Ann Spohnholz
Mary Ann Spohnholz (April 18, 1950 – June 9, 2024) was an American educator, feminist, and politician who served as a member of the Alaska House of Representatives from January 9, 1989, until April 12 of that same year.[1] She was appointed by Governor Steve Cowper to fill a vacancy until a special election was held on April 5, 1989.[2] BiographySpohnholz was born in Northampton, Massachusetts, she attended Amhurst Regional High School before earning a degree from Alaska Pacific University.[3][4] Due to a vacancy being left in the 13th State House District, which covered Mountain View and East Anchorage, due to the need for a runoff, Spohnholz was appointed by Governor Steve Cowper to fill a vacancy until a special election was held on April 5, 1989.[2][4] She was succeeded by David Finkelstein.[1] She ran for a full term in the state house in the 1990 elections, but was defeated by Terry Martin by a margin of 25 votes.[5] In the 1996 Alaska State House of Representative elections, Spohnholz ran for the open 21st district. She defeated Sharon Cissna in the Democratic Primary by a margin of a single vote, but was defeated by Joe Ryan by only eleven votes.[6][7] In 2013, she earned a master's degree in English from the University of Alaska Anchorage and was a teacher briefly before her retirement.[8] Her daughter, Ivy Spohnholz was also a member of the Alaska State House. Spohnholz died on June 9, 2024, at the age of 74. Her funeral was held on June 16.[9] Governor Mike Dunleavy ordered the Alaska and United States flags to fly at half-staff on June 17.[2] References
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