Meet Kelly

I’m Kelly Cooper, and I’m running to represent District 31 in the Legislature. I’ve lived in Homer for 18 years and raised a family here. Alaska has been so good to me. I want to give back to this beautiful state and be part of the solution to the problems we’re facing. I am excited to bring my local government experience to Juneau and lead our district with respect for everyone.

I believe in public service.

I’ve done a lot of things in my life. I’ve been a realtor, a bartender, an insurance agent, and a volunteer basketball coach. I am a mother to Veronica and Leo, and a grandmother to Gage and Janessa. But no matter my title, my work has always been about the same things: People. Relationships. Being a member of the community who is willing to help wherever needed.

I have sat on the board of the Homer Chamber of Commerce and the South Peninsula Hospital Operating Board. I served six years on each and did a stint as board president each time. For the past six years, I have represented Homer on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly, where I’ve twice served as assembly president.

I’m a problem-solver.

I believe in working together to solve problems. That means anything from tracking down a local 3-D printer to help produce face masks, to chipping in coffee cards to a local fundraiser, to working with the state legislature to make sure remote areas have high-quality EMS response, regardless of the local funding base.

Kelly with employees at her coffee shop — My team at Coop’s Coffee

I’m a small business owner.

When my husband, Coop, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, our youngest was only 16. I knew he was going to need his mom more than ever, and I changed my whole world to make sure that I could be there for him. I left my job as an account executive for Wells Fargo Insurance and purchased Glacier View Cabins, a business I could run from home.

In 2015, I opened Coop’s Coffee. This business gives me the opportunity to connect with the Homer community and talk to our residents about what’s important to them. I see people at the window at Coop’s who I just wouldn’t otherwise meet.