My Debut on the barackobama.com website! Road To Denver: An Alaskan Activist

Alternate Delegate Liz’s hometown of Homer, Alaska looks like it could be featured in National Geographic. Surrounded by the aroma of Evergreens and breeze from the Kachemak Bay, Liz’slog cabin is surrounded by wildlife including moose, bear, and lynx. Yet despite her remote location, Liz is at the hub of many political hot topics. Between the many economic and cultural problems associated with the Exxon Valdez oil spill and the environmental and health hazards that the exemption of the Clean Water Act on local waters have caused, Liz has spent almost her whole life working to improve the land she loves.

Liz has been actively involved in the Democratic party since she was in high school and spent years studying environmental policy and working policy jobs. “In 2006, I worked with many of the Tribes in Cook Inlet in a landmark cooperation with the goal of having the Tribal voice heard on oil and gas issues. ” She also participated in the 2006 National Pollutant Discharge Ellimination System program to improve the permit by “limiting toxic discharges” and appointing agency officials instead of industry employees to monitor pollution levels.

Aside from her political involvement, Liz works at a retail shop and entertains the many tourists that visit the small fishing town every year. Engaged to a commercial fisherman, Liz loves the water and was the first person recorded to swim the length of Wonder Lake in Denali National Park.

She also organized (and swam) the first crossing of Kachemak Bay to raise awareness of women’s rape and violence in Alaska.

In this election, Liz is looking enact policy change.

“Non-profits struggle with the full-time job of finding consistent funding from non-traditional sources. Governmental jobs face legislative 'restructuring.' … No matter how much input we had supporting a policy change (or simply keeping current policies and legislation from changing), the sway/influence of corporations held more had more influence."

Liz’s frustration with the influence of corporations in the lobbying system led her to support Barack Obama.

“[He] not just inspires hope with inclusion and great ideas, but backs that with distinct examples of community organization and policy changes.” Liz looks forward to the Convention so she can support the candidate who offers the leadership and change she seeks for her state.