Sherri Blankenship
Age: 45
How many years have you lived in Sitka and in Alaska? 21 years
Occupation: Nutritionist and owner of Highliner Coffee Co.
Family: I have 4 children. A 27 yr old son (Colton) a 26 yr old son (Vaughn ) a 17 yr old son (Gabriel) and a 12 year old daughter (Sadie ). My partner (Justin Peeler) is a commercial fisherman and the president of NSRAA .
Have you previously run for public office? When and what office?
No
Previous government or other relevant experience:
Beyond more than 20 years of experience working on and running political campaigns, I have no other relevant government experience.
Community involvement, past and present:
For more than 20 years, with four children in Sitka’s school district, I’ve been deeply woven into the life of this community—volunteering, supporting local initiatives, and engaging wherever I can make a difference. Alongside this, I’ve been a consistent advocate for a strong and resilient economy. Through my work with Safeguard Sitka, I’ve helped highlight how industries like tourism and small business are essential to keeping our economy diverse, stable, and able to support families like ours for the long term.
Why are you running for a seat on the Sitka Assembly this year?
I am running for Assembly because I believe it’s time for a woman business owner—someone with a diverse background across multiple industries, more than 20 years of community involvement, and children who have grown up in Sitka’s schools—to step forward. My goal is to advocate for families, support our youth, and ensure that the industries vital to Sitka’s future have a strong voice of representation.
Support for Industries
I will work to ensure that Sitka’s core industries-fishing, tourism, small business, and beyond—are supported in ways that are both fair and sustainable. Protecting their future means protecting the foundation of our community.
Maximizing Resources
Every dollar matters. I will push to secure every state and federal funding source available to Sitka, and ensure our legislative priorities are aligned with the real challenges we face as a community.
Investing in Health & Human Services
I will advocate for robust investment in health and social services. By closing gaps in care, strengthening mental health support, and building stronger safety nets, we create a healthier, more resilient community.
Fixing Permitting Challenges
The permitting process has become a barrier to progress. I will work to find solutions that make it efficient, transparent, and fair, so Sitkans can move forward with projects that build both homes and opportunities. These are just some of my priorities .
Ballot Propositions
Proposition 1: This fall, voters will consider a ballot initiative to amend the city’s Home Rule Charter and direct future surplus revenue from the Sitka Community Hospital Dedicated Fund toward new and revitalized athletic and recreational facilities. Do you support this proposal? Why or why not?
I strongly support the proposed Athletic Center because it represents so much more than just a gym or recreation space. It is an investment in Sitka’s health, its families, and its future. For our youth, it provides a safe and positive environment that encourages physical activity, teamwork, and lifelong wellness. For adults and seniors, it offers programs that promote fitness, mental health, and social connection…meeting the needs of every generation.
But the impact extends beyond personal wellness. A facility of this caliber creates opportunities to bring Sitkans together, fostering a stronger sense of community and unity. It would also position Sitka to host regional tournaments, sporting events, and cultural gatherings, drawing in visitors who contribute directly to our local economy. Hotels, restaurants, and small businesses all benefit when we become a destination for events.
In short, the Athletic Center is both a community resource and an economic driver. It strengthens our social fabric while also generating outside revenue, making it a project that pays dividends in health, opportunity, and economic vitality.
Proposition 2: Sitkans will vote on a ballot measure this fall that would require future citizen initiatives to include economic impact studies, paid for by the initiative’s sponsor. Do you support this proposal? Why or why not?
I support Proposition 2 because I believe knowledge is power and the community deserves access to clear, unbiased information. When data is gathered and presented by an independent third party with no vested interests, it removes the frustration and distrust that arise when information is filtered through groups seeking an outcome that benefits themselves.
We saw this play out during Ballot Measure 1 on capping tourism. Both sides produced conflicting data, each trying to disprove the other, leaving voters caught in the middle and unsure of what to believe. That is neither fair nor transparent.
By ensuring that information comes from a reputable, independent firm with the expertise and credibility to present facts objectively, we empower voters to make informed decisions. Clear, concise, and trustworthy data is essential to maintaining fairness, strengthening public trust, and upholding the integrity of our democratic process.
Tourism
Last year, the Sitka Assembly approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the local cruise ship operator. Is that MOU working? Are there any changes you would propose?
The memorandum of understanding with the city is a clear example of thoughtful governance in action ..and it’s working. I’m proud of the proactive leadership shown by our Tourism Task Force/Tourism Commission, and the City of Sitka in recognizing areas of concern, listening to community voices, and implementing strategies to reduce congestion and strain.
The results are measurable and meaningful. Proven data confirms that bus traffic has not increased, and by staggering cruise visitors into downtown, we’ve significantly eased congestion and preserved the quality of life for residents. This shows that when we approach challenges with collaboration, data-driven solutions, and common sense, we not only protect our infrastructure but also strengthen our capacity for sustainable growth.
What other steps should be taken, if any, by the Sitka Assembly to address Sitka’s tourism growth? Please explain.
Budget
BUDGET: How do you propose funding city government (including enterprise funds, electricity, water, etc.)?
A healthy city budget begins with a healthy economy. The strongest path forward for Sitka’s general fund is not to lean more heavily on existing revenues, but to grow and diversify them in ways that make sense for our community.
One promising opportunity is energy. Sitka already generates more power than we consume, but the missing piece is infrastructure. By investing in the ability to connect more customers, we could open the door to revenue that doesn’t currently exist. For example, enabling cruise ships to plug into shore power while in port would not only generate new income for Sitka, but also reduce emissions and protect our environment. It’s both an economic and environmental win.
Another smart investment is the proposed Athletic Center. This facility would do far more than provide a healthy outlet for our youth. It would serve every age demographic, support wellness programs, and build a culture of community connection. By hosting tournaments and events, the center would also attract visitors and outside revenue, turning an investment in our people into a direct contribution to Sitka’s economy.
In short, Sitka can grow its general fund by focusing on strategies that are innovative, forward-looking, and aligned with our values. By combining economic growth, smart infrastructure, and community-focused projects, we can strengthen our city in a way that is financially responsible, environmentally sustainable, and socially unifying.
School District
What’s your philosophy on school funding? Should we fund the Sitka School District to the maximum allowable by state law, or “the cap”?
We must commit to funding our schools to the maximum allowed, because nothing is more important than investing in the next generation. At the same time, we must confront the reality that Sitka’s young population is in decline. Fewer families mean fewer students, and that threatens both the vitality of our schools and the future of our community. If we want Sitka to thrive, we need to fully support our schools today while also addressing the broader challenge of keeping young families here for tomorrow.
Housing
What tangible actions can the Sitka Assembly take to ease Sitka’s housing crisis?
To meaningfully address Sitka’s housing crisis, the Assembly must take a multi-pronged approach. First, we need to explore opportunities to open new land for development by working in partnership with state and federal agencies. At the same time, it’s important to review our city’s building codes. While safety and quality standards are essential, certain requirements and regulations may be driving construction costs unnecessarily higher and significantly slowing the process. A cost-benefit analysis could help us identify which regulations are truly adding value and which may be creating barriers to affordability and efficiency.
In short, the Assembly can help ease the housing crisis by opening new land for responsible development and streamlining building codes/permitting for cost and efficiency . With a combination of forward-thinking policies and practical adjustments, we can create a healthier, more balanced housing market that works for all Sitkans.
Policy
Describe one piece of legislation you would like to bring forward as an assembly member, and explain how you would fund it.
I would bring forward legislation to create a more formal link between the Tourism Commission’s recommendations and the city’s policy-making process. Right now, tourism management often feels fragmented, and residents shoulder the impacts without always seeing clear solutions. By institutionalizing this connection, we can improve how tourism is planned and managed, reduce strain on infrastructure, and make sure community concerns are addressed. Funding would come from existing cruise passenger revenues, smarter use of city fees, and federal grants for infrastructure and clean-energy projects like shore power. This ensures tourism dollars are invested back into the community while also protecting our quality of life and environment.
