By CRAIG CAMPBELL
Elections have consequences. Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) created an election process designed to reduce political party influence, but it also has taken away the premise of “one person, one vote.” That was intentional, as RCV is intended to elect “consensus” candidates, not necessarily the voter majority preferred candidate.
In Alaska, Democrats have been slick at reducing the number of Democrats running against each other, while Republicans often have multiple Republicans in any race. That was clearly seen in yesterday’s elections. Even more challenging is having multiple Republicans in a race where one is actually favored and supported by Democrats.
Incumbents have a higher probability of winning re-election due to name recognition and support from special interest groups. Thus, for a challenger to beat an incumbent, there must be a unified campaign with a consistent message that informs the voters of the stark differences between the incumbent and the challenger. RCV also gives the incumbent a tremendous advantage when there are multiple challengers from the same political party.
Such is the case in Senate District L, where incumbent Kelly Merrick may face two other Republicans.
While registered as a Republican, Merrick has gained most of her support from labor unions, special interest groups, and Democrats. In her elected career, she has consistently joined coalitions with Democrats. She is one of eight Senate Republicans who organized with all nine Democrats this past 33rd legislative session to form a coalition despite the fact that the Senate had a Republican numerical majority of eleven.
In doing so, those eight Republicans turned their backs on three Republicans to give significant control of the Senate to Democrats. This is a pattern she learned while serving in the State House, where she joined Democrat controlled coalitions, despite telling voters she would not.
Senate District L is one of the most conservative districts in Anchorage. It should be represented by a Republican who will stand with Republicans to form Republican controlled majorities. If Eagle River/Chugiak wants to see a Republican Senate majority next year, we must elect an actual Republican to replace Merrick.
Based on yesterday’s preliminary results the only Republican who can defeat Merrick in November is Jared Goecker. But to do this, Ken McCarty must withdraw from the race and endorse Jared Goecker. I know Ken, he is a solid Republican who served our area well in the State House.
I also know Sharon Jackson, who is a proud military veteran and also served us well in the State House. If both Ken and Sharon join the Goecker team, Jared can beat Merrick in November. Jared is a solid Republican who is committed to only joining a Republican majority, led by Republicans. He will not coop his principles by joining with a coalition numerically controlled by Democrats, unlike our current senator.
Let’s take back control of the Senate. Let’s replace Merrick with Jared Goecker.
Ken, Sharon, this is the time for statesmanship and a consolidated effort to secure Senate District L with a Senator who represents our conservative political principles. Now is the time for them to withdraw and publicly endorse Jared. We can do this, but only with a united Republican campaign supporting the strongest challenger, and that candidate is Jared Goecker.
Craig E. Campbell served on the Anchorage Assembly between 1986 and 1995 and later as Alaska’s Tenth Lieutenant Governor. He was the previous Chief Executive Officer and President for Alaska Aerospace Corporation. He retired from the Alaska National Guard as Lieutenant General (AKNG) and holds the concurrent retired Federal rank of Major General (USAF).
