The Trans-Alaska Pipeline crosses the Tanana River with cable stays near Delta Junction. Photographed May 14, 2020.
I was part of the state Senate bipartisan majority when I introduced critical legislation that laid the groundwork for SB21 — notably, the Gross Value Reduction. I worked across party lines to build support for these necessary changes, emphasizing the need to balance new development incentives with economic stabilization.
This experience highlights why I agreed to chair the No on 2 campaign to protect the open primary and ranked choice voting system. I’m passionate about it because I remember what governing was like before this system; when well-meaning lawmakers who just wanted to do the right thing were threatened with removal if they worked with what some considered to be the wrong people.
Alaskans reject labels. We are not merely oil workers or environmentalists, nor are we strictly Republicans or Democrats. Instead, we embrace our complexity and independence. Our unique voting system reflects this ethos by allowing us to vote for the candidate who best represents our diverse interests, rather than being limited by party affiliations.