Shelley Hughes headshot. Photo courtesy of Shelley Hughes for Governor.
Former Republican Alaska Sen. Shelley Hughes announced her campaign for governor in July 2025. She served in the Alaska House of Representatives from 2012 to 2017. Hughes spoke with The Northern Light to discuss her reason for running.
Hughes said her husband, Roger “Rock” Hughes, played a significant role in her political career.
“My husband is the reason I am running. He was a Vietnam veteran saving many lives,” said Hughes. “He became really involved with politics later on.” According to Hughes, politics dominated the majority of their conversations.
Hughes said that when she began her campaign for the Alaska House, she hesitated because she lacked campaign experience. Her husband encouraged her to run. “He told me that I was made for politics. Alaska needed me,” said Hughes.
After her husband's death in May, Hughes said she took two weeks off from the campaign to grieve for him.
“After those two weeks, I knew I needed to be back on the campaign,” said Hughes. “There was nothing more he would have wanted than that.”
Hughes said she was more determined to win the race. “Thanks to my husband, I have the experience to competently run for governor,” Hughes said.
Hughes said she has 30 years of experience in the private sector, the Alaska House and Senate, and she is knowledgeable in running different agencies.
Hughes said that several of her family members have served and are currently serving in the military. She did not elaborate on specific policy changes for veterans, but she said, “The least I can do is offer my services to them.”
Hughes added she is concerned about the suicide and mental health challenges facing the veteran community.
Hughes’ website has more information on her campaign and her running mate.
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