Les Gara | |
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| Member of theAlaska House of Representatives from the 23rd district | |
| In office January 20, 2003 – January 15, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Eldon Mulder |
| Succeeded by | Zack Fields |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1963-02-06)February 6, 1963 (age 63) New York City,New York, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Kelly Gara |
| Education | Boston University (BA) Harvard University (JD) |
Leslie S. Gara (born February 6, 1963) is aDemocratic former member of theAlaska House of Representatives, having represented the 23rd District from 2003 to 2019. Gara is also a former assistant attorney general and part owner of a local restaurant inAnchorage, Snow City Cafe.[1]
Gara was born on February 6, 1963, inNew York City.[2] He is of Iraqi-Jewish descent.[3] He first started attendingFreeport High School in 1977, graduating in 1981.[2] Gara graduated fromBoston University in 1985 with aBachelor of Arts inhistory.[2] He then earned hisJuris Doctor fromHarvard Law School in 1988.[4] He served as alaw clerk for JusticeJay Rabinowitz of theAlaska Supreme Court and was also an assistant attorney general.[2] During his time as assistant attorney general he worked on the prosecution of theExxon Valdez oil spill civil case.[5]
He was a former member of theAlaska House of Representatives, having represented the 23rd District from 2003 to 2019.[6][7] In June 2018, Gara announced he would not be running for re-election.[8]
On August 20, 2021, Gara announced that he would run for governor in2022.[1] He has criticized incumbent governorMike Dunleavy for cutting funding for public education at theUniversity of Alaska system.[1] He supports "responsible development" of oil and has vowed to improveenergy efficiency standards and addressclimate change,[1] while opposing construction ofPebble Mine to protect fisheries.[9] He also has pledged to protect access toAbortion in Alaska.[9] He supported ranking former governorBill Walker second in the governor's election underranked-choice voting.[9] In the election, he received 24.21% of the vote, and was defeated by incumbent governorMike Dunleavy.[10]
Media related toLes Gara at Wikimedia Commons
| Alaska House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of theAlaska House of Representatives from the 23rd district 2003–2019 | Succeeded by |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Democratic nominee forGovernor of Alaska 2022 | Most recent |
