Lower Kenai Peninsula Republicans aren’t interested in having current State Rep. Louise Stutes represent them in the Alaska State Senate.
Instead, they’ve endorsed former Homer City Councilman Heath Smith, who is widely viewed as the conservative Republican choice for Senate District C.
The Alaska Republican Party’s District 6 leaders unanimously backed Heath.
“District 6 continues to support Republican candidates for office that conform to the operating principles of the Alaska Republican Party,” District 6 Chair George Hall noted on June 11. “Heath has extensive experience and a strong record of years of public service and strong adherence to party principles, including economic prosperity, family values, educational excellence, limited government and the rule of law.”
Heath is running as a clear alternative to Louise Stutes, who has built a reputation as a “RINO” Republican who abandons GOP priorities in order to caucus with and empower Democrats in the Alaska Legislature.
The District C Senate seat is open due to the impending retirement of Sen. Gary Stevens, also known for caucusing with Democrats and marginalizing conservative Republicans. Stevens is supporting Stutes to take his place.
