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Rachel Ries
Rachel Ries ran for election to the Anchorage Assembly District 6 to represent District 6 Seat K in Alaska. She lost in the general election on April 4, 2023.
Ries completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Rachel Ries was born in Evanston, Alaska. She earned a bachelor's degree from the California State University, Fresno in 2002. Her career experience includes working as a manager.[1]
Elections
2023
See also: City elections in Anchorage, Alaska (2023)
General election
General election for Anchorage Assembly District 6 Seat K
Zachary Johnson defeated Rachel Ries and Mikel Insalaco in the general election for Anchorage Assembly District 6 Seat K on April 4, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Zachary Johnson (Nonpartisan) | 50.5 | 7,929 |
 | Rachel Ries (Nonpartisan)  | 45.3 | 7,110 | |
| Mikel Insalaco (Nonpartisan) | 3.8 | 602 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.3 | 53 | ||
| Total votes: 15,694 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Darin Colbry (Nonpartisan)
2022
See also: Anchorage School District, Alaska, elections (2022)
General election
General election for Anchorage School District Board of Education Seat B
Incumbent Kelly Lessens defeated Rachel Ries, Dustin Darden, and Benjamin Baldwin in the general election for Anchorage School District Board of Education Seat B on April 5, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Kelly Lessens (Nonpartisan) | 50.0 | 33,005 |
| Rachel Ries (Nonpartisan) | 41.4 | 27,369 | |
 | Dustin Darden (Nonpartisan) | 4.6 | 3,059 | |
| Benjamin Baldwin (Nonpartisan) | 3.3 | 2,171 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.7 | 458 | ||
| Total votes: 66,062 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Cliff Murray (Nonpartisan)
Campaign themes
2023
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Rachel Ries completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Ries' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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- Balanced Leadership
- Economic Stability
- Thriving Communities
1. Attracting private investment: Offering tax incentives and streamlining permitting processes can attract private investment to downtown Anchorage and drive economic growth.
2. Improving public spaces: Renovating and revitalizing public spaces, such as parks, sidewalks, and plazas, can create a safer and more inviting atmosphere, reducing crime and improving the overall health of downtown.
3. Encouraging mixed-use development: Mixed-use development, which combines residential, commercial, and retail spaces, can reduce the number of empty storefronts, and create a bustling downtown.
4. Building partnerships: Collaborating with local businesses, community organizations, and government agencies can help create a united front in revitalizing downtown Anchorage.
5. Upgrading infrastructure: Improving infrastructure, such as roads, sidewalks, and public transportation, makes downtown Anchorage more accessible and appealing to businesses and residents.
6. Addressing crime and homelessness: Working with law enforcement and community organizations to enhance public safety and reduce criminal activity is crucial for revitalizing downtown. Partnerships with private organizations can prevent homelessness and reduce regulatory barriers to services.
Additionally, to attract tourism to downtown Anchorage, the following can be done:
7. Enhancing cultural attractions: Developing and promoting cultural attractions such as art galleries, museums, and performance spaces can attract tourists and add to the vibrancy of downtown.
8. Highlighting local history: Emphasizing and showcasing the local history and cultural heritage of Anchorage can attract tourists interested in learning about the city's past.
9. Promoting outdoor recreation: Highlighting the city's scenic beauty and promoting outdoor recreational activities such as hiking, biking, and skiing can attract tourists looking for an adventure.
10. Developing unique shopping and dining experiences: Creating unique shopping and dining experiences that showcase local products and cuisine can attract tourists and boost the local economy.
11. Improving accessibility: Improving transportation options, such as public transportation, bike lanes, and pedestrian walkways, can make it easier for tourists to explore downtown Anchorage.
By engaging residents in the planning process, the government can gain valuable insights into the concerns and priorities of the community. This can lead to more informed and effective decision-making and can also increase public trust and support for the government.
Additionally, involving residents in the decision-making process can help to foster a sense of ownership and responsibility among the community. When residents are invested in the planning process and feel that their opinions are being heard, they are more likely to support and participate in the implementation of government initiatives.
My approach to infrastructure prioritizes limited government spending, low taxes, and budget-conscious solutions. This way, essential infrastructure can be provided without burdening taxpayers. The focus is on projects with high return on investment, such as those improving safety, efficiency, or attracting businesses.
1. Community Engagement: It is important to involve the existing community in the planning process to understand their needs, desires, and concerns. This helps to create a sense of ownership and investment in the process and can also lead to more innovative and inclusive solutions.
2. Responsible Stewardship of Resources: New development should be designed and built in a manner that minimizes its impact on the environment, while maximizing its benefits. This can be achieved using sustainable building practices, smart growth principles, and resource conservation.
3. Pro-Business Environment: New development should support local businesses and provide them with the resources they need to succeed. This can include access to capital, training, and other business support services.
4. Affordable Housing: Affordable housing options should be incorporated into new development projects to ensure that everyone has access to safe, affordable, and healthy housing.
5. Infrastructure Improvements: Infrastructure improvements such as roads, bridges, public transportation, and utilities should be included in new development projects to support the needs of the community.
6. Economic Development: New development should create job opportunities and generate economic growth for the community. This can be achieved through the creation of new businesses, the expansion of existing businesses, and the provision of affordable housing options.
1. Fair Taxation: Develop a tax system that is fair, equitable, and sustainable, with a focus on minimizing the burden on businesses, property owners, renters, and consumers.
2. Balanced Budgets: Implement fiscally conservative policies to balance the budget, reduce government debt, and promote economic growth.
3. Accountable Education in Public Schools: Ensure that public schools provide high-quality education to all students, with adequate funding focused on the teachers and students in the classroom, robust school choice, and regular evaluations and assessments to ensure that they are meeting the educational needs of students.
4. Responsible Resource Development: Regulate resource development using public monies to ensure its expense intended to minimize its impact on the environment is for total life cycle from resource origin through total manufacturing and use lifecycle to end state of refuse, reuse or recycle. Maximize benefit to communities with responsive projects that address each unique communities zoning and planning considerations, within the Anchorage Municipality.
5. Supporting Small Business and Strong Communities: Support the growth and success of small businesses and create livable communities with access to parks, trails, and other amenities, as well as safe and secure neighborhoods. Remain mindful of the balance with fair taxation when developing these areas.
Once specific goals and objectives have been established, it is important to develop a detailed plan of action, with timelines and clear milestones. This plan should be regularly reviewed and updated to ensure that it is aligned with changing circumstances and best practices, as well as changing community needs. Build flexibility to address unintended consequences or fall out from initial plans.
To address the ongoing challenges of crime and homelessness, my approach would be to look at innovative solutions that involve partnerships with the private sector and non-profit organizations. This would allow for the sharing of resources and expertise, reducing the burden on public funds. It may also involve utilizing data-driven approaches to identify areas of need and allocate resources more effectively.
Additionally, I would focus on policies promoting economic growth and revitalization, as a strong and vibrant economy can have a positive impact on public safety. This could be done through initiatives such as tax incentives for businesses, streamlining the permitting process, and investing in infrastructure. By doing so, the city can attract new businesses, create jobs, and provide a stable tax base that can support ongoing public safety efforts.
My approach to infrastructure prioritizes limited government spending, low taxes, and budget-conscious solutions. This way, essential infrastructure can be provided without burdening taxpayers. The focus is on projects with high return on investment, such as those improving safety, efficiency, or attracting businesses.
Having a police union that represents the interests of rank-and-file officers can also be beneficial, as it gives officers a voice in shaping the policies and procedures of their department. However, it is equally important that the union also has a responsibility to promote accountability and transparency in the administration, so that the public can have confidence in the police force.
1. Permanently prohibit vaccine passports
2. Prohibit mRNA shots for children, or as a requirement to attend school.
3. No mandatory masks for children. Masks are only by parent choice.
4. Permanently prohibit masking mandates that create a denial of service at businesses, medical facilities, or government agencies.
5. Permanently prohibiting employers from hiring or firing based on mRNA shots.
6. Protect first amendment rights guarantees for medical professionals, ensuring no one loses their job or medical license for voicing their professional opinions. Support policy to safeguard medical professionals from discrimination based on their personal religious views.
Fair taxation, balanced budgets, public school education accountability and strong communities are important for a prosperous and stable society. These elements must be considered together to achieve a comprehensive plan for the future.
Fair Taxation is essential for funding government services, but it must be fair and equitable. Policy should minimize burden on groups like businesses, property owners, renters and consumers to promote economic growth.
Balanced budgets reduce long-term economic risks posed by deficits and debt. Conservative policies, limiting spending and low taxes, balance budgets and promote growth. Prioritizing essential services such as education and public safety over non-essential programs is important.
Public school education must be of high quality, with adequate funding and accountability. Prioritizing teacher and classroom spending, regular evaluations and assessments ensure student success.
Responsible resource development is key for economic stability and growth. Careful planning and regulation must minimize environmental and community impact, ensuring benefits for all society.
Fiscal Responsibility: prioritize reducing government spending, balancing budgets, and promoting economic growth while also addressing essential community needs.
Small government: limited government intervention and interference in economic affairs and support free market principles, but also recognize the role of government in addressing universal social issues.
Personal Liberty: individual freedom and personal responsibility and may support limited government regulation and intervention in personal or social issues, but also believe in protecting individual rights and promoting equality.
Pragmatism: practical and data-driven approach to policy making, rather than being driven by ideology, and are willing to make compromises to achieve a balanced approach.
Social Progress: support policies that promote equality, and access to healthcare and education, but also take a measured approach to ensure that these policies are sustainable and fiscally responsible – such as school choice.
Self-government: Anchorage has the ability to make decisions about local issues, such as tax policies, land use regulations, and public services, without needing approval from the state government.
Charter: Anchorage has its own charter, which serves as the city's constitution, and has the ability to adopt and modify its own charter without needing state approval.
Tax authority: Anchorage has the authority to impose taxes and fees, providing the city with a greater source of revenue to fund local services.
Local decision-making: Anchorage makes decisions about local issues through a democratic process, with elected officials and representatives from the local community.
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.
Note: Community Questions were submitted by the public and chosen for inclusion by a volunteer advisory board. The chosen questions were modified by staff to adhere to Ballotpedia’s neutrality standards. To learn more about Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection Expansion Project, click here.
2022
Rachel Ries did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
See also
2023 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on February 9, 2023
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