Patti Higgins has been the Chair of the Alaska Democratic Party since July 2007. She has been active in political campaigns since 1993 after winning a seat on the Anchorage School Board. Patti was then the successful campaign manager for Melinda Taylor for Assembly, 1998 and has volunteered on numerous other campaigns. Other offices held include Vice-Chair of Alaska Democratic Party; Delegate to 2000 and 2008 National Conventions; Resolutions Chair for 2000 Alaska State Convention; Chair of District 30 and the former District 19; Past Co-Chair of Bartlett Democratic Club.

Within the broader community Patti is Past President of Alaska Women's Political Caucus, Past Vice-President of PTA council, Past Chair of Denali Montessori Advisory Committee, Past President of Wendler PTA and former Board Member of Planned Parenthood. She is the treasurer for the Abbott Loop Community Council.

Born in Fort Bragg, NC, Patti toured much of the United States following the many transfers of her army pilot father and her PTA mom. Captain Spencer was the 1st person to land a chopper on an Alaskan glacier and was in Alaska Magazine 1959; Alaska Bear Tales; and National Geographic. Her mother was a dynamite curling competitor at Government Hill in the early days.

Patti is a 1987 graduate of the University of Alaska, Anchorage. She has been a Realtor® with Prudential Jack White Vista since 1999 and has a very successful practice with her partner/daughter Rachael Lalki. Before Patti's term on the School Board she worked as a substitute high school science teacher and with the elementary Montessori program. During college she worked for the U. S. Geological Survey while majoring in geology and sampled many lakes dead from acid rain while at the same time hearing from then President Reagan that there was no such thing as acid rain. After the Exxon Valdez oil spill Patti worked for GenWest and NOAA helping track the oil spill.

Patti has been married to Patrick, her high school soul mate for 32 years. Patrick is a Human Resources Director and is currently serving on the Anchorage School Board. They have three adult children: Gavin, 30; Rachael, 28; and Tara, 25. They are members of Congregation Beth Sholom.