Meet Ashley Carrick

I am a fourth-generation Alaskan and a long-time Fairbanksan. I moved up north from my hometown of Anchorage in 2010 to attend the University of Alaska Fairbanks, graduating in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Secondary Education.

Moving to Fairbanks was an easy choice: my Grandma grew up along the banks of the Chena River, and my great-grandfather was a founding member of MarkAir. My great-grandparents raised their four children in their home on Coppet Street. After visiting the Interior throughout my childhood, I knew that Fairbanks was truly the “Golden Heart City.” Making my home in Fairbanks has felt like a homecoming a generation in the making. My goal is to build my life and nurture my family in the beautiful and unique environment that both inspires and motivates me.

I’ve worked as a substitute teacher in the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, a counselor with the Rural Alaska Honors Institute, as a program coordinator at the American Lung Association in Alaska, as the executive director of the Tanana Valley Watershed Association, as a teaching assistant and adjunct faculty with the University of Alaska, and as the Chief of Staff to an Interior Alaska State House member. For the past two years, I have been working hard in both Juneau and Fairbanks to represent our community of West Fairbanks in the legislature.

My experiences in education, outreach, and community organizing have given me the opportunity to learn from a diverse range of leaders. I have also continued my education, graduating with a Master’s in Public Health from UAA in 2020.

In my time working closely with and now serving in the Alaska State House, I have become informed on a variety of state issues, opportunities, and challenges. While I was a legislative aide, I was responsible for carrying over a dozen pieces of legislation, helped move several bills through the legislative process and into law, led House budget subcommittees for seven different state departments, connected with constituents on both individual concerns as well as issues of importance to the entire community, and learned a great deal about the process of creating sound public policy as well as getting work done efficiently given the variety of personalities and priorities in the Legislature.

As a legislator, I have been successful in working together with my colleagues across party lines, finding efficiencies in state government, and taking a common-sense approach to issues while being transparent about my positions to the public and my constituents. During my first term so far, I have chaired the Interior Delegation, participated in a robust and bipartisan freshman caucus, passed a bill defining electric bicycles through the State House and State Senate, introduced and worked on moving five additional pieces of legislation on a wide variety of issues through legislative committees, and served on the House Energy and House Labor and Commerce committees.

Outside of work, I love spending time with my two adorable beagles, Beelz and Zephyr, and working on home projects at my house, which is comfortably nestled between Ester Dome and Murphy Dome on Sheep Creek Road, I absolutely love the arts and recreation opportunities available in Fairbanks, from plays and musical productions to world-class trail systems and the hiking, biking, skiing, and camping opportunities available throughout the Interior. I also love volunteering and participating in events throughout our community.

There is nothing that I am more passionate about or dedicated to than the State of Alaska and the prosperity of Fairbanks as my current and future home. I hope that you will reach out to ask me questions, tell me about issues that are of importance and concern in your life, and support me with your vote in the coming election cycle. Thank you for your interest!