Election time sees candidates out and about speaking to constituents lobbying for support and their vote. Republican candidates Tuckerman Babcock and Jesse Bjorkman were featured guests for the Alaska State Senate Luncheon Forum. The Joint Chamber Luncheon was held at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center.
Both candidates, along with nonpartisan Andy Cizek are campaigning for the State Senate District D seat currently held by Senate President Peter Micicche, who is choosing not to run for re-election. The candidates were given time to introduce themselves and answer prepared questions submitted by members of the community. The joint chamber luncheon was hosted by KSRM’s Merrill Sikorski.
In establishing priorities, Bjorkman said:
“We have to have fiscal stability in this state. We need a plan going forward that does not tax hardworking Alaskans, but it also needs to deliver core necessary services in a very efficient way. We need to provide for safe roads, troopers and prisons that keep bad guys locked up when they deserve to be there. We need or people to be safe as they live and work and play here on the Kenai Peninsula. Finally, my next priority is to increase standards for our students in schools and provide an excellent education for every student every day.”
Babcock said:
“The fiscal plan is the first top priority. The second is every law, every regulation, every action of the legislature is either increasing or decreasing your freedom – Your freedom to operate as individuals. Your freedom to operate as a business. After 40 years of being involved in civic affairs, my focus is on every bill on every regulation on every action the legislature takes to increase your personal freedom, to increase the freedom of your business to operate, and to increase the opportunity for your children and grandchildren to have economically fruitful lives in Alaska.”
The questions ranged from Ranked Choice Voting, the Constitutional Convention, loyalty oaths in the executive branch, developing a plan for fiscal stability, the AK LNG project, reopening the local office for childcare assistance, and education funding.
Bjorkman, Babcock and nonpartisan candidate Andy Cizek, who was not at the forum, all will appear on the November General Ballot, where the winner will be determined through Ranked Choice Voting.
Listen to audio from Chamber Forum
