General Election Candidates — U.S. Representative (Two-year term)
What are the top three concerns regarding Alaska and what do you propose should be done about them?
Don Young
Republican • Anchorage
Anyone who knows me knows that my tenacity and commitment to serving Alaskans – all Alaskans – is my best asset. I am often asked why I still want to be the Congressman for all Alaska and the answer is simple - my motivation today is as strong as it was four decades ago when I first ran for Congress. I want to continue fighting for Alaska and make this state a better place for all Alaskans.
Over the years we have achieved many accomplishments together. The construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, protecting our vital fishing industry and ensuring that our seniors have access to affordable health care, to name a few. I believe we are at a critical point. We have a President who is hell-bent on locking up Alaska through over-regulation and stopping or delaying almost all resource development. Alaska’s infrastructure is still lacking in many areas and outsiders increasingly attack the programs and funding that I’ve fought hard for and created as a member of your Congressional Delegation. These are three of the most significant issues facing us and I want to continue to deliver for Alaska.
If elected, I plan to once again, go back to Washington D.C. and do what I’ve always done – stand up for what’s right and fight on behalf of Alaska. This means holding federal agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Park Service accountable when they attack Alaska’s economy and Alaskans’ right to use our land. The federal government has grown far too big and far too bureaucratic. Quite frankly, most federal agencies have lost sight of who they serve – the American people.
As you know, Alaska is not a one-size-fits-all state and throughout my career I have strived to represent not just one region, but the entire state of Alaska. Whether it’s securing funding for Alaska’s infrastructure, defending our funding from outside attacks, or continuing to fight for the development of Alaska’s natural resources – my number one priority has always been to stand up for Alaska.
There is no doubt in my mind that this administration’s policies are to blame for America’s staggering unemployment rate, skyrocketing deficits and outrageously high gas prices. As Alaska’s lone Congressman for 40 years, I have been your voice in the U.S. House of Representatives and with your support this fall, I look forward to continuing to work on behalf of Alaska.
As you head to the voting booth this fall, keep in mind that Alaska has only one Member of the U.S. House of Representatives. That fact makes it all the more important that our state has someone experienced serving them in the House who can go toe-to-toe with other delegations, many of which have many more members. With the continued support and encouragement of Alaskans, we can continue to move Alaska forward.
Jim McDermott
Libertarian • Fairbanks
1. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA): This Act scares the heck out of me & I feel that our DC representatives have let us down. Under NDAA, as a U.S. citizens I can be arrested on American soil and detained indefinitely without right to trial. Have you had enough yet of the two status quo Parties? D. Young (AK), from my research of voting records, voted “Yea” for the NDAA, and didn’t stand up for our rights guaranteed by the constitution. Why not? As for me, I stand with Ben Franklin who warned us that if we give up our freedom for security that in the end we will have neither. Folks, as written I would not support the NDAA law but instead I would fight for your rights for “Personal Liberty”.
2. Our national debt is now positioned to far surpass $16 trillion resulting in the taxpayers being forced to pay $225,000,000,000.00 to just cover the interest on this colossal debt over a one year period and only going to increase if we don’t take actions to balance our national budget. Think about our national quarter of a trillion dollar plus interest rate payment for many years to come, and for me that’s an unacceptable way to manage the economics of our nation. Don Young has been a part of the Washington DC budget busters & reckless spenders for 40 years. Had enough of the status quo yet? If so, please consider this AK Libertarian, small business counselor, university business instructor, and leader with over 22 years of US Air Force experience; together with a determination to ensure balance budgets & positive cash flows. A nation once again with an entrepreneurial culture is far better than a nation infested with crony capitalism leading to an erosion to our quality of life as a nation. I will support a nation of producers versus a nanny state nation. Live free!
3. The writer of the book “The Art of War” tells the reader to defeat your enemy... you are wise to defeat them from within. The present career politicians like Mr. Young have produced a nation where we face off against each other resulting in a nation which is defeating itself from within. I fear for our nation and for all people who are decent and caring. As a private citizen running for office I don’t believe our most dangerous enemy are the Iran extremism, Afghan insurgents, etc... no I believe our greatest enemy are those who tear us apart as a Nation from within. I believe that our present career politicians employ powerful and effective smokescreens blinding us from what is actually happening within our own nation. As a AK Libertarian, retired military veteran, university professor, etc.. ., and your candidate for the US Congress; I will work with Alaskans and my colleagues to once again help united this great country.
Sharon Cissna
Democrat • Anchorage
#1 Alaska needs to have a knowledgeable, experienced Alaska Representative sent to fill Alaska’s only U.S. House seat. To maximize the Constitutional requirements, the Representative we send to Congress must have an understanding of and commitment to win the necessities required by Alaska’s diverse peoples and communities. Appropriate federal fiscal attention to current Alaskan challenges necessitates a Representative with up-to-date experience in the private sector, government, and with social leadership relationships throughout the state. Alaska’s growing security and arctic environmental change places significant pressure on the north and western coastal regions of Alaska because of new and increasing global transport traffic impact. The opening of this passage promises significant stress as well as opportunities on all nearby coastal industry as well as those living along the states’ western waterfront. This sudden change will add to critical responsibilities by a Representative in addition to the state’s larger population center needs. Throughout Alaska, communities are being crippled by the nation’s highest fuel costs. Those closest to upcoming global traffic impacts have the greatest oil and gas costs, third-world sanitation, as well as inadequate school curricula for each area’s life-style and unique resource development potential. Most damaging for these locations is development over many decades of the State and Federally supplied energy systems dependent on the most expensive fuel source. These handicaps, and failed governmental social programs weaken the imperative family, community and regional strength needed for the Alaskan populations at the arctic and northwestern border of the United States. Current news sources mention global counter-terrorism money is poorly spent as strategic security for this border, yet security and preparation are a vital requirement.
#2 A state plan must be created by working within each of the layers of government, private sector and community members. Alaskan’s role as the only arctic state in the U.S ., and the sudden alterations that have occurred within fisheries, northern ice melt, changes in the water-table, steady increasing costs of fuel throughout Alaska, with dependence on the most expensive fuel (diesel) in rural Alaska and other challenges put Alaskans in a fragile role at the same time International pressure will be placed on the people, communities, and economic/security concerns in the Arctic Ocean, Bering Sea, Bristol Bay and Pacific Ocean.
#3 Ethical, credible representation is required with the ability to work effectively within the gridlock environment present in the Capitol. This current U.S. budget crisis is a threat to the fiscal ability as well as the economic and social expertise required for federal assistance to Alaska. The sole Representative from Alaska must own and meet the responsibilities that go with holding that only seat:
* Demonstrating respect for the law-abiding/ethical behavior of Alaskan leaders,
* Administering these requirements of Congressional work in a admirable and effective leadership contribution that meets Congressional requirements,
* Adequately provide oversight, prudent fiscal management, and;
* Completing the work of Congress within the time requirements provided by law.
My resume demonstrates 45 years of preparation and experience for this position.
Sharon Cissna, 907-244-0522
Ted Gianoutsos
Non-Affiliated • Anchorage
I am running for Congress for only one term to open ANWR worth two trillion dollars with my proposed N.E.W. –ANWR legislation in the best and most beneficial way for America, Alaska, and wildlife with the creation of a 100 billion dollar U.S. Treasury-based National Endowment for Wildlife (N.E.W.) that will fund wildlife and wilderness conservation in Alaska and throughout America forever more. My wife Francoise and I are the only couple in U.S. history to get an entire generic wildlife act, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), through a divided Congress to unanimous passage with 60 co-sponsors, including 22 chairmen and the leadership of both parties because we personified the legislation. We personify my proposed N.E.W.-ANWR legislation in the same way that we did our NFWF legislation and will succeed where Don Young has failed 12 times in the past 18 years to open ANWR. We are both founding members of the Alaska SeaLife Center and are working on establishing a Kenai Salmon Center. Please see my website at www.tedandfran.com and its associated Ted’s blog for further details on my campaign. My N.E.W.-ANWR legislation is good for America, good for Alaska, and good for wildlife. It will provide two trillion dollars of oil money for our country, our state, and wildlife. Obviously, it will also provide billions of barrels of Alaska oil, and trillions of cubic feet of Alaska gas that will help fuel our freedom, national security, economy, and American pursuit of happiness. Don Young has been in Congress much too long and has failed far too many times. ELECTED, YOU WIN!