Senator Rob Yundt

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Before explaining why Trenitie and I are proud to endorse this ticket, I want Alaskans to know that we did not make this decision lightly. We looked for proven leadership. A team with real-world experience who have actually built things—not just talked about them and most importantly a team who is being honest with the voters about policy and the states finances.

Matt Heilala understands what it takes to build something in Alaska because he has lived it. He worked as a commercial fisherman to put himself through college, built a remarkable business from the ground up, met payroll, navigated regulations, and created opportunities for countless Alaskans. Matt knows what real work looks like because he has done it himself.

Matt is not running to climb the political ladder—he is running to solve problems. He brings a disciplined business mindset, the courage to make tough decisions, and a clear understanding of how government policies affect working families, employers, and communities across our state. In my opinion, Matt is one of the most accomplished businessmen in Alaska's history and the most accomplished business leader ever to seek the office of Governor.

His choice for Lieutenant Governor makes this ticket even stronger.

Jesse Sumner has spent his career building Alaska from the ground up. He has built hundreds of homes across the Mat-Su Borough, served the public on the Mat-Su Borough Assembly, and represented Alaskans in the State House. Very few people have successfully combined business experience with local and state government service the way Jesse has. He understands housing, economic development, elections, local government, and state policy because he has lived all of them.

I also saw firsthand Jesse's commitment to taxpayers during his time on the Mat-Su Borough Assembly. After an influx of revenue from the State to the Mat-Su Borough created a budget surplus, Jesse returned $12 million to taxpayers through property tax credits. In all my years in public service, that is the only time I have ever seen an elected official voluntarily give money back to taxpayers because the government had more than it needed. That decision speaks volumes about Jesse's character, his fiscal discipline, and his belief that government should never keep more of your money than it truly needs.

Without question, I believe Jesse Sumner is the most well-rounded and effective combination of businessman and policymaker ever to run for Lieutenant Governor in Alaska's history.

Together, Matt Heilala and Jesse Sumner are, in my opinion, the most accomplished Governor and Lieutenant Governor ticket Alaska has ever seen from a business and governing perspective. Between them, they have created jobs, built businesses, developed communities, balanced budgets, served in local and state government, and consistently put taxpayers first. They understand that government exists to serve the people—not the other way around.

That is why Trenitie and I are proud to give Matt Heilala and Jesse Sumner our full endorsement. I believe they have the integrity, experience, vision, and work ethic to lead Alaska forward. If we want an administration focused on results instead of rhetoric, this is the team to get it done.

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— Senator Robert Yundt, Wasilla