Frontier Priorities
What Matters to District O
These aren't talking points crafted in Juneau. These are the issues I hear you talking about at the Valdez harbor, the Healy Three Bears, and the Talkeetna post office. Real concerns from real Alaskans.
Energy & Resources
The Challenge
District O sits at the intersection of Alaska's natural resource economy and some of its most extraordinary landscapes. Yet rising energy costs and competing pressures have created a false choice between responsible development and environmental stewardship; leaving families, workers, and communities caught in the middle.
Ryan's Plan
I will champion energy policies that lower costs for District O families through diversified production, from the AKLNG (natural gas) project to alternative energy sources like hydro, all in the name of cheaper cost of living. I'll advocate for responsible resource development that creates jobs, protects our beautiful landscapes that make this place extraordinary, and keeps Alaska's resources working for Alaskans. We don't have to choose between development and stewardship; we can do both, and we can do it right.
Fisheries & Game Management
The Challenge
Subsistence, sport and commercial fisheries are the backbone of our community. Declining salmon runs, regulatory uncertainty, and pressure from outside interests are putting a way of life that has sustained for generations at risk.
Ryan's Plan
I support fully funding our hatcheries, the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, strengthening science-based fisheries management, and protecting both subsistence, sport and commercial fishing rights. I will ensure that Valdez's fishing fleet and processing industry are represented in Juneau, while preserving the world-class sport fisheries of the Mat-Su.
Infrastructure
The Challenge
The Mat-Su Valley is the fastest-growing region in Alaska, but infrastructure hasn't kept pace. Roads, utilities, and energy infrastructure are under increasing strain all throughout the District and require ongoing investment. Plus many communities still lack reliable internet access.
Ryan's Plan
I support targeted infrastructure investments across the District, including our AKLNG gas line project, the Port MacKenzie expansion, expanding internet access and strengthening key corridors like the Parks and Richardson Highways. Our infrastructure must keep pace with growth.
Education & Workforce
The Challenge
Alaska's school funding has become unpredictable, leaving schools and families across District O under increasing strain. Schools are struggling to retain teachers, sustain programs, and prepare students for the opportunities ahead. At the same time, our homeschool programs are not funded at the 100% level, putting families who choose alternative paths in a position of added financial stress. Additionally, vocational training pathways are not keeping up with workforce demand.
Ryan's Plan
I will advocate for appropriate levels of school funding for all education paths, to reflect the exceptionalism of our students. I will also prioritize vocational and technical education that connects District O students with careers in energy, construction, healthcare, and the trades for real opportunities in the communities they call home. Families in District O deserve schools and funding that prepare their children for a strong future in the fields they wish to pursue.
Public Safety
The Challenge
District O spans a vast and remote region, where Alaska State Trooper coverage is limited and response times can be dangerously long. As our communities continue to grow, public safety resources have not kept pace, placing increasing strain on law enforcement and emergency response.
Ryan's Plan
I will prioritize increased trooper staffing and stronger investment in rural emergency and fire services across District O.
Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD)
The Challenge
The Permanent Fund Dividend was created for and belongs to every Alaskan, yet has been reduced to a political weapon. For families in District O, especially in higher-cost rural communities, the PFD is not a luxury; it is an essential part of household stability.
Ryan's Plan
Through advocating for more oil exploration and production, incentivizing better investment returns for the Permanent Fund, and rightsizing government, I will work toward a Permanent Fund Dividend calculated through the established formula originally used by Governor Hammond and successive Alaska Legislatures for decades. That framework was designed to provide a consistent, predictable dividend for Alaskans based on the state's economic wellbeing and financial stewardship. In recent years, that approach has shifted, and the PFD has become part of broader political negotiation, something that was never its original intent. The Permanent Fund was established for the people of Alaska and should remain focused on that purpose.
Stable & Sustainable Fiscal Policy
The Challenge
Alaska's state government has too often spent beyond its means, relying on oil revenue windfalls rather than disciplined, long-term fiscal planning. Without guardrails on spending, government has a tendency to grow, crowding out private enterprise, encroaching on individual freedoms, and leaving communities vulnerable when revenues inevitably fluctuate.
Ryan's Plan
Similar to when I prepare budgets for my ventures and companies, Alaska needs a stable and sustainable fiscal policy grounded in responsible budgeting and living within our means. I will work to establish clear spending guardrails that hold government accountable to Alaskans, not to special interests or short-term political pressures. At the same time, I will actively attract outside investment to District O, creating jobs and economic opportunity that reduces our dependence on state spending. A leaner, smarter government is a stronger government; one that protects what we value most and leaves room for Alaskans to thrive.
