Palmer lawmaker is 7th Republican to enter governor's race
Current Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy is termed out from seeking reelection.
Hughes was first elected to the state Senate in 2017. She previously served in the state House beginning in 2012, when former Gov. Sean Parnell appointed her to fill a vacancy.
Hughes, who previously served as the Senate majority leader under all-Republican leadership, currently serves in the Senate minority, where she has regularly supported Dunleavy's policy agenda.
"We are on the verge of big and new things in Alaska," Hughes said in a written statement that preceded her campaign announcement. "If we do things right, I have no doubt that the sun will be rising in our great state in a game-changing way."
During a Thursday event announcing her campaign in Palmer, Hughes touched on a wide range of issues, including education, promoting the Alaska LNG project and in-state agriculture, and her concerns about outmigration and the high number of Alaskans on Medicaid.
Other Republicans already in the race include Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom, former state Sen. Click Bishop, Matanuska-Susitna Borough Mayor Edna DeVries, Anchorage business owner Bernadette Wilson, Anchorage podiatrist Matt Heilala and Angoon resident James Parkin.
Hughes' run for governor will make for an open state Senate race. No candidates have announced runs for her seat.
Alaska's state primary election will be held in August 2026. No Democrats have formally entered the governor's race.
Democratic former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola in a social media post on Wednesday accused the Dunleavy administration of "extremist politics" and said "a better way is coming next November."
Peltola's former chief of staff Anton McParland said in a text message that her post was not meant as a campaign announcement.
"But based on conversation we are having with Alaskans, we feel confident there will be a pro-education candidate on the ballot," said McParland.
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Trump tariffs live updates: Trump hits India with additional 25% tariff as world awaits sweeping duties
President Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order imposing an additional 25% tariff on India over its purchases of Russian oil. The new tariff, which will come into effect in 21 days, is set to "stack" on top of an existing country-specific tariff of 25%. In doing so, Trump is set to make good on a threat for higher tariffs on India, as he as accused the country of effectively financing the Russian war in Ukraine. "They're fueling the war machine," he charged in a CNBC interview. India's first 25% levy takes effect Thursday, part of scores of new duties that will see importers paying between 10% to 50% as they bring in goods from nearly 200 countries around the globe. Outside of India, Switzerland is the developed nation whose goods face a whopping increase: up to 39%. You can see the new rates Trump is set to levy in the graphic below: Trump on Tuesday said he would soon announce tariffs on semiconductor and pharmaceutical imports, as he prepares to add more sectoral duties to his mix of tariffs. He said duties on pharma could eventually balloon as high as 250%. In the past several days, Trump has unleashed a flurry of deals and trade moves leading up to his self-imposed deadline: Trump granted Mexico, the US's largest trading partner, a 90-day reprieve on higher tariffs. Trump hiked tariffs on Canadian imports to 35%, though goods contained in the US-Mexico-Canada agreement are exempt, keeping this hike's impact limited so far. The US agreed to a trade deal with South Korea. The agreement includes a 15% tariff rate on imports from the country, while the US will not be charged a tariff on its exports. Trump imposed 50% tariffs on semi-finished copper products starting Aug. 1. The president signed an order to end the de minimis exemption on low-value imports under $800, thereby applying tariffs from Aug. 29. Trump signed another order to impose a total of 50% tariffs on many goods from Brazil. However, it exempts key US imports like orange juice and aircraft parts that benefit Embraer (ERJ). The US and EU agreed to a trade deal that imposes 15% tariffs on EU goods. The nations are still working on finalizing many terms of the deal. Read more: What Trump's tariffs mean for the economy and your wallet Here are the latest updates as the policy reverberates around the world. Trump hits India with additional 25% tariff over Russia oil buys President Trump has hit India with an additional 25% tariff due to India's purchase of Russian oil. The US President threatened India with higher tariffs earlier this week, to which India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that it was "unjustified" and also called out the US for its double standard over Russia. In an interview with CNBC on Tuesday, Trump said that India was helping to fuel the war machine. 'They're fueling the war machine. And if they're going to do that, then I'm not going to be happy,' Trump said. In the early days of trade negotiations, relations between the US and India appeared more friendly with both sides saying they will reach a deal within days. However, over recent months things seem to have turned sour as neither side can agree on some of the finer details within the deal, which concern dairy and agriculture products. As a result, a trade war seems to have developed between the two sides and now with this additional 25% tariff gift from Trump to Modi the two seem further away from reaching an agreement than ever before. Modi's rival blasts 'bully' Trump as public opinion hardens Rahul Gandhi, Narendra Modi's most recognizable political leader, has come out to call President Trump a "bully" for his negotiation tactics. Bloomberg reports: Read more here. Trump order lowering tariffs on EU autos still days away: source European automakers will have to hold on a little while longer before President Trump lowers auto tariffs as EU-US negotiations continue. Reuters reports: Read more here. Alcohol groups say tariffs put $2B in sales and 25,000 jobs at risk In a letter to President Trump, a group comprising of 57 alcohol industry firms have said that Trump's tariffs of 15% on EU goods could reduce the value of alcohol sales by almost $2B and put 25,000 jobs at risk. Reuters reports: Read more here. Carney says he'll look at opportunities to remove tariffs on US Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said that he will look to assess ways in which he can remove some counter-tariffs against the US. Carney's statement seems at odds with his earlier commitments to fight back against President Trump's trade war. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Trump says Japan to import Ford's huge F-150 pickup trucks President Trump said that Japan has agreed to accept imports of Ford's F-150 pick up trucks. This latest news is seen as a sign that the two sides may not be on the same page when it comes to their understanding of the trade agreement reached last month. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. US investments under trade deal will be determined by benefits for Tokyo: Japan Reuters reports: Read more here. Honda Q1 operating profit halves on tariffs Shares in Honda Motor (HMC) rose 2% premarket on Wednesday after the automaker reported a 50% drop in first-quarter operating profit. A stronger yen and the impact of President Trump's tariffs took their toll, but the company raised its full-year forecast. Reuters reports: Read more here. China draws red lines on US chip tracking with Nvidia meeting China is pushing back against the US over chips despite their overall trade truce. Last week, Beijing summoned Nvidia (NVDA) staff over security concerns with H20 chips, signaling opposition to the US plans to track advanced semiconductors. Analysts view China's latest move as a warning that it will not allow the US to dominate the chip sector. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Trump says he's readying more tariffs on Russian energy buyers Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Canada to help lumber industry cope with US tariffs: Carney Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced that Canada will provide funds to help the lumber industry prepare for tariffs. Reuters reports: Read more here. Starbucks under pressure again as Brazilian tariffs hike coffee costs Starbucks (SBUX) may soon hike prices on its pumpkin spice lattes and bottled Frappuccinos as it faces cost pressure from the 50% tariff on Brazilian coffee imports, which takes effect on Aug. 6. Yahoo Finance's Francisco Velasquez reports: Read more here. EU continues to press for tariff exemption on wine, spirits as part of US deal The EU is pushing for its wine and spirit exports to be exempt from US tariffs, while both sides work towards refining the deal they agreed last month. The WSJ reports: Read more here. Countries push for last-minute deals as Thursday tariff deadline looms Global importers are bracing for President Trump's next tariff deadline on Thursday morning, when the president's tiered approach to tariffs is expected to take effect. Yet some of the details around trade agreements remain fuzzy. Yahoo Finance's Ben Werschkul reports: Read more here. Trump's copper tariffs apply to $15B of products so far President Trump's copper (HG=F) tariffs are due to hit imports valued at more than $15B in 2024, highlighting the potential inflationary impact on American manufacturers. Trump's unveiling of 50% import duties rattled the global copper market last week, because the US president provided a surprise exemption to key forms of wiring metal. But it still leaves significant trade volumes subject to tariffs. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Trump threatens EU with increased tariffs if it doesn't meet investment pledge President Trump threatened to hike tariffs on the European Union back to 35% if the bloc fails to live up to a pledge to invest some $600 billion in the US. "A couple of countries came [and said], 'How come the EU is paying less than us?' And I said well, because they gave me $600 billion," Trump said during a CNBC interview. "And that's a gift, that's not like, you know, a loan," he said, claiming that the terms allow the US to direct where the EU invests. Trump says pharma duties could go to 250% President Trump said he would announce tariffs on semiconductor and pharmaceutical imports "within the next week or so." "We'll be putting a initially small tariff on pharmaceuticals, but in one year — one and a half years, maximum — it's going to go to 150%. And then it's going to go to 250%, because we want pharmaceuticals made in our country," Trump said during a CNBC interview. He said semiconductor and chip tariffs would be in a "different category." US tariff on EU goods set at flat 15% The EU said on Tuesday that European Union goods entering the US face a flat 15% tariff, including cars and car parts. The rate includes the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariff and won't exceed 15% even if the US raises tariffs on items like semiconductors and medicines. The EU said it still expects turbulence in its trade dealings with the US. Reuters reports: Read more here. India hits back at Trump's tariff threat India has called out President Trump after he threatened to "substantially raise" tariffs on Indian exports over its Russian oil purchases, slamming the move as unjustified. New Delhi said it would take all necessary steps to protect its economic interests. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Nvidia partner Hon Hai's July sales growth weakened by tariffs Nvidia's (NVDA) main server assembly partner Hon Hai Precision ( reported a sales slowdown for July due to US tariffs. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. President Trump has hit India with an additional 25% tariff due to India's purchase of Russian oil. The US President threatened India with higher tariffs earlier this week, to which India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that it was "unjustified" and also called out the US for its double standard over Russia. In an interview with CNBC on Tuesday, Trump said that India was helping to fuel the war machine. 'They're fueling the war machine. And if they're going to do that, then I'm not going to be happy,' Trump said. In the early days of trade negotiations, relations between the US and India appeared more friendly with both sides saying they will reach a deal within days. However, over recent months things seem to have turned sour as neither side can agree on some of the finer details within the deal, which concern dairy and agriculture products. As a result, a trade war seems to have developed between the two sides and now with this additional 25% tariff gift from Trump to Modi the two seem further away from reaching an agreement than ever before. Modi's rival blasts 'bully' Trump as public opinion hardens Rahul Gandhi, Narendra Modi's most recognizable political leader, has come out to call President Trump a "bully" for his negotiation tactics. Bloomberg reports: Read more here. Rahul Gandhi, Narendra Modi's most recognizable political leader, has come out to call President Trump a "bully" for his negotiation tactics. Bloomberg reports: Read more here. Trump order lowering tariffs on EU autos still days away: source European automakers will have to hold on a little while longer before President Trump lowers auto tariffs as EU-US negotiations continue. Reuters reports: Read more here. European automakers will have to hold on a little while longer before President Trump lowers auto tariffs as EU-US negotiations continue. Reuters reports: Read more here. Alcohol groups say tariffs put $2B in sales and 25,000 jobs at risk In a letter to President Trump, a group comprising of 57 alcohol industry firms have said that Trump's tariffs of 15% on EU goods could reduce the value of alcohol sales by almost $2B and put 25,000 jobs at risk. Reuters reports: Read more here. In a letter to President Trump, a group comprising of 57 alcohol industry firms have said that Trump's tariffs of 15% on EU goods could reduce the value of alcohol sales by almost $2B and put 25,000 jobs at risk. Reuters reports: Read more here. Carney says he'll look at opportunities to remove tariffs on US Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said that he will look to assess ways in which he can remove some counter-tariffs against the US. Carney's statement seems at odds with his earlier commitments to fight back against President Trump's trade war. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said that he will look to assess ways in which he can remove some counter-tariffs against the US. Carney's statement seems at odds with his earlier commitments to fight back against President Trump's trade war. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Trump says Japan to import Ford's huge F-150 pickup trucks President Trump said that Japan has agreed to accept imports of Ford's F-150 pick up trucks. This latest news is seen as a sign that the two sides may not be on the same page when it comes to their understanding of the trade agreement reached last month. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. President Trump said that Japan has agreed to accept imports of Ford's F-150 pick up trucks. This latest news is seen as a sign that the two sides may not be on the same page when it comes to their understanding of the trade agreement reached last month. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. US investments under trade deal will be determined by benefits for Tokyo: Japan Reuters reports: Read more here. Reuters reports: Read more here. Honda Q1 operating profit halves on tariffs Shares in Honda Motor (HMC) rose 2% premarket on Wednesday after the automaker reported a 50% drop in first-quarter operating profit. A stronger yen and the impact of President Trump's tariffs took their toll, but the company raised its full-year forecast. Reuters reports: Read more here. Shares in Honda Motor (HMC) rose 2% premarket on Wednesday after the automaker reported a 50% drop in first-quarter operating profit. A stronger yen and the impact of President Trump's tariffs took their toll, but the company raised its full-year forecast. Reuters reports: Read more here. China draws red lines on US chip tracking with Nvidia meeting China is pushing back against the US over chips despite their overall trade truce. Last week, Beijing summoned Nvidia (NVDA) staff over security concerns with H20 chips, signaling opposition to the US plans to track advanced semiconductors. Analysts view China's latest move as a warning that it will not allow the US to dominate the chip sector. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. China is pushing back against the US over chips despite their overall trade truce. Last week, Beijing summoned Nvidia (NVDA) staff over security concerns with H20 chips, signaling opposition to the US plans to track advanced semiconductors. Analysts view China's latest move as a warning that it will not allow the US to dominate the chip sector. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Trump says he's readying more tariffs on Russian energy buyers Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Canada to help lumber industry cope with US tariffs: Carney Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced that Canada will provide funds to help the lumber industry prepare for tariffs. Reuters reports: Read more here. Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced that Canada will provide funds to help the lumber industry prepare for tariffs. Reuters reports: Read more here. Starbucks under pressure again as Brazilian tariffs hike coffee costs Starbucks (SBUX) may soon hike prices on its pumpkin spice lattes and bottled Frappuccinos as it faces cost pressure from the 50% tariff on Brazilian coffee imports, which takes effect on Aug. 6. Yahoo Finance's Francisco Velasquez reports: Read more here. Starbucks (SBUX) may soon hike prices on its pumpkin spice lattes and bottled Frappuccinos as it faces cost pressure from the 50% tariff on Brazilian coffee imports, which takes effect on Aug. 6. Yahoo Finance's Francisco Velasquez reports: Read more here. EU continues to press for tariff exemption on wine, spirits as part of US deal The EU is pushing for its wine and spirit exports to be exempt from US tariffs, while both sides work towards refining the deal they agreed last month. The WSJ reports: Read more here. The EU is pushing for its wine and spirit exports to be exempt from US tariffs, while both sides work towards refining the deal they agreed last month. The WSJ reports: Read more here. Countries push for last-minute deals as Thursday tariff deadline looms Global importers are bracing for President Trump's next tariff deadline on Thursday morning, when the president's tiered approach to tariffs is expected to take effect. Yet some of the details around trade agreements remain fuzzy. Yahoo Finance's Ben Werschkul reports: Read more here. Global importers are bracing for President Trump's next tariff deadline on Thursday morning, when the president's tiered approach to tariffs is expected to take effect. Yet some of the details around trade agreements remain fuzzy. Yahoo Finance's Ben Werschkul reports: Read more here. Trump's copper tariffs apply to $15B of products so far President Trump's copper (HG=F) tariffs are due to hit imports valued at more than $15B in 2024, highlighting the potential inflationary impact on American manufacturers. Trump's unveiling of 50% import duties rattled the global copper market last week, because the US president provided a surprise exemption to key forms of wiring metal. But it still leaves significant trade volumes subject to tariffs. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. President Trump's copper (HG=F) tariffs are due to hit imports valued at more than $15B in 2024, highlighting the potential inflationary impact on American manufacturers. Trump's unveiling of 50% import duties rattled the global copper market last week, because the US president provided a surprise exemption to key forms of wiring metal. But it still leaves significant trade volumes subject to tariffs. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Trump threatens EU with increased tariffs if it doesn't meet investment pledge President Trump threatened to hike tariffs on the European Union back to 35% if the bloc fails to live up to a pledge to invest some $600 billion in the US. "A couple of countries came [and said], 'How come the EU is paying less than us?' And I said well, because they gave me $600 billion," Trump said during a CNBC interview. "And that's a gift, that's not like, you know, a loan," he said, claiming that the terms allow the US to direct where the EU invests. President Trump threatened to hike tariffs on the European Union back to 35% if the bloc fails to live up to a pledge to invest some $600 billion in the US. "A couple of countries came [and said], 'How come the EU is paying less than us?' And I said well, because they gave me $600 billion," Trump said during a CNBC interview. "And that's a gift, that's not like, you know, a loan," he said, claiming that the terms allow the US to direct where the EU invests. Trump says pharma duties could go to 250% President Trump said he would announce tariffs on semiconductor and pharmaceutical imports "within the next week or so." "We'll be putting a initially small tariff on pharmaceuticals, but in one year — one and a half years, maximum — it's going to go to 150%. And then it's going to go to 250%, because we want pharmaceuticals made in our country," Trump said during a CNBC interview. He said semiconductor and chip tariffs would be in a "different category." President Trump said he would announce tariffs on semiconductor and pharmaceutical imports "within the next week or so." "We'll be putting a initially small tariff on pharmaceuticals, but in one year — one and a half years, maximum — it's going to go to 150%. And then it's going to go to 250%, because we want pharmaceuticals made in our country," Trump said during a CNBC interview. He said semiconductor and chip tariffs would be in a "different category." US tariff on EU goods set at flat 15% The EU said on Tuesday that European Union goods entering the US face a flat 15% tariff, including cars and car parts. The rate includes the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariff and won't exceed 15% even if the US raises tariffs on items like semiconductors and medicines. The EU said it still expects turbulence in its trade dealings with the US. Reuters reports: Read more here. The EU said on Tuesday that European Union goods entering the US face a flat 15% tariff, including cars and car parts. The rate includes the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariff and won't exceed 15% even if the US raises tariffs on items like semiconductors and medicines. The EU said it still expects turbulence in its trade dealings with the US. Reuters reports: Read more here. India hits back at Trump's tariff threat India has called out President Trump after he threatened to "substantially raise" tariffs on Indian exports over its Russian oil purchases, slamming the move as unjustified. New Delhi said it would take all necessary steps to protect its economic interests. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. India has called out President Trump after he threatened to "substantially raise" tariffs on Indian exports over its Russian oil purchases, slamming the move as unjustified. New Delhi said it would take all necessary steps to protect its economic interests. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Nvidia partner Hon Hai's July sales growth weakened by tariffs Nvidia's (NVDA) main server assembly partner Hon Hai Precision ( reported a sales slowdown for July due to US tariffs. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Nvidia's (NVDA) main server assembly partner Hon Hai Precision ( reported a sales slowdown for July due to US tariffs. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
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A clean sweep: Chippewa County voters approve every item on Tuesday's ballot
Voters across Chippewa County took to the polls on Tuesday, Aug. 5 to decide a number of local proposals. With unofficial results counted, here's how things turned out across the townships: More: Voters approve Sault Area Schools bond proposal Bruce Township In Bruce Township, voters approved a road maintenance millage with 262 yes votes to 141 no votes. This will allow the township to renew a levy of 2.5 mills, which was previously approved in 2021. The money will only go towards maintaining and fixing roads in the township for four years, beginning in 2026. Dafter Township In Dafter Township, voters were deciding a road millage proposal asking for .5 mills over a six-year period. These funds would only go towards road construction and repairs. Voters approved it with 97 yes votes to 64 no votes. The millage is expected to raise $26,283 each year. Kinross Township In Kinross Township, there was a millage proposal to help fund the parks and recreation department. Voters said yes to the proposed 2 mills, which will only be used to fund the Kinross Recreation Center, Duke Lake and the community park in Kinross Township. Voters approved it with 262 yes votes to 147 no votes. The millage will be levied this year and last for a total of four years. It is expected to raise $131,373 in the first year. Raber Township Raber Township had two items on the ballot, the first one being a medical services millage request for the new Northern Emergency Medical Services program. To fund the new service, the township asked for 3 mills for the next three years, raising an estimated $110,000 in the first year. Voters said yes to the proposal with 106 yes votes to 57 no votes. The second proposal involved funding for fire protection services. This is a renewal on a previous millage of .6955 mills that expired in 2024. Voters said yes to the renewal, which will raise an estimated $23,000 in the first year and lasting five years. There were 119 yes votes to 44 no votes. More: Election preview: What's on the Aug. 5 ballot in Chippewa County? Subscribe: Get unlimited access to our content Sugar Island Township Sugar Island Township voters had three items on their ballot. The first one was a renewal of funding for ambulance services. The proposal asked for 2.9811 mills to be levied for three years, starting in 2025 and raising an estimated $160,979 in the first year. This millage funds the ambulance services on the island. It passed with 142 yes votes to 33 no votes. The second proposal was for a renewal of emergency services. The township asked for 1.4230 mills for three years to fund fire department services. Voters approved it with 163 yes votes and 12 no votes. The three-year funding will raise an estimated $76,842 in the first year. The third proposal was a renewal for solid waste services funding. Voters approved this proposal with 158 yes votes to 18 no votes. The 1.6235 millage lasts for three years, beginning in 2025. It is estimated to raise $87,669 in the first year. — Contact Brendan Wiesner: BWiesner@ This article originally appeared on The Sault News: Chippewa County voters approve every ballot item in Aug. 5 election Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
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Earlham student from Pendleton to run for Statehouse in District 53
RICHMOND, IN — An Earlham College student has officially thrown their hat into a 2026 election race. Reece Axel-Adams, a 21-year-old politics student who is comfortable with an alternate pronoun, said they are running for an Indiana House of Representatives seat in District 53 against incumbent Ethan Lawson. District 53 covers most of Hancock County and part of Madison County. Axel-Adams is from Pendleton, which sits in the district. Axel-Adams said they are living with their parents and spoke about the hardships the current generation faces. Axel-Adams said they have struggled with mental health issues, sharing their history of depression and being put on a suicide alert in January. They took a medical leave from Earlham for a second straight semester but said they have been doing much better with therapy. "The stigma around mental health, especially among men in America, is awful," they said. "For me, that's a center point of the campaign. I could go on and on about the mental health crisis that we as a society and youth in particuliar are facing. (Therapy) is a wonderful thing, because it makes us realize things about ourselves that we didn't know and process those hard, traumatic things in life. It truly is life-changing." Campaign theme centers around Indiana's future Axel-Adams said they are running on the theme of "The Future," asking where the state is now and should be heading. "When you've got people graduating from Indiana and people still in college looking at leaving the state that they grew up in, that's a problem," they said. "If we lose young people, we lose the future." Among Axel-Adams' other platform points are housing, opportunities and jobs, community, equality and unity, cannabis reform and the economy. "The economy is stupid," they said. Prices and rents are high, and it's difficult for younger people to afford to buy a home. "What are we as Gen Zers, Millennials, Gen Alphas and the generations that come after us are supposed to do?" Axel-Adams called themselves a "true-blue Democrat," but they bash their own party as hard as the Republican Party. "Biden and Trump were saying how the economy is doing great," they said. "Jobs are great, how prices were down, how people could afford to buy a house on a single job. Whatever party's not in power is going to be saying the economy's doing awful. "When Jane goes down the road to the grocery store and pays 6 bucks for a dozen eggs and 2 bucks for a gallon of milk, that's 8 bucks right there for two staples that practically every house has in the refrigerator almost every time," they said. "Throw in produce and some meat and other dairy products, you're already up to 50 bucks. If you're creative and are a good enough shopper, you've got food for maybe five days." Axel-Adams said they are in the process of finalizing a domain for a campaign website. Experience with campaigns, lawsuits, protests Axel-Adams is no stranger to being involved in local government. Last year, Axel-Adams was a campaign manager for Indiana Senate candidate Suzanne Fortenberry, which was ultimately unsuccessful but served as further motivation to seek an elected office. "Ever since high school, I knew one day that I was going to run for office of some kind," they said. "A lot of my friends and people who knew me at school were convinced that one day I was going to run for office. There's sort of a gag among some of my friends and I that one day I'd be governor of Indiana. Who knows?" While at Earlham, Axel-Adams was one of the students who spoke out in support of professors becoming unionized and was present at a Richmond Education Association rally in 2023. Axel-Adams also served as a student senator for Earlham's student government and, as a high school junior, sued Pendleton Heights High School for discrimination after teachers were told to take down pride flags in classrooms. "I started a petition online, got 5,000 signatures and talked in front of the school board and administration," they said. "I wasn't able to change their minds, so that prompted me to start the school's Gay-Straight Alliance with one of the teachers, because if they're going to try and make us hide, we're just going to be louder." Axel-Adams partnered with the state's ACLU and filed a lawsuit, which ended in a settlement with the corporation after a judge ruled a preliminary injunction. Axel-Adams said they weren't asking for punitive damages. "I'm not in this whole politics business to get rich," they said. "If I was, there are far easier ways to make a lot of money, and politicians don't make a lot of money in Indiana, especially if you're a state legislator." Axel-Adams also started a nonprofit campaign consulting firm, Axel Campaign Consulting. They focus on low-cost services to local candidates without a lot of money. Expectations to win low Axel-Adams said they don't expect to win but that they are "going to work like hell to win." "I expect to lose because, gerrymandered, I don't think this seat has been Democratic ever," they said. "But I do have to think about the future, because I probably won't win." Despite their low expectations, Axel-Adams said they will run again for another position, possibly for the state's senate. "I think I've got a chance, but if I don't win, by the time I'll be old enough to run for Senate, I'll run against (Mike) Gaskill," they said. "I think in that scenario, I think I'd have a better chance of winning there." Axel-Adams acknowledged they'd be just one of 100 in the Lower House. "I'm not promising to go in there and completely change everything," they said. "I would be ecstatic if I got one bill passed, and that would probably be a very nonpartisan roads funding bill because I like having nice roads to drive on." Evan Weaver is a news and sports reporter at The Palladium-Item. Contact him on X (@evan_weaver7) or email at eweaver@ This article originally appeared on Richmond Palladium-Item: Earlham student launches bid for Indiana House of Representatives Solve the daily Crossword
