By TUCKERMAN BABCOCK
No transformation has been more profound than that of Sen. Cathy Giessel of south Anchorage.
Once upon a time, she was pro-life, pro-resource development, pro-PFD, foe of big labor and prototype Republican. Her metamorphosis has shed all but the empty label “Republican.”
What is the new Giessel?
Death to the PFD; death by abortion; death by taxes/regulation to business; and new best buddies with big labor (who now fund her campaigns).
She holds joint fundraisers with Democrats to raise money to defeat Republicans. She joined the Democrats as soon as she was elected. She was elected with 34% of the vote (due to the weird workings of rank voting – which she loves).
When someone does a 100% about-face, they owe an explanation. But there is none from Giessel.
The best explanation seems to be a personal lust for power, revenge of perceived personal slights and generally instability. I think we all remember her unexplained rabid opposition to the appointment of Rep. Laddie Shaw to the State Senate. Inexcusable, unjustifiable and inexplicable … but typical Giessel.
She is not on the ballot in 2024, so voters will have to wait until 2026 to rid themselves of this basket case. But she does have new “best friends” in the State Senate.
Most are Democrats. This election only one Democrat is in a serious race — incumbent Democrat Sen. Scott Kawasaki who is facing a spirited challenge from an excellent candidate, Republican Leslie Wein Hajdukovich.
Giessel’s wants power, craves power, lusts for her old title, “Senate President.” Never mind that hers was the most dysfunctional and mean-spirited tenure in State history. That is what she wants.
So who are these “Republican” candidates Giessel needs elected? Coincidentally the same ones being funded by Outside big labor bosses: Senators Jesse Bjorkman of Nikiski and Kelly Merrick of Eagle River.
Voters do have better choices: Experienced, proven conservatives: Ben Carpenter, running against Bjorkman and Jared Goecker, running against Merrick.
The decision is yours.
Electing those three challengers will tip the Senate and keep Giessel the “weasel” on the back bench, where she belongs and will deny the big labor bosses the control they crave of our Legislature.
Donate and vote. The choice is yours.
Tuckerman Babcock is the former chairman of the Alaska Republican Party, 2016-2018. He lives in Soldotna.
