Find out more about her life and political history.

Shelley Hughes has lived in Alaska for 48 years, raised her family here, and served her community and state in numerous capacities over the years. She is currently serving as Alaska State Senator on behalf of District M, which includes the greater Palmer area and the Fairview Loop area out to Settlers Bay.

District M

Early Life

Date/Place of Birth:

  • Canton, Ohio – 01/06/58

Residency in Alaska:

  • Resident of Alaska since 1976
  • Resident in following Alaskan communities 1976-1990: Hoonah, Bethel, Fort Yukon, Fairbanks, Seward
  • Resident of Mat-Su since 1990
boy using white and black instant camera

Family

  • Husband – Roger (married since 1978)
  • Children – Peter (Amy), Clara (Samuel), Emily (Nathan), and Tyler (Kayla)
  • Grandchildren – Kylar, Zamarion, Noah, Owen, Amari, Keithan, Caden, Avelyn, Bode, Cooper, Margot, Grandbaby #12 (on the way)

Education & Experience

Education:

  • University of Alaska, Bachelor of Arts in English, 2002. Summa cum Laude. Rhetoric.
  • Cuyahoga Community College, Assoc. of Arts, 1985. Magna cum Laude, Valedictorian. Cleveland, Ohio.
  • Alaska Public Health Association Health Achievement Award 2009
  • Betsey K. Cooke Advocacy MVP Award 2008
  • Chancellor’s Scholar 2001
  • National Collegiate Mathematics Award 2002
  • English Department Scholarship Award Spring 2002
  • International English Honor Society Sigma Tau Delta
  • Golden Key National Honor Society
  • The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi

Occupations:

  • Government Affairs Director, Alaska Primary Care Association 10/05 – 11/11
  • Special Projects Volunteer Director, Crossroads Community Church, Palmer 01/95 – 12/05;
  • Contract Academic Instructor, Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility, Palmer Correctional Center 10/98 – 12/03;
  • Summer Theatre Conservatory Director, LCCP/Haines VPA/Wasilla 1999, 2000, 2003;
  • Substitute Teacher, Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District 09/95 – 05/97;
  • Fort Yukon School District Resource Center Assistant 08/87 – 05/88;
  • Data Coordinator/Secretary, Phillips Alcoholism Treatment Center, Bethel, Alaska 11/85 – 11/86;
  • KYUK Newscaster, Volunteer, Bethel, Alaska 09/85 – 05/87;
  • Teacher, Mount Bethel Christian School, Hoonah, Alaska 09/76 – 09/81;
  • Proud Stay-at-Home Mother of 4 (interspersed with contracts and part-time work) 1980 – 2003
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Public and Community Service

Legislative Service
2013-2016 Representative
2017-2020 Senator
2021-2022 Senator Majority Leader
2023-2024 Senator

Military:

  • Alaska All Academies Association, Founder, Past-President
    • (support organization for cadets/plebes and families at 5 military academies)
  • Son and Son-in-Law: USAF Reserves, USAF Officer, Active Duty
  • Husband: Vietnam Veteran

Previous Volunteer Affiliations

  • Palmer Little League
  • Girl Scouts
  • Pioneer Peak PTA
  • Colony Middle School Band Boosters
  • Valley Festival of Arts
  • Colony High School Boys and Girls Basketball

Past & Present Service Organizations and Community Involvement:

  • Alaska Food Strategy Task Force, Chair
  • Alaska Food & Farm Caucus, Co-Chair
  • Senate Special Committee on World Trade
  • Senate Finance Subcommittee
  • Senate Victims Advocate Selection Committee
  • Alaska All Academies Association, Founder, Past-President
  • Alaska Outdoor Council
  • Commonwealth North
  • American Association of University Women
  • Resource Development Council
  • Make Alaska Competitive Coalition
  • National Rifle Association
  • Mat-Su Republican Women’s Club
  • Valley Republican Women’s Club
  • Wasilla Chamber of Commerce
  • Palmer Chamber of Commerce
  • Mat-Su Health Foundation
  • Mat-Su Business Alliance
  • Palmer Toastmasters
  • Palmer Lions Club
  • Alaska State Fair
  • State Agriculture and Rural Leaders – National Board
  • Outdoor Heritage Council
  • Recover Alaska
  • NCSL Labor and Economic Development
  • NCSL Redistricting and Elections
  • NCSL Law and Public Safety Committee, Vice-Chair
  • CSG Public Safety and Justice Task Force
  • CSG-West Canada Relations
  • CSG Interbranch Committee
  • Troop 49 Girl Scouts
  • Boy Scouts Bear Paw Council Nominating Committee
  • Mat-Su Young Life Executive Committee
  • Galena Young Life Executive Committee
  • Alaska Republican Assembly
  • Alaska Tourism Marketing Board
  • United for Liberty
  • Phoenix Correspondence Commission, Commissioner
  • NCSL AI & Cybersecurity Task Force
  • NCSL UAS Partnership
  • Convention of States Delegate

Special Interests

Grandchildren, Military, Church, Volunteer Work, Speed Walking, Comedy, the Arts, Travel, Outdoors

Hughes in Alaska Government

View Shelley’s service record in the Alaska Legislature
AK LEGISLATIVE WEBSITE