(Anchorage, Alaska) Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI) announced the company’s endorsement of Tara Katuk Sweeney’s candidacy for the upcoming election for Alaska’s seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. The CIRI Board of Directors voted unanimously on Friday, April 22 to endorse Tara.
“CIRI is proud to support Tara’s campaign for Congress. We are honored to stand behind a strong Inupiat woman who exemplifies Alaska Native values,” said Sophie Minich, CIRI’s president and CEO. “CIRI is confident that Tara will represent all Alaskans with the passion for Alaska and its people that has defined her career.”
Tara, originally from Utqiagvik, understands firsthand the unique challenges and opportunities facing rural and urban Alaska. Tara brings the kind of experience to the role that Alaskans expect of their representative to Congress. She has over 20 years of business experience and served in leadership positions at the state, national and international levels, including chair of the Arctic Economic Council, co-chair of the Alaska Federation of Natives and Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs. She has actively engaged in State and national policy on diverse Alaska issues – from energy and natural resource development to rural broadband to Arctic growth and the Violence Against Women Act – her business; social and cultural experience is unmatched in this election.
Tara was a co-chair of Congressman Young’s re-election campaign, and his passing on March 18 has prompted her to declare her own candidacy for Alaska’s at-large congressional seat, both in serving out the remainder of his term, and later running to become Alaska’s representative in the 118th Congress.
