades of public service experience as a BIPOC public educator in the Anchorage School District. Most recently, she took a leave of absence to run for Lieutenant Governor. Cook strives to empower and provide opportunities for Alaskans to reach their potential and build successful futures. A lifelong learner, Cook achieved two master’s degrees and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in curriculum and instruction, focusing on creating online educational environments for neurodiverse learners. Currently living in Palmer, Jessica and her husband, Ed, enjoy spending time with their daughters and grandchildren.

My name is Ron Meehan and I am honored to be running to represent Alaska at the 2024 Democratic National Convention. I currently serve as the Western Regional Advisor for the DNC Environmental and Climate Crisis Council, Finance Chair of the Alaska Democratic Party, Vice Chair of the Alaska Democratic Party Climate Caucus, and National Committee Representative for Alaska Young Democrats. In those roles I actively build relationships with Democratic Party leaders from around the country, raise money for our candidates and infrastructure, and advocate for policies that will allow Alaskans to thrive.

My family knows what it’s like to postpone necessary medical care because we can’t afford it. We know what it’s like to fight to survive. Several years ago my father was in a plane wreck that had a significant impact on his health. My mother was forced to quit her job to take care of him and her ailing mother. I was the first person in my family to go to college, earning a BA from Wesleyan University in Government and Environmental Studies and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the Foraker Group.

I’m particularly passionate about youth political organizing, food security, environmental advocacy, and healthcare affordability. We are on the front lines of climate change, have the highest health care costs in the country, and our education system is under attack.

I am the Director of Government Affairs for the Food Bank of Alaska where I coordinate advocacy efforts for more than 180 food banks and food pantries, tribal organizations, faith-based groups, health and senior centers, among others across Alaska. My work in food security has taken me across Alaska from Ketchikan to Shishmaref and from King Cove to Valdez where I’ve met with leaders and learned more about challenges facing the many different communities of our state. I am running to elevate our priorities and ensure the DNC and the next President of the United States have our best interests.

I am deeply committed to our state and our party and it would be an incredible honor to represent all of you at the 2024 DNC Convention in Chicago.

Community activist Ed Wesley was born on January 9, 1951, in Bolivar County, Mississippi. He graduated from Pace Elementary in 1965 and then his family moved to Chicago, Illinois where he attend Forestville High school.

In 1972, he was drafted into the United States Army stationed at Fort Greely, Alaska as a military police officer. He attained the rank of Specialist 4 and his general equivalency diploma (GED) from the state of Illinois and was honored twice as Ft Greely’s post soldier of the month. He separated from the military in 1974 with an honorable discharge.

From 1974 to 1977, he worked as security officer on the Trans Alaska Pipeline. In 1977, attended the University of Alaska at Anchorage. Wesley’s career and work experience includes forty years in several industries in Alaska to include real estate and insurance brokers and tax advisor. He retired in 2015. During retirement employed as US census Alaska field manager

Wesley was credited for his leadership as president of the Anchorage NAACP and his role in the creation of the historic thirteen-point, two-page agreement with the Anchorage Police Department on the use of deadly force and related issues against the citizens of the Municipality of Anchorage in 1981. In 1988, he was also credited with helping presidential candidate Jesse Jackson win the Alaska Democratic Presidential Caucus, subsequently served as whip for the Alaska Jesse Jackson delegation at the Democratic convention in Atlanta, Ga. In 2016, Wesley was elected as national committeeman for the Alaska Democratic Party and ran an unsuccessful bid as a Democratic candidate for district J of the Alaska State Senate.

An active community member, Wesley has served on the boards of numerous organizations such as treasurer for the Anchorage Council of PTAs, Deacon of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, Worshipful Master of Mt McKinley Lodge #2 and Grand Jr Warden of Prince Hall Masons State of Alaska and its’ jurisdiction, chairman of the 3rd great Alaska high school basketball classic tournament, Municipality of Anchorage Zoning Board of Examiners and Appeals, vice president, Anchorage Board of Realtors, president of Alaska Black Leadership Conference, president of the African American Business Council, president of the African American Historical Society (sponsor of Juneteenth) and Board of Trustees for the State of Alaska Personnel Retirement System. Chairman of the Board of Shiloh Community Housing

A veteran advocate for many years, Wesley has served on the Veterans Volunteer Committee at the Alaska Veterans Administration Hospital. He is past commander of American Legion Post 34, where he sponsored activities for Veterans. He has raised funds for local Disabled Veterans to attend the National Wheelchair Games. He has worked towards and championed youth activities continually in Anchorage. Wesley has been honored by the Alaska State Legislature as a nation builder for his community service and the National Association of Black State Legislators for his community service.

Wesley and his wife Frances, have five adult children, Wendell, Cynthia, Chairita, Kiala and Tamika.

Monica Southworth was born and raised in Alaska. She grew up in Unalaska/Dutch Harbor until college. After college, she moved to Juneau and has called southeast home since 2011. She has worked at NEA-Alaska as a UniServ Director and now as a Research and Bargaining Specialist since 2014. Volunteer activities include being a treasurer for the Alaska Democratic Party, school board and state house races, and Trout Unlimited. Hobbies include being an umbraphile, astro & drone photography, and playing with watercolor paints.

Hello everyone, my name is Rozlyn LeTisha Grady-Wyche I am born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, graduated from Dimond High School, I am the oldest of 5, 4 living and I even have my own 5 children Kai who is 17, Aj who is 14, Wynter who is 8 and Kyng and Kween who is 7 and they are all in the Anchorage School District. I am a newcomer to being a certified special education teacher, I have been working for the school district for the last 7 years. I started off as a cafeteria manager, worked my way to being a paraprofessional and now I am a certified educator. I am also a hairstylist as well as a hair instructor. I represent district 19! And I am a community leader.

• ● I am the education chair for the anchorage chapter and the state area conference for NAACP.
• ● I am the chairwoman for the special education advisory council for ASD.
• ● I am a member of the Multicultural Education Concerns Advisory Committee (MECAC)
• ● I am a member of the beautiful sorority Sigma Gamma Rho, INC.

As a young black woman and an Alaska Democrat is not just an identity; it is a commitment to advancing social justice, equity, and inclusivity. I have personally witnessed the struggles and injustices faced by disenfranchised neighborhoods. I am passionate about giving a voice to these communities and ensuring that their concerns are heard and addressed. I have a clear plan to increase voter participation and engagement in all neighborhoods, with a special focus on those that may be harder to reach. Additionally, I believe in the power of education and want to work towards providing more educational opportunities for individuals in these communities.

The opportunity to represent Alaska as a national delegate holds profound importance to me. I believe that diversity in representation is crucial for the Democratic Party to truly reflect the rich tapestry of voices within our society. By serving as a delegate, I aim to amplify the concerns and aspirations of not only the Black community in Alaska but also other underrepresented groups whose voices deserve to be heard at the national level.

My desire to be a national delegate stems from a deep-seated belief in the power of diversity, inclusivity, and social justice. I am dedicated to working collaboratively with fellow delegates to shape policies that address systemic inequalities, uplift marginalized communities, and create a more equitable future for all Americans.

In conclusion, I am honored to have the opportunity to potentially serve as a national delegate for the Democratic Party, representing the voices and perspectives of the Black community in Alaska with passion, integrity, and a strong commitment to positive change.

I am a long-time resident of rural Alaska and an involved, committed member of the Alaska Democratic Party. For many years, I have served as chair of District 37 Democrats.

My journey in Alaska began in 1969, when I came to Alaska as a Vista Volunteer in New Stuyahok, AK. In January 1971 I left the village and went to the University of Alaska Fairbanks for a degree in education. Upon getting a teaching certification, I returned back to Bristol Bay to teach in Togiak and Manakotak.

After my first year of teaching, I took a break, and worked for the next three years on the pipeline out of Laborers’ Local 942,

I began my career at UAF as Math instructor & Advisor at the University of Alaska’s Student Orientation Services providing academic counseling for rural students.

While teaching at the University, my interest in public policy led me to file for state office. I had the honor as a Democrat, to represent Fairbank’s District 19 in the Alaska Legislature from 1983–1990 as a member of the House of Representatives

After retiring from public office I returned to UAF to teach at the Bristol Bay Campus, based in Dillingham. I taught for the Department of Alaska Native Studies and Rural Development. Upon retirement, I have continued to teach for the Bristol Bay Campus as one of their instructors. My students have hailed from both urban centers and villages and towns all over Alaska. In addition to teaching, I also served on graduate committees and led leadership workshops and seminars.

Since the late ‘90’s I’ve taught and led a Legislative Seminar in Juneau. This is a weeklong in-person workshop on the legislature where students have the opportunity hear from a range of Alaska’s policy makers from the Governor to legislators from both the House and Senate. Students taking the class have gained a much greater understanding of the many competing interests that legislators have when making their policy decisions. The class provides them with insights into our political structure, and the class also helps to demystify the legislative process. Many students from the class have gone on to take leadership roles in their communities.

My life in rural Alaska also provided me the opportunity to get into commercial fishing. Since 1981 I have owned and operated a set net operation in Bristol Bay, and continue today, working in the summer as a salmon fisherman.

I would be honored to be chosen as a delegate to the 2024 Democratic Convention. My academic work, commercial fishing, and being a member of the legislature, have provided me with a firm grounding in the many issues that we face, both in rural and urban Alaska. I am especially able to offer important perspectives and knowledge of the issues of rural Alaska.

Elias Rojas is a communication and marketing professional with an extensive background in legislative campaigns, public relations, communications, marketing, web strategy, and social media. He currently serves as the Marketing Manager for MTA and previously held the position of the Director of Marketing and Communications of Alaska Pacific University (APU). Before joining APU, he owned and operated a full-service digital marketing agency in Anchorage, Alaska.

His involvement in the Democratic Party spans over 25 years that started as a young Democrat in college. Throughout the years, he has volunteered, supported, and worked for Democratic candidates and elected officials in the lower 48 and Alaska. He has also had the privilege of working as a volunteer and professional on LGBTQ equality and progressive issues at the national, state, and local levels. Rojas continues to be an active member of the community and has served on various not- for-profit boards and committees. He consults various local and regional non-profit organizations on organizational development, communications, marketing, and fundraising issues. He currently serves as the LGBTQ+ Caucus Chair. He also currently serves as Board President of the statewide equality organization, Alaskans Together for Equality, one of the leading LGBTQ advocacy organizations advancing equality issues across Alaska.

Rojas earned an M.B.A. from Alaska Pacific University in 2014 and has a B.A. degree in International Business from San Diego State University. He currently lives in Anchorage, Alaska with his partner.

Welcome to Juneau, our Capital City!

Welcome to all Alaska Democratic Party Delegates.

My name is Andy Josephson and I am a candidate to be a PLEO (Party Leader or Elected Official) at the Democratic Party’s National Convention in Chicago this coming August!

It would be a great honor to be selected as 1 of 2 PLEO nominees and invited to attend the convention with delegate status in Chicago.

I was proud to be selected as a delegate in 2020 but could not attend the event in Milwaukee due to COVID.  (You’ll recall that President Biden delivered a great speech to a national audience with the entire convention held on-line).

BACKGROUND

My parents met on capitol hill in Washington, DC.  My father was working for Territorial Delegate and then newly elected Senator, Bob Bartlett.  My mother was working for Wisconsin U.S. Senator William Proxmite.

My father arrived in Anchorage in 1958, my mother joining him in 1960.

I was born in 1964 in Anchorage, about 4 months after the Great Alaska Earthquake.

I attended Chugach Elementary School, Steller Alternative School and West High School.

I graduated from Whitman College in 1986 with a degree in History.  I spent one college year in York, England as a student.

I immediately returned to Anchorage after college, in the middle of a horrible economic recession.  I worked retail, as a paralegal and as a legislative aide.

I finished a Master of Arts in Teaching at UAA in 1991.  I am proud to have kept my teaching certificate active from 1991-2028!!  I actively taught in Bush Alaska from 1991-1994 in the Yupik village of Kalskag, Alaska.

In 1994, I opted to not pursue graduate work in History and attended law school at Penn State, finishing in 1997.  I took two clerkships with the Alaska Superior Court, one in Fairbanks and a second in Kenai.

I served the state as an Assistant District Attorney from 1999-2001, principally working in Kotzebue.

From 2001-2012, I worked in the private practice of law in Anchorage, and also taught Constitutional Law at UAA.

I ran for the Alaska State House of Representatives in 2012 and have held a seat here in Juneau from 2013-Present.

I am devoted member of the Democrat Party, proud to host two Biden stickers on my car—parked in the capitol garage!!

I am also a proud voter of Mondale, Dukakis, Clinton twice, Gore, Kerry, Obama twice, Hilary Clinton, and our great president, Joe Biden!!

I was happy to have voted for Pat Chesbro first and Lisa Murkowski only after that first vote.  I also voted for Scott McAdams in 2010 in his race against Senator Murkowski.

My roots in the party run very deep.

It would be my great honor to represent the Alaska Democratic Party as a PLEO in Chicago.  I hope to make you all proud!

Thank you for considering my candidacy!

Best to you and see you soon!

State Rep. Andy Josephson

I am a lifelong Democrat serving my third term in the Alaska House of Representatives district 4.  That district is Juneau, sometimes called the “downtown seat” but it extends from Douglas to the airport and some of the Mendenhall Valley.  In my first two terms, the district included Gustavus, Haines, Klukwan and Skagway.  

I am running as a PLEO delegate to the 2024 Democratic National Convention and request your vote.

I currently represent the House Democratic Campaign Committee (HDCC) on the Alaska State Central Committee.  The mission of the HDCC is to focus on expanding the Democratic/Progressive coalition in the House and that leads me to engage in campaigns across the state promoting Democrats.  

Before elected office I was a high school social studies teacher.  I use my teacher skills daily to help others understand and to help mentor folks in their political activities.  I often say that the toughest part of the job for me is controlling my teacher urges, but the best part is helping others grow and reach their goals.  I understand clearly that politics is a team activity, and we need to work together to succeed.

I am chairing the Platform Committee at the 2024 State Convention and expect that it will be a living example of the diversity of opions and priorities we have as well as an exercise in how to work together in a democratic process.  I am looking forward to seeing and hearing from Alaskans from across the state and the opportunity to share our vision and hope for the 2024 election.  

I would like to bring voice and energy to the 2024 National Convention and hope you can vote for me to be one of your delegates.

I would like to be a delegate to the 2024 Democratic National Convention. I am fully committed to supporting President Biden and would be honored to relay Alaska’s support for the good work he has done in the last four years. I believe he has saved this country during his presidency. He works methodically and thoughtfully. Most of the time, we do not even know the results of his steady hand.

In my years as a Democrat in Alaska, I have run for office, helped others to run for office, provided financial and volunteer support, and helped whenever I could. 

That said, I am also committed to sending a diverse group to this year’s convention. If your choice is between me and a candidate who represents a different segment of our state, please work to ensure that our delegation is as diverse as our population.

Thanks for your consideration

Welcome, Delegates!

I’m Kim Metcalfe and I’m running to be a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. For those of you who don’t know me, I’m from Juneau—I was born and raised here. My Irish immigrant maternal great grandparents arrived in Skagway in 1900, so we are long time Alaskans. My parents were part of the post-war effort to populate Alaska and did their part by having 9 children. I’m the oldest daughter and was raised during a wonderful time when children ran free in the wilderness around town. I have two grown children, a daughter and a son. I was married to Paul Helmar, a photographer who covered the Alaska Legislature, until his death in 2002. 

I’ve been involved in the Tongass Democrats (formerly Juneau Democrats) for many years. I was raised by politically active Democrats—my father served in the 1952 and 1955 Territorial Legislatures and my mother was there to support him. As a child I stuffed envelopes and hung posters. My first taste of politics as an adult was in 1972 during the Ad Hoc movement’s attempt to take over the Alaska Democratic Party leadership. It was a fun time to be a young Democrat. We elected a new brand of Democrats to the legislature, and it was a new day in Alaskan politics. 

 I later owned a business, the Legislative Reporting Service, a subscription publication that tracked legislation. I witnessed the chaotic legislatures of the early 1980s through the early 1990s when oil money started gushing in. Those were wild times!

During the 1990s I became more active in the Juneau Democrats and held various positions on the local level and on the state central committee. I was chair of the Juneau Democrats for ten years. I was the Democratic National Committeewoman from 2012 through 2016. 

I’ve raised money for Democratic candidates from local school board races to Juneau Assembly races to legislative candidates. I’ve hosted dinners sold at our annual auctions, and donated more money than I should to candidates on every level. I’ve worked hard to elect Democrats! 

Now I’m asking for your vote to elect me to a be a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. My birthday is on the last day of the convention, and it would be the best birthday present I could wish for to spend it in Chicago! I would be so grateful to have your vote. 

Thank you!

Kim Metcalfe

I would be honored to represent Alaska as a convention delegate in Chicago.

I have been active in public policy for many decades. This includes working on issue and election campaigns as a volunteer and paid worker in Fairbanks and in other locations and states. I am a strong supporter of environmental protections, worker’s rights, health care (including woman’s health), equality, education, democracy and so on.

I have worked on U.S. Senate and House campaigns, state offices and municipal elections. I currently serve as the District 34 Chair and am one of the Regional VPs for the Interior Region.

I watched the Democratic Convention in Chicago in 1968 on TV and am hoping for a unified and inspiring convention this time. I grew up in the suburban Chicago town of Oak Park and learned the values of public service and civic engagement from my wonderful parents.

I knew and worked with some of the iconic midwestern Democrats such as the great Illinois Senator Paul Simon. I remember when he said, “it is OK to disagree, however it is not OK to be disagreeable.” Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone said, “politics is not about big money or power games, it is about improving peoples’ lives.” Minnesota U.S Representative Bruce Vento said, “this is the Congress, our job is to represent different parts of the country, and different viewpoints, and to compromise and pass the best legislation we can.” And, yes, I spent about 15 minutes with the super charismatic, at the time, U.S. Senator Barack Obama.

My education includes degrees in geography, politics and natural resource and biology. My work experiences are varied. They include working for five federal agencies, non-profits and small businesses. I worked as a migrant farm worker and union postal employee to help pay for my education.

Each president has specific decisions that are difficult, controversial and some decisions are quite unpopular. If one examines the Biden/Harris record, there is much to be pleased with. The upper personal income tax rate was 91% when John Kennedy was elected president. It is currently 40.8%. Raising the taxes on multi-millionaires and billionaires would provide the funding for things health care. Biden has proposed raising these taxes and funded needed projects and programs. The infrastructure bill was a prime example of his ability to work with everyone and pass a bill that his predecessors talked about passing for years.

I would appreciate your support for my candidacy to be a delegate.

Sincerely,

Andrew Keller
P.O Box 84235
Fairbanks, AK 99708
[email protected]
(907) 699-2281