Harmony Tomaszewski Supporting families means making Alaska more affordable by georgina arias ávila
Sol de Medianoche news interviewed Harmony Tomaszewski, of the Republican party, and Joy Beth Cottle, who is registered as nonpartisan. Both represent district 34 (Fox, Pleasant Valley. Eielson Air Force Base and Salcha areas) and are seeking a seat in the Alaska House of Representatives.
Tell us about yourself? I have proudly called Fairbanks home for more than 40 years. My husband, Frank, and I have been married for 31 years. Together, we’ve raised five children and are blessed with two wonderful daughters-in-law and three granddaughters. I’m a small business owner and have operated an electrical contracting business for more than 17 years. We have also owned a birch syrup business and food truck for over a decade. Serving our community has always been important to me. I helped start a local church food pantry that has distributed over a million pounds of food.
What motivated you to run for the Alaska House of Representatives representing District 34? I decided to run because I’ve spent years serving our community through my businesses, volunteering, and serving on local boards and committees. Again and again, I heard the same concerns from families: the rising cost of living, high energy bills, and the need for strong educational opportunities. I want District 34 to have someone who listens, asks good questions, solves problems, understands how the government operates, and represents the people of our district.
What are your legislative proposals regarding education? I support getting more education funding into the classroom, where it directly benefits students and teachers. We need long-term, sustainable education funding rather than relying on one-time fixes. I also support reviewing our education funding formula to ensure it reflects today’s needs while using taxpayer dollars responsibly. Parents should have access to educational options that best meet their children’s needs. I also support expanding career and technical education, so students graduate with practical skills that lead to good-paying jobs right here in Alaska.
What policies do you support regarding energy affordability? I support an all-of-the-above energy strategy that uses Alaska’s natural resources to lower costs and strengthen our economy. That includes building the Alaska gas line, expanding responsible oil and gas development, increasing hydropower like the Bradley Lake expansion, improving our transmission infrastructure, and supporting new technologies that improve reliability and affordability.
What are some of your ideas for supporting mothers and children? I support expanding access to doulas (a provider of emotional, physical, and informational support during childbirth) through Medicaid and ensuring mothers and babies have access to quality prenatal and maternal care. It improves outcomes for mothers and babies while reducing healthcare costs. That’s a win-win. Supporting families also means making Alaska more affordable. Safe communities create opportunities so families can afford to stay here, raise their children, and build their future.
What would you say to the Fairbanks Latino community to encourage them to participate in local elections? The Fairbanks Latino community is an important part of Fairbanks, and every voice matters. Voting is both an opportunity and a responsibility. I encourage everyone in the Fairbanks Latino community to stay engaged, participate, and help shape the future of the place we all call home.
