Here we go! An Alaskan political season like no other. If you stick with me for three minutes, I’ll tell you the good, the bad, and the ugly of this election cycle and my take on the candidates, specifically why I am supporting Shelley Hughes.
GOOD
— With 12+ serious candidates, you have your pick. Left to right, no experience to a lot, soundbites to theses. It’s all here.
— I hope that every person who cares about politics, the future of Alaska, or even just their kids, can find a candidate and a reason to get energized.
— Conservatives will have the largest politically active army EVER following this election cycle, IF we can work together.
— As we run out of other people’s money in Alaska, many critical issues will have to be decided. I am hoping they will be settled with less government, more land and liberty, and a whole lot more resources developed and money in your pocket.
BAD
— With lots of candidates, there may be some ‘bickering’. OK, there may be a lot of it. The key here is that we have a State to save and a future to live in, so we need to think of our children when we disagree. Disagreements are fine. Fighting in public… is politics.
— Political money will be spread pretty thin unless you have national funding, a sugar daddy, or you are a sugar daddy.
— Given the fact that there are several candidates with money, it will be somewhat hard to separate facts from fiction, or a clever retort from a solid plan.
UGLY
— Alaska is rapidly running out of savings. I think the Gov’s budget is $1.8 Billion, yes Billion, in the hole. We would spend 60% of our remaining savings to keep the government’s doors open.
— We are running out of students in public schools. This may seem fine for people who have a problem with kids learning the LGBTs and not their ABCs. However, the problem with running out of kids is that schools are not meant to shrink. Ever. If you need another classroom for 4th graders, that works itself out. If you need one classroom less, that doesn’t work itself out. Not easily.
— As we rapidly approach the end of the PFD era in Alaska (put your PFD up against education, or welfare, or healthcare, or police, and guess who wins the legislative fight?), legislators aren’t just going to agree to stop spending more. We are going to have to find strong politicians who “Know how to NO.” Legislators like this aren’t easy to find, any more than closing some schools to keep the others full is easy.
GET TO THE POINT, BIEGEL
Alright, I’ve worked with and spoken to Senator Hughes on many issues over her 12 years in the State Legislature. She was always on my side, or I was on her side when she was already leading. From life to education to budget to COVID, she was my most trusted and helpful resource – a conservative champion. A “flaw” of mine is that I don’t have neutral gear – not when Alaska is at the crossroads, and Shelley earned my vote, trust, and my time.
Faced with the fact that one candidate knows Alaska better, has given more politically than any other, and that I know her history and heart for this State, I must stand. And so, I do. I stand and say:
“Go, Shelley! Give ’em Hell, and let’s run a good race together. For resources, for roads, for lands in Alaskans’ hands, for energy, for good-paying jobs, for no income tax, and for right-sized government. Because Shelley Hughes has continually proven herself for 12 years, I’m ALL IN!”
The views expressed here are those of the author.
14 Comments
“……. I think the Gov’s budget is $1.8 Billion, yes Billion, in the hole……….”
His proposed budget includes a $3,892 dividend. That amounts to $2.88 billion, so there’s the $1.8 billion hole with $1.08 billion to spare. (That $1.08 billion would amount to @ $1460 dividend……a handsome negative tax to anybody else on Earth, except a spoiled, entitled Alaskan). It appears that the governor intends to give the end of the PFD era reality to the Legislature to take the beating for, and that’s wise and fair. Bill Wielechowski tried to hand it to the Supreme Court, and they handed it right back with an anchor tied to it.
Time for the Legislature to do its job…………..
Yep! You are on track!! Worst of the budget failures with good ole Shelley right there saying yes to Crime Boss Dunleavy’s Spend Baby Spend! and every time he raised the budget, good ole Shelly raised her hand and said Yes! Frankly, when you fantisize about The Good, Bad and the Ugly, I prefer Clint Eastwood because he belongs in the fantasy of Hollywood. I was glad to see Shelly resigned. This state has need of people who work ethically and with a purpose. Shelly never did!! That is a fact.
What’s wrong with Burnadette. I think she is at least as good as Shelly and with Mike Shower as Lt gov. Tha would be a powerful team.
Shelley Hughes has a solid track record in the legislature and has vast experience working across the aisle to get things done. She deeply cares about the state and its future. She has grandchildren living in Alaska counting on her leadership to make the state a great place to have a healthy, safe childhood. Bernadette doesn’t have the experience or skills to guide Alaskans through one of its toughest financial crisis situations in state history.
Glen, you got it right! So far, she is the best in the field!
Read your article and didn’t find one reason to vote for Shelly other than your saying to, You want my vote tell me the issues and her stance on them, what she has done in her 12 years otherwise this is just a fluff piece with one person’s opinion.
Pat, you have called a spade where you see it , thank you! None have registered but one ”
GOVERNOR / LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
Candidate Name on Ballot Campaign Address Contact Election Pamphlet Information
Kroll, Henry F. “Hank” (Registered Republican) / Nicholson, Tommy R. III (Undeclared)(Certified)
26571 Heavy Down Dr. Soldotna, AK 99669
(907) 740-0386 Email: hankkroll@gmail.comWebsite: http://www.hankkroll.com ”
current evidence with Div. of Elections with a Full Ballot. Is he in full campaign mode? Call him . Who is a real candidate’s ,as it may be ! I am still waiting for any more real statesman / stateswoman ? No Bias here, bring it on Alaskans, Liberty Ed Martin Jr
Agreed Pat. While we now know who Glen is pulling for he didn’t lay out any earth shattering qualifications. Duration of tenure in Juneau isn’t a qualification unfortunately. Quite possibly the opposite.
Agreed, Glen. Shelley is the best by a long shot. Not a blow-hard chest thumper like some of her rivals, she is the most intelligent and strategic of the bunch. There’s a reason Giesel and the Southeast crew marginalized her during the various budget fights. Prolific legislator, VERY hard working, and incredibly transparent in how she works.
Hughes is fake covered with makeup!
I think you like her!
Makeup & all.
Glen, you are much better in the choir at church. Consider sticking with leading the choir because politics brings on much in different actors whose costumes in decision making schemes you are too nice to know. This one is a good example of that thought.
First, you God fearing conservatives-Alaskans. We need to stick together, remember the next election is still RCV which is cheating.
Just because you don’t like it, doesn’t make it cheating. And where’s all the outrage about Outside money this time around? You hypocrites couldn’t whine loudly enough last time about the pro-RCV campaign being bankrolled by out of state money. Now that the anti-RCV campaign is being paid for almost exclusively by Outside money, you’re all silent. What gives?