Preceded by Max Gruenberg Spouse(s) Troy Bowler Children Iris, Kim, Maya | Political party Democratic Relations Ann Spohnholz (mother) Party Democratic Party | |
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Born January 17, 1973
Nabesna, Alaska ( 1973-01-17 ) Alma mater University of Washington (B.A.)
University of Washington (E.M.P.A.) Residence Anchorage, Alaska, United States Education Daniel J. Evans School of Public Policy and Governance, University of Washington | ||
Ivy Spohnholz (born January 7, 1973) is a Democratic member of the Alaska House of Representatives, serving the 16th district. She has served since March 10, 2016, after being appointed by Governor Bill Walker to fill the vacancy caused by the death of longtime Representative Max Gruenberg on February 14, 2016. She was elected to a full term on November 8, 2016, with 51.52% of the vote, a 10 point margin over Republican Don Hadley.
Early life
Ivy was born in 1973 in the tiny community of Nabesna, Alaska, near Slana, Alaska, and raised in Anchorage.
A graduate of Stellar High, in Anchorage, she received a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science in 1997, and a Masters of Public Administration in 2014, both from the University of Washington.
Prior to her appointment to the Alaska House of Representatives, she was Director of Development for The Salvation Army in Alaska.
Ivy's mother, Ann Spohnholz (b. April 18,1950), was appointed by Governor Steve Cowper to temporarily hold seat 13a in the Alaska House, while a disputed close election between Democrat David Finkelstein and incumbent Brad Bradley, was done over. She held the office from January 1989 to April 1989, when Finkelstein was elected. In 1990, she ran against seat 13b incumbent, Terry Martin, who won his 7th of 10 House terms by only 25 votes. In 1996, she won the open primary for seat 21 by one vote over Sharon Cissna, but was defeated by Republican Joe Ryan, who took 47.82%, by 23 votes. Cissna beat Ryan two years later.