Bill Hill has fished Bristol Bay his whole life. Running for Congress won’t change that.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 3, 2026
While most congressional candidates spend early July raising money and shaking hands, Bill Hill will spend the next week harvesting salmon in Bristol Bay, the same work he’s done every summer since he was a kid. Growing up in a fishing family, Bill learned to set-net from his mom at eight and drift-net from his dad at 12. He hasn’t missed a season in Bristol Bay since. Today, Hill owns and operates the F/V Vellamo, the boat he fishes each season in Bristol Bay.
Hill’s campaign will continue operating during this week, and Bill will be available for media interviews from the boat through July 8, as fishing schedules permit. On June 30, the Hill campaign held a virtual fundraiser from the Vellamo. It can be watched here.
”For me, being with my family, working together on the boat and fishing, it’s one of the most meaningful things in my life. And it’s how I pay the bills,” said Bill Hill. “We need representation that understands what makes Alaska an incredible place to live, and who understands what it means to work for a living. Congress needs more people who work with their hands and depend on a good fishing season to support their families.”
“My experience as a commercial fisherman shapes my commitment to protecting Alaska’s fisheries, supporting working families, and ensuring future generations can continue making a living on the water,” added Bill Hill.
The Bristol Bay region has been home to subsistence salmon fishing for thousands of years. It is the largest sockeye salmon run in the world. Today, that fishery supports thousands of small businesses. Last year, the Bristol Bay fleet caught over 40 million salmon, supporting an industry worth more than $2 billion and more than 15,000 jobs. This season, Bill will fish with a crew that includes his brother, nephew, and son-in-law.
On July 9, Hill will return to the campaign trail after a week of salmon fishing in Bristol Bay, continuing a tradition that has shaped his life, supported his family, and remains at the heart of why he is running for Congress.
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Media Contact: Kevin Groh, Campaign Manager
951-203-2287, kevin@billhillforalaskans.com
Paid for by Bill Hill for Alaskans