OP-ED Rob Yundt for State Senate District N
Contributed by Shaine Agonia
As a 4th generation Alaskan, born & raised in Wasilla, I’ve spent my entire life deeply rooted in this community. For over two decades, I’ve had the privilege of raising my children here & mentoring young athletes as a coach for local youth wrestlers. The Valley isn’t just where I live — it’s the heart of everything I believe in & fight for.
I’m running for state Senate because we need to bring common sense & fiscal responsibility back to the state legislature. Serving as your Deputy Mayor of the Mat-Su Borough the last few years, I didn’t just talk about change — I worked tirelessly to make it happen. I personally sponsored legislation to increase property tax exemptions for our seniors & disabled veterans. I also tied them to inflation, so they keep pace with rising costs. I helped pay off over $80 million in Borough debt, improved our credit score, & funded over $100 million for local roads & schools — without borrowing a single cent.
Educationally, I created a new 2-year Fire Science program for local Juniors & Seniors who want to serve our community when they graduate. The program is nationally recognized & the certifications will travel anywhere the children do. I've also worked daily to expand CTE (career & technical education) for all our high school students. Participation in CTE courses is up 217% since I was elected locally. Our children are the most important thing we should all be fighting for & I take this job very seriously. That’s the kind of leadership and financial discipline I’m ready to bring to Juneau.
Unfortunately, while the MSB Assembly & I have been working tirelessly to defend our pocketbooks & protect our personal freedoms, the State Senate in Juneau has been attacking parental rights with bills like SB240, which allows children to get mental & physical exams WITHOUT any parental involvement. This isn’t just irresponsible legislation, it’s outright dangerous.
Every single day in this country, men are competing against women in sports or stealing their bathrooms. In the last few weeks alone, four Division 1 women’s volleyball teams have had to forfeit because one of the other teams has a man playing on their team. Last year our State House passed common sense legislation to prevent this gross type of behavior, but our State Senate refused to even talk about it. Turns out the only thing our current version of our Senate wants to talk about is how much of the PFD they can steal. As a father, coach & mentor to many, I cannot allow this to happen to our beloved community & this is why I’m running.
Beyond public service, I’ve worked hard in the private sector to ensure our community thrives. I helped develop 162 units of senior housing in the Valley through projects like Vista Rose Senior Apartments. Preserving affordable housing so that our children & grandchildren can afford to live & build their futures right here in the Valley is very important to me. I’ve always fought passionately to keep housing attainable for the next generation & that fight will continue in Juneau.
I’ve also been honored to serve on various nonprofit & statewide boards. I've served as a Director for the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC), Coaching Director for Pioneer Grappling Academy for local youth wrestlers (my wife Trenitie is still the President for this amazing nonprofit) & as President for the Alaska State Homebuilders Association.
These opportunities have allowed me to serve at both the local & state level, gaining the experience & insight needed to tackle challenges we face head-on. Trenitie & I have donated our salary from me serving on the Assembly to local nonprofits because we know how important these nonprofits & our local food bank are to our community.
The Valley is more than just where we live though — it’s the greatest place in the world to raise a family, build a life, & foster a community. I love this Valley with all my heart, & that passion drives everything I do. With your help, I want to take that same energy to Juneau to fight for our children’s education, better roads, lower healthcare costs & policies that protect family values.
Your concerns & voices matter to me. I’m always here to listen & stand alongside you. If you have any questions or concerns, you can call or text me anytime at 907-232-8340 or email me at Robforalaska@gmail.com. Let’s make sure our future is as strong as our community.
Respectfully,
Rob Yundt