Shishmaref, as the crow flies, is about 100 miles north of Nome on the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, known in some circles as the "nose" of Alaska.

Tyler Ivanoff, a school teacher, community leader and basketball coach, among other vocations, took a break from hunting seals and sea bird eggs recently to chat with me about his campaign to represent District 39 as a House member.

He's running as a Nonpartisan candidate against Democrat Neil Foster who has served in the House since 2009 after he was appointed to the House to replace his father, Richard Foster, who had died in office the previous month.

In 2022, Foster edged out Ivanoff by less than 100 votes.

Ivanoff has said he is unwilling to join a coalition majority in which the opposite political party controls a majority of seats. He's also noted that his priorities include "safeguarding our children and their futures, enacting legislation to protect salmon, preserving the Permanent Fund Dividend, and ensuring the integrity of girls' sports." In legislation passed by the House last month, Foster joined with all the other Democrat lawmakers voting to allow biological males to compete against girls.

Grateful to have the opportunity to visit with Alaskans from the farthest corners of our state.

I hope you can tune in.

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