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. She was appointed by Governor Steve Cowper to fill a vacancy until a special election was held on April 5, 1989.

Biography
Spohnholz was born in Northampton, Massachusetts, she attended Amhurst Regional High School before earning a degree from Alaska Pacific University. 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. She was succeeded by David Finkelstein.

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. 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.

In 2013, she earned a master's degree in English from the University of Alaska Anchorage and was a teacher briefly before her retirement. Her daughter, Ivy Spohnholz was also a member of the Alaska State House.

Spohnholz died on June 9, 2024, at the age of 74. As a result, governor Mike Dunleavy ordered the Alaska and United States flags to fly at half-staff on June 17, 2024. Her funeral was held the day before on June 16.