Full Name:
Les S. Gara
Gender:
Male
Family:
Wife: Kelly
Birth Date:
02/06/1963
Birth Place:
New York City, NY
Home City:
Anchorage, AK
Religion:
Jewish
JD, Harvard Law School, 1985-1988
BA, History, Boston University, 1985
Candidate, Governor of Alaska, 2022
Representative, Alaska State House of Representatives, District 20, 2015-2019
Representative, Alaska State House of Representatives, District 18, 2003-2015
Former Chair, Committee on Judiciary, Alaska State House of Representatives
Former Vice Chair, Finance Committee, Alaska State House of Representatives
Former Member, HB72 and HB73 Committee, Alaska State House of Representatives
Former Member, Minority Caucus Committee, Alaska State House of Representatives
Former Chair, Subcommittee on Health and Social Services, Alaska State House of Representatives
Former Member, Subcommittee on Law, Alaska State House of Representatives
Freelance Writer, LG Writing and Research, 2002-present
Owner, Les Gara Writing and Research, 2002-present
Restaurant Owner, Snow City Cafe, present
Law Firm Partner, Friedman, Rubin and White, 1996-2000
Attorney, 1991-1996
Assistant Attorney General, Exxon Valdez Litigation Section, State of Alaska, 1989-1991
Law Clerk, Alaska Supreme Court, Justice Jay Rabinowitz, 1988-1989
Life Member, Alaska Flyfishers Association, 1990-present
Volunteer, Alaskan Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome AIDS Assistance Association, present
Volunteer, Amnesty International, present
Volunteer, Big Brothers Big Sisters, present
Volunteer, Brother Francis Shelter, present
Volunteer, Camp Fire, present
Board Member, Alaska Public Interest Research Group, 1994-2002
Member, Fish for Cooper Creek Coalition, 1999-2002
Awards:
Bacbone 2 Award for Fixing Alaska's Oil Tax; 2006 Hugh Malone Co-Legislator of the Year Award; 2004 Defender of Democracy Award for promoting open, ethical government.
Current Car:
Ford Explorer
Date of Wedding Anniversary:
June 30, 1990
Father's Name:
Selim
Father's Occupation:
Family Physician
Favorite Actor/Actress:
John Stewart
Favorite Athlete:
Roberto Clemente
Favorite Author:
John Steinbeck
Favorite Book:
John Adams, Slaughterhouse 5, Steinbeck's Grapes and Moon is Down
Favorite Color:
Purple
Favorite Food:
Various Middle Eastern
Favorite Movie:
Bowfinger, The Hangover, Pink Panther flicks
Favorite Musician:
Los Lobos
Favorite President and Why:
Franklin Roosevelt - He stood for a vision that every person deserves opportunity, regardless of whether one is born wealthy or poor.
Favorite Quote:
"We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Declaration of Independence.
Favorite Sport:
Baseball
Favorite TV Shows:
Seinfeld, Daily Show, Arrested Development; Red Sox and Celtics games
Favorite Type of Music:
Rock
Favorite Vacation Spot:
Fishing Anywhere In the Wilderness
Favorite Websites:
ESPN
First Car:
Olds Starfire
First Job:
Maintenance, paper delivery in grade school.
Hobbies or Special Talents:
Fishing, Rafting, Hiking, Fly Tying, Write on Alaska Fishing/Outdoors
Mother's Name:
Rachel
Mother's Occupation:
Mother, Clothing Factory Worker
Name one thing you would most like to do before you die:
Help Create Opportunity for People Who Want to Succeed and Need Help.
Number of Grandchildren:
None
Person Most Want to Meet (Dead or Alive):
Martin Luther King
Personal Hero and Why:
Martin Luther King - He devoted his life to standing up for others.
Pets (include names):
Lenny & Kato
Priority Issues:
Work to help create opportunity for all, better public schools, a stronger university, and to adopt a stronger energy plan that focuses on cost-effective renewable energy; work to protect our fishing waters, and recreational areas.
Publications:
Various Magazine Articles, Most recently July Alasaka Magazine Fishing Article.
Reason for Seeking Public Office:
To help people achieve greater opportunity, and promote open, fair government, and the public interest over special interests.
Spouse's Occupation:
Physical Therapist