Homer resident and commercial fisherman Louie Flora announced campaign to represent the Lower Kenai Peninsula in the Alaska State House. Flora promotes that his experience comes from working as a member of former Rep. Paul Seton’s staff. He says that his expertise in serving the people of the Lower Kenai Peninsula has built a stronger connection with Alaskans and an understanding that to be successful, elected officials must work together for the best outcome for the state.
Flora tells KSRM:
“I just filed my letter of intent, and I am excited to run for the state house seat. I did work in the state legislature for the previous representative for Rep. Seaton from 2004 to 2014 and so I have a lot of legislative background experience in how the processes work. I’m just excited to try and get the district back on track where we’re not so sharply divided by partisan politics. That’s one reason why I’ve filed as a nonpartisan which reflects my political registration. I think we have a lot of opportunities ahead with the harbor expansion in Homer and all the federal infrastructure money that’s coming in. I’d like to see that directed to roads, road safety issues, and deferred maintenance of our public buildings and school roof projects. I just think there’s a lot of opportunity ahead and I’d like to see the community start working together and have better communication with their representative in Juneau.”
Flora also says:
“What sets me apart is I’ve been a lifelong commercial fisherman. I grew up on the back deck of fishing boats from Bristol Bay throughout. I’ve fished in the Bearing Sea. I’ve fished in the Gulf of Alaska, the Cook Inlet, and all over the place. I’ve got a long and extensive commercial fishing background and I’ve been in Juneau as committee staff for the fisheries committee, the resources committee, state affairs committee and the education committee. I know intimately how that the state house works, and I have a lot of contacts and good communication with folks there. I also really know how good communication from the legislature to all members of legislative district should work.”
Flora was elected in 2021 to serve on the Homer Electric Association Board of Directors and is a member of the Kachemak Bay Campus Community Advisory Board.