Ben Carpenter

Benjamin E. Carpenter was born around 1975 in Omak, Washington. He is a registered Republican who resides in Nikiski, Alaska, on the northern Kenai Peninsula. Carpenter is married and has four children and three grandchildren. He and his spouse operate a commercial peony farm in Nikiski and lead a farmer's cooperative.

Education and Military Service

Carpenter served in the Utah Army National Guard through ROTC from 2003 to 2004, achieving the rank of Cadet/E-5. He then served in the U.S. Army from 2004 to 2013 and in the Alaska Army National Guard from 2013 to 2018, retiring with the rank of Major after 21 years of military service. His service included deployments to the Middle East.

Political Experience

Carpenter has represented Alaska House District 8 since 2019, winning his initial election in November 2018 with a 68.8% majority. He previously served as Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee. He is also a member of the Alaska House Finance Committee and serves as Co-chair of the House Victims Advocate Selection Committee. Additionally, he serves as an ex-officio member of the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation Board of Directors.

In his legislative work, Carpenter has taken notable positions, including opposing Senate Bill 131 in 2022, which would have provided additional cancer protections for firefighters. He has also introduced legislation affecting state education funding mechanisms.