Republican Wright files to challenge House District 28 incumbent

Republican Stephen Wright filed Wednesday to challenge the House District 28 incumbent, criticizing her votes on tax legislation and state spending while pledging to restore the full statutory Permanent Fund Dividend.

Wright, a retired Air Force resource advisor with 22 years of military service who holds five degrees including an MBA in healthcare administration from Wayland Baptist University, accused the incumbent of backing SB 113, which he described as a costly tax scheme that hurts families, and voting for HB 57 to increase state spending without taxpayer accountability. He also criticized her for voting to kill a natural gas pipeline bill.

Wright said the 2018 transition from the statutory Permanent Fund Dividend formula to a market value model created a growth trap that prioritizes bureaucracy over citizens. He pledged to return the dividend payment to its traditional statutory calculation.

The Mat-Su Valley resident has lived in the Wasilla area since 2009. He lists fiscal transparency, cuts to non-essential spending, and support for resource development, infrastructure, law enforcement, veterans, and seniors as campaign priorities.

House District 28 covers parts of the Mat-Su Borough.

The candidate statement was prepared in accordance with AS 15.5, 8.030 and 6 AAC 25.690.