By ROD ARNO | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA OUTDOOR COUNCIL
Alaskans’ opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities and harvest a wildfood source on public lands/waters for now and well into the future will depend on you getting out to vote.
Listed here are candidates that the Alaska Outdoor Council has experience working with and find worthy of your support at the polls Nov. 8, 2022. These candidates when elected, with your help, will work with the Alaska Outdoor Council to provide greater outdoor opportunities for all Alaskans.
Alaska U.S. House of Representative Seat
Alaska Outdoor Council sticks with Nick. Candidate Sarah Palin would find little support in the U.S. House to further our cause. Candidate Mary Peltola has a long history for advocating for tribal sovereignty over state management of fish and game granted to the State of Alaska at statehood.
The Alaska Outdoor Council endorsed candidate Nick Begich III for the lone U.S. House of Representatives seat from Alaska when Don Young was still in the race for reelection.
It took a lot of intestinal fortitude for Nick Begich to go up against Don Young, none of the other candidates vying to replace Congressman Young had the boldness to do that.
Nick Begich is well aware of Title VIII in the 1980 flawed federal law, the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) that divides Alaskans and is hindering resources development on 60% of Alaska controlled by the federal government. Nick will work for all Alaskans to insure subsistence needs are provided for while at the same time opportunities for regulated resource development can occur on federal lands.
Alaska U.S. Senate Seat
Alaska Outdoor Council endorses Kelly Tshibaka to replace Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who has allowed federal law to divide Alaskans based on where they live.
The urban/rural divide caused by Title VIII of ANILCA is not in Alaska’s best interest now or in the future. Kelly Tshibaka understands how the Feds have used Title VIII of ANILCA to takeover Alaska state management authority of fish and game on federal lands and thwart regulated resource development. Kelly Tshibaka will work to give all Alaskans an opportunity to access public federal lands/waters and benefit from the resources Alaska has to offer.
Alaska Governor’s Administration
Alaska Outdoor Council endorses the re-election of Gov. Mike Dunleavy.
Gov. Dunleavy has been true to his word regarding increasing outdoor opportunities for all Alaskans during his first term. Alaska Outdoor Council has witnessed a greater willingness of department commissioners (DNR, ADF&G, DCCED, DEC, DOL) to work together to conserve fish and game and increasing access opportunities on public lands and waters. Alaska Outdoor Council is confident that with another four years of Gov. Dunleavy’s leadership, Alaska’s outdoor folks will reap greater outdoor opportunities for years to come.
Alaska State Senate District D
Alaska Outdoor Council endorsed Tuckerman Babcock for State Senate prior to the May 25th announcement from Sen. Peter Micciche that he would not seek another term.
Alaska Outdoor Council’s position on state management of fisheries conflicted with Sen. Micciche and Alaska Outdoor Council was encouraging new representation from what was then Senate District O. Tuckerman Babcock is an outdoors person who has been very active within Alaska Outdoor Council and politically on the management and allocation of fish and game in Alaska for decades.
Alaska Outdoor Council endorsed Tuckerman early this spring to let Sen. Micciche know his position on federal fisheries management in Cook Inlet was inconsistent with Alaska Outdoor Council’s purpose of supporting state management.
Tuckerman Babcock’s knowledge of and support for Alaska Outdoor Council’s purposes will help give outdoor folks a strong leader in the Senate when legislation is introduced effecting access to public lands/waters and fish/game are up for vote in the State Senate and when negotiating with the State House for passage on to the Governor.
Alaska State House candidates for the 33rd Legislature
Alaska Outdoor Council recommends re-election for the following Alaska State House Representatives:
House District
Sarah Vance 6
Ron Gillham 7
Ben Carpenter 8
Laddie Shaw 9
Tom McKay 15
David Nelson 18
DeLena Johnson 25
Cathy Tilton 26
David Eastman 27
Kevin McCabe 30
Mike Cronk 36
The Alaska Outdoor Council recommends support for the following candidates for Alaska State House who did not serve in the 32nd Legislature.
House District
Craig Johnson 10
Kathy Henslee 13
Liz Vazquez 16
Dan Saddler 24
Rod Arno is the executive director of Alaska Outdoor Council. To see how you can get involved, contact the group here.
