Everything you need to know about ranked-choice voting in one spot. Click to learn more!

Heather Gottshall

From Ballotpedia
Jump to: navigation, search
BP-Initials-UPDATED.png
This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
Heather Gottshall
Image of Heather Gottshall
Elections and appointments
Last election

November 5, 2024

Education

High school

West High School

Bachelor's

Chaminade University, 2015

Other

Liberty University, 2020

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Army

Personal
Birthplace
Bethel, Alaska
Religion
Christian
Profession
Business owner
Contact

Heather Gottshall (Republican Party) ran for election to the Alaska House of Representatives to represent District 13. She lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Gottshall completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Elections

2024

See also: Alaska House of Representatives elections, 2024

General election

General election for Alaska House of Representatives District 13

The ranked-choice voting election was won by Andrew Josephson in round 1 .


Total votes: 7,024
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Alaska House of Representatives District 13

Incumbent Andrew Josephson and Heather Gottshall advanced from the primary for Alaska House of Representatives District 13 on August 20, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Andrew Josephson
Andrew Josephson (D)
 
56.9
 
1,124
Image of Heather Gottshall
Heather Gottshall (R) Candidate Connection
 
43.1
 
850

Total votes: 1,974
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Gottshall in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Heather Gottshall completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Gottshall's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

I was born in Bethel, raised in Kenai, and later relocated with my family to Anchorage, Alaska. I am a tribal member of the Orutsararmiut Native Council and a Calista shareholder. Growing up in Alaska, hard work and subsistence taught me the importance of being able to provide for my family and community. I joined the military and served in the US Army as a Combat Medic. My life’s passion is serving those in need, and I live out my purpose in advocating for Alaskans’ safety and wellbeing. I take pride in serving the community, and I will work hard as your district representative to protect our Alaskan way of life. I look forward to serving House District 13 and being YOUR advocate.
  • Protecting Alaska’s People:

    Alaskans deserve a safe place to live, the right to defend what is theirs, and a representative body that puts the PEOPLE FIRST.

    The occurrence and severity of crime continues to rise in District 13 and the State as a whole. As your representative, I will advocate for adequate training and resources for law enforcement officers.

    I will defend our second amendment rights. My family members are proud gun owners, and we understand the importance of protecting our family, property, and the ability to protect our way-of-life through subsistence hunting.

    Alaskans should not have to suffer at the detriment of career politicians; instead, I am an advocate for a small, efficient, and a fiscally responsible government.
  • Alaska’s Land and Resources: Alaskans depend upon subsistence, an affordable food supply, and developing our resources and land. I support responsible resource development and I will advocate for job creation in the oil and gas industry. Alaska’s history of resource and land development has long been the ‘gold standard’ for other resource development industries worldwide; however, Alaska is constricted by regulatory compliance and permitting processes. I will work to partner with other representatives to find solutions to ensure that our State is a viable option for investors to develop our land and resources. Traditional use and consumption of Alaska’s land and wildlife is essential, and I will advocate for subsistence as a priority.
  • Protecting Alaska’s Future: The future of Alaska is in our hands; educational and economic opportunity should reflect the best interest of future generations. I understand the importance of preparing our children for college and career opportunities and I support a parent’s right and ability to choose a school that is tailored to fit their child’s academic and cultural needs. The Permanent Fund Dividend is an economic resource for families in Alaska. It benefits small businesses and increases local spending. I will work hard to advocate for a full PFD. Alaska used to be a place for economic and job opportunity, but many people are choosing to leave the State. I support small businesses and will work to lessen regulatory red tape.
I am most passionate about education and crime policy.

Families should have access to educational settings that align with their values and meet their children's unique learning needs. Curricula should reflect the local values and culture of Alaska’s communities.

School administrators should be held accountable for delivering a quality education, and parents should be a key stakeholder and driver in both understanding and evaluating educational outcomes.

I believe in promoting public safety, upholding the rule of law, and ensuring that individuals are held accountable for their actions. I emphasize policies that deter crime, support law enforcement, and prioritize victims' rights.
Integrity: Elected officials must demonstrate integrity in every function within their scope of duty.

Accountability: This attribute is central to holding elected office, because elected officials are held accountable to the public.

Commitment to Public Service: A genuine dedication to serving the interests of the public and the common good, rather than personal gain or special interests.
Representation: Advocate on behalf of constituents on matters important to the area an elected official represents.

Policymaking: Develop policies and legislation on behalf of the district and for the state.
Constituent services: Provide guidance and support for constituents concerning state and government programs.

Ethics and oversight
The first historical event that happened in my lifetime was 9/11 when the planes hit the twin towers. I was a teenager at the time, and I remember watching the twin towers fall on live TV; I was scared and uncertain of what the future would hold.
My very first job was at McDonald’s when I was 14. I held the job for one year until my family relocated.
The ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature should reflect respect for each of their roles and powers of the other. There should be transparency, accountability, separation of powers, and adequate oversight.
There should also be shared interest and cooperation that ensure protection of the people.
Education: Alaska’s student education is not adequate and the state continues to experience teacher shortages, which is only exacerbated by inadequate pay, housing crisis, and a declining economy.

Revenue diversification: Alaska’s economy has heavily relied upon oil and gas revenue, and It would benefit the State to focus on diversification

Healthcare access: Healthcare shortages in rural Alaska are imminent and urban areas are declining. It is imperative for the state to focus on multi-state compacts that would allow healthcare workers more mobility and flexibility to move to Alaska.
I believe that it’s most important for state legislators to have a passion for serving the public, and to have a high level of integrity. Previous experience in government and politics can be useful, but in some circumstances, legislators or policymakers have used their knowledge and experience to further their own interest at the detriment to the public.
I believe that it is essential to build relationships with other legislators. Divisive politics have made it difficult to work across the aisle on issues that should cross party lines. Public safety, education and academic excellence, and access to healthcare are issues that I would like to work together with other legislators for the betterment of all Alaskans.
Education

Community and Regional Affairs

Health and Social Services
Financial transparency means that government spending and the budget is easily accessible to the public, and is in a format the general population can understand. The public’s access to government spending and budget allows for greater accountability.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign finance summary


Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.


Heather Gottshall campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024* Alaska House of Representatives District 13Lost general$73,839 $78,238
Grand total$73,839 $78,238
Sources: OpenSecretsFederal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

See also


External links

Footnotes


Current members of the Alaska House of Representatives
Leadership
Speaker of the House:Bryce Edgmon
Majority Leader:Dan Saddler
Minority Leader:Calvin Schrage
Representatives
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
District 7
District 8
Bill Elam (R)
District 9
District 10
District 11
District 12
District 13
District 14
District 15
District 16
District 17
District 18
District 19
District 20
District 21
District 22
District 23
District 24
District 25
District 26
District 27
District 28
District 29
District 30
District 31
District 32
District 33
District 34
District 35
District 36
District 37
District 38
District 39
District 40
Republican Party (21)
Democratic Party (14)
Nonpartisan (4)
Undeclared (1)