| Mary Sattler | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Alaska House of Representatives from the 38th district |
|
| In office January 21, 2003 – January 19, 2009 |
|
| Preceded by | (redistricting took effect) |
| Succeeded by | Bob Herron |
| Member of the Alaska House of Representatives from the 39th district |
|
| In office January 19, 1999 – January 20, 2003 |
|
| Preceded by | Ivan M. Ivan |
| Succeeded by | (redistricting takes effect) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 31, 1973 Anchorage, Alaska |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | 1) Jonathan Kapsner 2) Joe G. Nelson |
| Children | Conrad Adrian "Qugpak" Kapsner, Matthew Van "Mutaq" Kapsner, Job Rock "Tass'iq" Nelson, 1 other (b. ca. March 2008) |
| Residence | Bethel, Alaska |
| Alma mater | University of Northern Colorado, University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Alaska Southeast, University of Alaska Anchorage |
| Occupation | journalist, public relations |
Mary K. Sattler (born August 31, 1973), is a Democratic politician in the U.S. state of Alaska, best known for serving five terms in the Alaska House of Representatives. Sattler represented the 39th District, and following redistricting the 38th District, which were centered around the community of Bethel, from 1999 to 2009. Outside of politics, she has pursued careers in health care, journalism and public relations.
Sattler is the second of eleven children of Ward Sattler (born December 1, 1940), who was a bush pilot and school teacher based in Bethel for several decades. He was also an early staff member of Alaska's at-large representative in the U.S. House, Don Young. Ward Sattler twice ran as a Republican for the 6th District House seat, challenging Democratic incumbent Woodie Salmon. The first time, in 2004, he ran as a Republican while his daughter ran for reelection to her House seat as a Democrat. Salmon lost his relection bid in 2010 to Alan S. Dick, who like Ward Sattler is a Republican, former educator and resident of the Stony River drainage.
Sattler was originally elected in 1998, having defeated incumbent Ivan Martin Ivan of Akiak in the Democratic primary. Ivan served three non-consecutive terms, which were intertwined with the transition of Lyman Hoffman from the House to the Alaska Senate. Sattler appeared on the ballot in her first election under her maiden name, though she was at that point already married to Jonathan Kapsner.[1] She was elected and reelected mostly without or with only minimal opposition, with Ivan's return to challenge her in the 2002 primary the closest contest she faced.
She was the youngest member of the Alaska House until the 2006 election of Scott Kawasaki
During her tenure in the House, she was mostly known by the married name Mary Kapsner. In the latter part of her House tenure, she married Joe Nelson and became known as Mary Nelson. Joe Nelson is director of admissions at the University of Alaska Southeast, and in 2009 was one of then-governor Sarah Palin's unconfirmed appointees to replace Juneau's state senator Kim Elton, who resigned from his Senate seat to take a position in the Obama administration. That Senate seat would eventually be filled by Dennis Egan.
Sattler has since reverted back to going by her maiden name. Since leaving the House, she has worked as the spokesperson for the effort to develop the Donlin Creek Mine. Sattler was elected to the Bethel city council in 2011.[2]
| Honorary titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Tom Brice |
Youngest member of the Alaska House of Representatives 1999 - 2007 |
Succeeded by Scott Kawasaki |