Mary Nelson

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 on the community of Bethel, from 1999 to 2009. Outside politics she has pursued careers in health care, journalism and public relations.Sattler was originally elected in 1998, having defeated incumbent Ivan Martin Ivan of Akiak in the Democratic primary. Sattler appeared on the ballot in her first successful election under her maiden name, though she was at that point already married to Jonathan Kapsner. She was elected and reelected mostly without or with only minimal opposition, with Ivans return to challenge her in the 2002 primary the closest contest she faced.She served on various standing committees in the Alaska State House, including Finance, Resources and Health and Social Services. Special committee work included Fisheries, Education and Regulatory Review. Budget Subcommittees included: Corrections, Courts and Public Safety. Most notably, Mary successfully coalesced the then defunct Bush Caucus, a non-partisan caucus of Representatives and Senators who represent rural and off-road communities in Alaska. She was Chair of the Bush Caucus for eight years. Mary successfully sponsored legislation relating to school safety, fisheries, inhalant abuse and judicial districts. Rural school construction, and requiring Alaska history curriculum for high school graduation were among many issues she championed.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. In 2016 she married Gene Peltola, Jr. and she now goes by the name Mary Sattler Peltola.Since leaving the House, she worked as Manager of Community Development and Sustainability for Donlin Gold Donlin Creek Mine. Sattler was elected to the Bethel city council in 2011 as a successful advocate of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Fitness Center, and served until her term ended in 2013. Mary is now the sole proprietor of Sattler Strategies, a consulting business based in Bethel, Alaska. Mary is the mother of four children; Conrad and Van Kapsner and Job and Nora Nelson; she has three step children; Eugene, Trevor and Kaeli Peltola.

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