Mike Cronk

Representing the Greater Interior Alaska

Member News more >

To Improve Alaska Education, We Need Reform and Sustainable Funding

Financial support for schools is only rhetoric if it’s not paired with action that will hold. We urge those who are serious about helping our students to embrace policy reforms and a sustainable increase to the BSA. Full Story >>

NEA-Alaska’s Odd Unmasking of its Real Agenda

For perhaps the first time in recent memory, the NEA has proudly demonstrated their allegiance and displayed the truth: The committee substitute read like a blueprint of NEA-Alaska’s long-standing priorities, crafted not for the benefit of all Alaska students, but for the preservation of control... Full Story >>

Back to Square One for Education

Today Governor Mike Dunleavy announced his veto the $1,000 BSA increase– while also introducing an education bill with a $700 funding increase and an emphasis on policy reform. Full Story >>

Personal Profile

Mike Cronk

District R, Republican

I'm the son of a Vietnam-era Air Force veteran. After returning from Vietnam in 1970, my father was stationed at Elmendorf AFB. My family fell in love with Alaska and after my father's military retirement, all eight of us moved from Anchorage to Northway, Alaska in 1978, when I was in the 4th grade.

In Northway, I grew up absorbing the traditional rural lifestyle. This is where I developed my love and respect for people and the land. I learned to be patient and listen, live conservatively, and work together toward self-sufficiency by hunting, fishing, trapping, gardening, food preservation, and utilizing natural resources like timber for home heating.

I attended Walter Northway School and graduated as the Valedictorian of my class in 1987. An opportunity for a scholarship to play basketball and get my education at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks presented itself, and I took it. I graduated in 1992 and returned home to Walter Northway School with my teaching degree in hand, becoming a Kindergarten/1st grade classroom teacher. After 14 years in Northway, I accepted a middle school job teaching math and science in Tok, AK and retired in 2017 after 25 years of teaching.

I'm the very proud father of four amazing daughters, who are Upper Tanana Athabascans and Doyon shareholders. My girls all hold a love for hunting, fishing, trapping, their elders, and their Native culture. I have been blessed to have gained four son-in-laws and four beautiful grandchildren.

I know from playing/coaching/refereeing basketball, contributing to teacher work groups, and serving on a governance body, better results come from communication and collaboration with others. For 25 years I served on the Upper Tanana/40 Mile Advisory Committee, and with my peers created hunting, fishing, and trapping regulations to best balance the ecology of our region. I served as a teacher advisor to the Alaska Gateway School District Regional School Board for about five years and after retirement was publicly elected to serve as a board member in November of 2018. These experiences continue to reaffirm the value of teamwork because in the end, we are all on Team Alaska.

I have lived in Alaska for 54 years, 46 in the Upper Tanana area, I've travelled to many of our rural towns across District R and have met, and became friends with many people. Through these travels, I have a first-hand knowledge of the diversity and the differing needs of the people and communities of District R. Having travelled to countries as diverse as Czechoslovakia, Namibia, Mexico, and Canada as well as many of our lower 48 states, I was able to "look" outside of Alaska and gain experience that allows me to understand the role Alaska currently plays in the world and in the future.

I believe all Alaskans can come together and make those conservative, fiscally responsible decisions that are required for a successful future.

Previously, I served as the State House Representative for District 36. I have been part of Republican-led majority and minority caucuses who fought for the PFD, fiscally responsible budgets, and to preserve your essential liberties and freedoms. I have immersed myself into as many committees as I could, and have served on the Finance, Resources, Education, Transportation, and Tribal Affairs Committees. It has been an incredible learning experience and an honor serving the people of District R and Alaska.

As we return for the 34th Alaska Legislature, my promise to you is that I will represent you with honor and integrity and will ALWAYS fight for the people, first and foremost.

Juneau: 907-465-4527
Fairbanks: 907-456-8161
Tok: 907-465-4527