Behind My Candidacy: Meeting Jubilee Underwood
Contributed by Jubilee Underwood
I’m sure you keep hearing from candidates about why you should vote for them. Their platforms, their promises, their placations. Rather than emphasize my platform, I’d like to take some time to tell you about who I am.
I have a deep passion for ensuring the prosperity of the Valley. I was born and raised here. I’ve built my family here. My whole life has been here. My love and zeal for Mat-Su has only grown stronger with each year, and I have had the honor of observing and embodying the values of Valley residents within myself.
Values like fiscal conservatism. Keeping parents in charge of their childrens’ lives. Educational opportunity, improvement, and success. Servant leadership within the government. Putting aside differences and working together for the betterment of the community.
And, like many other Valley residents, calling out unsatisfactory representation when I see it.
Three years ago, I felt that my voice was unheard as a parent, and I noticed others feeling the same. Determined to bring accurate representation of our voices to the Valley, I ran for school board and won. I have been the president for the past year, and despite having differing opinions, our work as a board has led to significant improvements within our education system.
We successfully built two new schools without incurring any further debt. Our children were able to have a more normal school experience during COVID. Our test scores are the highest in the state, comparable to the rest of the nation.
Although I am pleased with the improvements we have made as a school board, I yet again find myself dissatisfied and underrepresented…this time in Juneau. I want to bring the Valley’s voice and values back to our capital with the same effectiveness I did through the school board.
I love Mat-Su, and I love its people. This community has been there for me my entire life by guiding, molding, and protecting me. It has allowed me to become who I am today.
Now, it’s time for me to return the favor.