Hello, my name is Forrest Dunbar, and I represent District J, East Anchorage, in the State Senate.  I'm a lifelong Alaskan, originally from Eagle on the Yukon River and Cordova on Prince William Sound. My parents are both graduates of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and my sister attended West Valley High School. Growing up, I worked as a commercial fishing deckhand, cannery worker, and wildland firefighter, before eventually earning a law degree and a masters in public policy.

Before the Assembly, I was the Vice President of the Scenic Foothills Community Council in Southern Muldoon, and helped found the Muldoon Farmers Market. I am a commissioned officer in the Alaska Army National Guard, where I serve as a major, and helped write the Alaska Code of Military Justice. I am a member of the Alaska Bar Association, as well as Congregation Beth Sholom, and a board member with the Anchorage Park Foundation.

On the Assembly, where I’ve served since 2016, I've focused my efforts on jobs, quality of life, and public safety. I've partnered with my colleagues to significantly increase the size of the Anchorage Police Department, and voted for increased funding for the snow removal budget. My aide and I have responded to thousands of constituent emails and helped hundreds of residents navigate Municipal services. I've been active in fighting for funding for our district, working with Pete Petersen to get bond projects like upgrades to roads and drainage, improvements to Russian Jack Park, and increased funding for traffic calming. I have twice served as Chair of the Assembly as we passed balanced budgets, responded to the November 30th Earthquake, and completed authorization for the sale of ML&P.

I continue to fight for the people of Campbell Park, UMED, College Gate, Airport Heights, Mountainview, and Russian Jack in the State Senate. Coming from a local government perspective, I’ve seen how decisions at the State level impact us here at home: from cuts to School Bond Debt Reimbursement that raise our property taxes, to a tragically underfunded behavioral health system that often contributes to homelessness. I work to be a voice for those who cannot afford one and are often overlooked in the State Legislature– people like the working class folks I grew up with, and whose doors I have knocked and spoken with so many times on the Assembly. Thank you for reading and I hope to hear from you!