Representative Justin Ruffridge won reelection this past fall, and now he says he is ready for the upcoming Legislative Session.
When asked about his hopes for the 2025 term, Ruffridge stated that it will be a tough two years.
During Ruffridge’s term, the State House approved capital projects for Kenai and also greenlighting projects for large highways with the Department of Transportation and the federal government.
Education policy and funding will be at the forefront of this upcoming year. When reflecting on 2024, Ruffridge stated that they spent a lot of time on them but did not see success during the last Legislative Session. They missed on an education bill by one vote, overriding Governor Dunleavy’s veto.
Ruffridge’s parents were both educators at a small Christian School. He is a strong advocate for the education system. As a result of the 2024 elections, one of the mandates for this upcoming year will be for the education system to be funded.
“Statewide election was really very clear that folks want their education system to be funded. They are very tired of that being the only part of government that has not had additional money put into it on a regular basis. Every other part of government has had at least inflation adjusted cost and the education system has not.” Ruffridge says.
For the last decade, school closures and merges across the peninsula have been a result of that. Class sizes are getting bigger, and many Alaskans are questioning whether or not to stay in the state.
He mentioned it would be Governor Dunleavy’s last two years in office and that he was looking to build a legacy.
“Whoever figures out the best way to work, I think with that administration ultimately wins the day. That’s been difficult for some to figure out. That he’s hoping to accomplish in the next two years.”
Representative Ruffridge was reelected for the 2025 office term following the Nov. 5 general election. He won with 4,985 votes against fellow Republican Ronald Gillham.
Ruffridge represents District 7 which covers Kenai and Soldotna.
In Oct. 2019, Ruffridge was elected for a full term and appointed to Soldotna City Council. He then served as Chair of the Alaska Board of Pharmacy in 2021.
The following year, in 2022, he was elected to his first term as a member of the Alaska State House as the District 7 representative.
Ruffridge is a pharmacist and the owner of Soldotna Professional Pharmacy since 2008.
