Primary Election Candidates - State Senators & Representatives
Election 2012
On the Ballot
Alaska Republican Party
Senate District S
No candidate
Senate District R
Gary Stevens (R)
State Representative District 36
Carl Morgan (R)
State Representative District 37
No candidates on the primary ballot.
State Representative District 38
Alan Dick (R)
Alaska Democratic Party
Alaska Libertarian Party
Alaska Independence Party
Senate District S
Lyman Hoffman (D)
Senate District R
Robert Henrichs (D)
State Representative District 36
Bryce Edgmon (D)
State Representative District 37
Bob Herron (D)
State Representative District 38
David Guttenberg (D)
How do you plan to serve the people of your district?
Bryce Edgmon
House District 36 • Democrat • Dillingham
As member of the House Finance Committee the past two years I worked hard to make sure the needs of rural Alaska got met. I will continue in the same manner on behalf of the YK region communities that are in the new district I hope to represent.
Keeping pace with rising cost of goods and services is becoming more of a challenge by the year for Bush Alaska. A big part of it is fuel prices. We need long-term solutions that can benefit the entire state, such as a natural gas pipeline. However, in the short term, we also need to make sure our communities get the relief they need to survive. That’s why I support expanding the PCE program and maintaining strong funding for programs like Weatherization, Home Heating Assistance, and the Renewable Energy Grant Fund.
Sustaining our communities also means protecting subsistence resources. The Department of Fish & Game must finally determine why King Salmon runs are declining and how to restore them. We need to make this issue becomes a statewide priority. I’ll work closely with AVCP and others to get the funding needed to tackle the problem in a way that produces answers.
Our future also depends on quality education for our children. Last session I supported a much-needed funding increase for our village schools, which struggle to accommodate the soaring cost of diesel along with other challenges that confront smaller school districts. I would like to continue to use my position on the Finance Committee to promote adequate K-12 funding for village schools.
The capital budget is extremely important to rural Alaska. Investments in basic infrastructure needs are vital for life, health and safety but also for increasing local economic development and jobs. Along with Senator Hoffman, Senator Stevens, and Representative Herron, I’ll push for every local project I can get squeezed into the budget.
We need to do everything possible to make sure our health providers have the resources to confront medical and social problems at the village level. My belief is that strong communities truly can make a difference. I will continue to support the Governor’s efforts to increase the VPSO program and end domestic violence.
During my six years in the legislature it has been a priority of mine to keep my constituents informed. Along with being available by phone and email, every Friday during session I send out an e-newsletter with an update on all the major events that occur during the week. I will continue this type of outreach to the constituents of the new District 36.
I look forward to serving the many communities that make up the new House District 36 —from the banks of the Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers to the shores of Lake Illiamna, Cook Inlet, and Bristol Bay. With your support, I will continue serving in the legislature to champion first and foremost for the needs of rural Alaskans.
Bob Herron
House District 37 • Democrat • Bethel
In my four years serving you in the Alaska State House, I have always strived to work for the best interests of the people of western Alaska.
Hand-in-hand with Senator Lyman Hoffman, Representative Bryce Edgmon of Dillingham, and others, we have marked many successes - improving infrastructure and services in our region, boosting communities’ life/health/safety resources, improving educational opportunities, preserving our traditional cultures, and supporting programs to reduce energy costs and protect our resources.
Let me share examples of legislation that we have successfully advocated that I truly believe will benefit western Alaskans that have become law this past year:
On the health front, House Bill 78 strengthens Alaska’s health workforce, by creating a loan repayment and direct incentive program to help bring 10 different types of health providers to our communities. The program is designed to attract and retain the caregivers we need and HB 310 continues the successful Alaska Immunization Program, replacing declining Federal funds, while the State works to create a long-term public/private partnership to keep our families healthy.
To increase affordable housing opportunities for our elders, HB 65 makes regional housing authorities eligible to compete for grants through AHFC’s Senior Citizens Housing Development Fund. Alaska’s 14 RHAs are among the state’s most experienced developers of quality affordable housing.
To protect and revitalize traditional cultures, the Alaska Legislature established a Alaska Native Language Preservation & Advisory Council to assess languages, re-evaluate programs, and craft preservation strategies.
Energy costs is a crisis in rural communities. HB 250 extends the Renewable Energy Grant Fund for 10 years, investing up to $50 million each year in small energy projects; this program is key to bringing affordable energy to Rural Alaska. HB 196 eases the workload for communities applying to the Bulk Fuel Revolving Loan Fund - moving the fund into the Division of Community & Regional Affairs, where the Bulk Fuel Bridge Loan Program is already housed.
Explaining the incredible challenges of delivering education in rural Alaska to my fellow policymakers, and understanding our needs and expectations, is a constant and continuing effort. In the state’s budget over the last four years, we have seen major renovation and new school construction projects have been funded in many of our communities: Kipnuk, Koliganek, Kwigillingok, Napaskiak, Quinhagak, and others.
We have also increased funding for the VPSO program, allowing for VPSOs in more communities, and giving them more support, and we will always continue to do so.
Through service on the past Alaska Northern Waters Task Force and my support for the creation of the Alaska Arctic Policy Commission in 2012, I will tirelessly advocate for western Alaska on coastal and arctic matters that must positively impact our families and daily lives.
Carl M. Morgan Jr.
House District 36 • Republican • Aniak
With the greatest respect and honesty, I would serve my people the way I want to be served. With my past six years of experience being a legislature for District 36 and District 6, I have a record of serving the districts as if it were my own home.
With the vast wealth of our great state, we have opportunities like no other. Alaska must identify economic and resource potentials in the state. We need transportation corridors to access and support resource development. Pressing for and investing in alternative means of energy; such as natural gas and electrical interties, to bring affordable energy to residents and allow for industry in rural communities is a priority. We need to promote and support advanced job training programs and create a strong Alaska workforce.
Education is and always will be my priority; we must gain full funding for all our rural school districts. By full funding I mean actual costs of energy and logistics because the high cost of living in Alaska is higher than any other state and especially higher than urban Alaska.
Alaska’s food sources need to be respected and protected. Fisheries are important to our survival. If elected, I will work the Administration and colleagues to address the economic impact of this continuing fish disaster.
When I was serving my districts in Juneau, I held the following positions: House of Representatives, 1998 to 2004: chair and co-chair, Community & Regional Affairs; member, Rules Committee; member, House Special Committee on Economic Development, Trade and Tourism; Budget Subcommittee; Community and Economic Development; Transportation and Public Facilities; Energy Council.
My commitment to Subsistence is and remains: “Subsistence yesterday, subsistence today and subsistence tomorrow.”
Use your right to vote. Thank you very much.
David Guttenberg
House District 38 • Democrat • Fairbanks
After ten years of representing Alaskans in the House, one of the best hints about how I do my job is my daily calendar. My door is always open to my constituents, and my appointment schedule shows it. I get to see carpenters, contractors, and city council members, truck drivers, trappers, and teachers, Borough assembly members, miners, mayors, and Moms.
What you won’t see on my calendar are lots of appointments with high-powered lobbyists. Don’t get me wrong – there are plenty of lobbyists who arrange meetings for constituents to spend some time with me, and I appreciate that. But the big money guys have learned they don’t have any special standing. I listen to my constituents, not corporations. Alaskans have always been my top priority.
And I’ve learned a lot over the years by keeping quiet and listening to the people I represent.
One of the most important things I’ve learned is how alike we are. It doesn’t matter if you live in a rural Alaska village or a major Alaska urban center. We all want the same things: good jobs; affordable energy; top-notch education for our kids; safe, healthy communities; clean air and water; and reasons to have hope for the future. I have never forgotten that.
I’m a Democrat. I’ve always looked out for working people, veterans, women, and kids. If you want to confirm that, check my voting record. I don’t vote according to party ideology or according to some pledge to House leadership. I vote for my constituents.