A voting booth for the Kenai Peninsula Borough and City of Homer elections is placed at the Cowles Council Chambers on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022 in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Charlie Menke/Homer News)

A voting booth for the Kenai Peninsula Borough and City of Homer elections is placed at the Cowles Council Chambers on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022 in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Charlie Menke/Homer News)

Opinion: Safeguarding our children’s future

Alaska stands at a pivotal moment ahead of the 2024 election

Under the failed leadership of the Biden Administration, woke agendas have targeted our children and those same woke policies have found their way into Alaska’s schools.

Our children cannot read proficiently because, despite great teachers, the education machine is more focused on gender identity and ensuring transgender athletes can compete in girls sports rather than focus on actual education.

Eighty percent of our children cannot read proficiently by third grade, according to Alaska’s Literacy Blueprint. Our state ranks 49th in fourth grade reading on the National Assessment of Education Progress. And while our state has made significant efforts to address these failures by passing the Alaska Reads Act, there is still much to be done to address a failing agenda that has found its way into our schools, both at the state and federal level.

Our children deserve better. They deserve to grow up with an education that isn’t engulfed in the mainstream culture wars and left-wing agenda.

Alaska stands at a pivotal moment ahead of the 2024 election.

The future of our children and the education they receive are at stake if we do not elect leaders who put Alaskan families first, fight for our values and stand firm against government overreach.

Alaskans do not want the federal government dictating how we should raise our own children.

Congressional candidate Nick Begich is a symbol of hope for many Alaskans who are tired of typical politicians who spew empty promises. He is a dedicated husband, father and embodies the tough Alaskan spirit and grit that makes our state stand out.

As Alaskans, we want the freedom to raise our kids as we see fit in the Last Frontier. It is crucial we elect leaders who protect those freedoms in Washington. As a mother of three girls, I believe we need leaders who are steadfast in their beliefs and fight for Alaskan families.

Nick Begich exemplifies this leadership and is poised to advocate fiercely for our children and uphold the principles that define us.

Begich’s is dedicated to safeguarding our freedoms and putting families first. This dedication resonates deeply with many Alaskan parents. He also recognizes the importance of upholding our Constitutional rights and liberties which have come under attack under the current Administration.

Supporting Nick Begich means we are sending someone to Washington who will fight for the future of our children and put Alaskan families first.

His commitment to preserving freedom, quality education and approach to addressing the challenges Alaskan families face from housing costs to improved infrastructure make him the leader our children need.

I urge my fellow Alaskans to support Nick Begich in the primary on Aug. 20. He is the fighter we need for all Alaskans right now!

Cindy Glassmaker lives in Soldotna.

More in Opinion

A vintage Underwood typewriter sits on a table on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, at the Homer News in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Letters to the editor

Brine makes life less affordable About a year after the 2024 presidential… Continue reading

This figure shows the approximately 2,700 earthquakes that occurred in Southcentral Alaska between Sept. 10 and Nov. 12, 2025. Also shown are the locations of the two research sites in Homer and Kodiak. Figure by Cade Quigley
The people behind earthquake early warning

Alders, alders, everywhere. When you follow scientists in the Alaska wilderness, you’ll… Continue reading

Larry Persily. (Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: Maybe the 5-day-old leftovers are to blame

I don’t ever throw away leftovers. I figure anything wrapped in petrochemical-based… Continue reading

Photo courtesy Kaila Pfister
A parent and teen use conversation cards created by the Alaska Children’s Trust.
Opinion: Staying connected starts with showing up

When our daughter was 11 and the COVID lockdown was in full… Continue reading

Juneau Empire file photo
Larry Persily.
Opinion: The country’s economy is brewing caf and decaf

Most people have seen news reports, social media posts and business charts… Continue reading

Patricia Ann Davis drew this illustration of dancing wires affected by air movement. From the book “Alaska Science Nuggets” by Neil Davis
The mystery of the dancing wires

In this quiet, peaceful time of year, with all the noisy birds… Continue reading

A vintage Underwood typewriter sits on a table on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, at the Homer News in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Letters to the editor

Protecting the Kenai River dip net fishery? Responding to a letter by… Continue reading

Larry Persily. (Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: Poor Southcentral spending decisions matter to everyone

Too many residents, business owners and politicians of Southcentral Alaska — we’re… Continue reading

This mosaic image shows combined passes from NOAA 21, Suomi NPP and NOAA 20 satellites. All show the auroral oval during the geomagnetic storm of Nov. 11-12, 2025. Vincent Ledvina, a graduate student researcher at the UAF Geophysical Institute, added the typical auroral oval to the image before posting it to his Facebook page (Vincent Ledvina — The Aurora Guy). Image by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Vincent Ledvina.
As the dark season begins, more light

It’s November in Fairbanks, when the sun reminds you of where on… Continue reading

Conrad Heiderer. Photo courtesy Conrad Heiderer
A vintage Underwood typewriter sits on a table on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, at the Homer News in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Letter to the editor: Protecting the Kenai River dipnet fishery

The Kenai River dipnet fishery is one of Alaska’s greatest treasures. Attracting… Continue reading

Charles and Tone Deehr are photographed with their daughter, Tina, near Dawson City, Yukon in 1961. Photo courtesy Charles Deehr
Red aurora rare enough to be special

Charles Deehr will never forget his first red aurora. On Feb. 11,… Continue reading