How to Craft Policy with Alaskan Representative Genevieve Mina

Happy New Year! For our first episode of 2026, co-host Ryan Coonerty speaks with Alaska State Representative Genevieve Mina. They discuss what it takes to craft policy in a state grappling with severe climate impacts and some of the nation's highest healthcare costs. Representative Mina offers an inside look at the unique challenges and opportunities shaping Alaska's future. The conversation also unpacks what sparked her initial interest in policy and politics, and how her perspective has shifted over the years. Mina explains how the Alaskan legislature works in both structure and culture and how it became the only state with bipartisan leadership coalitions She shares how the legislature is working to bridge Alaska's urban-rural divide and gives her take on its shifting partisan makeup. Tune in to hear about where the state may be headed politically and to learn more from this engaging conversation.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [01:06] Introducing today's guest, Alaska Representative Genevieve Mina.

• [02:00] Growing up in Anchorage, Alaska, to immigrant parents.

• [03:30] What shaped her view of healthcare in the state of Alaska.

• [04:50] Representative Mina shares what sparked her interest in policy and politics.

• [07:00] How her own experience shifted her perception of politics.

• [08:30] What it is like to represent the most diverse census tract in the United States.

• [10:00] She recounts her decision to run, moving from supporting and advocating to putting her name on a ballot.

• [12:43] Representative Mina explains how the Alaskan legislature works in both structure and culture.

• [13:40] How it came to be that they are the only state with coalitions in both their chambers in the legislature.

• [15:45] She explains the issues that led to the formation of coalitions.

• [17:00] Their strategy for navigating health programs to expand services and potentially reduce costs.

• [17:55] Representative Mina's broader agenda, including the initiatives and bills she's currently advancing.

• [19:30] How the current federal chaos, economic chaos, and tariffs are landing in Alaska.

• [20:55] Responding to the dramatic effects of climate change in Alaska.

• [22:10] Bridging Alaska's urban-rural divide through relationship-building and mutual understanding among diverse communities.

• [24:30] Examining Alaska's shifting partisan makeup and where the state may be headed politically.

• [26:45] How Representative Mina is looking to spend her time and energy going forward.