Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Member Jesse Bjorkman representing District 3 – Nikiski, announced his intention to challenge for the Senate District D seat encompassing the central Kenai Peninsula, including Nikiski, Hope, and Moose Pass, currently held by incumbent Senate President Peter Micciche.
The Republican candidate spoke with KSRM saying:
“I’m running for the Alaska State Senate to ensure that the Kenai Peninsula is represented in the legislature by someone who is responsive and has a proven track record of providing results for working families. The Kenai Peninsula must be a great place for folks of all ages to live, work, and play. To achieve this goal, we need a growing economy that supports freedom loving, hardworking, Alaska families. Alaska’s roads, communities, and schools need to be safe, effective, and accountable.
Bjorkman said that Alaska’s economy needs to be free to ensure future opportunities:
“While I fight for the success of working families in Alaska, I also will work hard to secure robust oil industry and promote clean extraction of critical minerals through mining. Alaska must find ways to add value to our resources, grow our economy and support good jobs for hard working Alaskans. I believe that Alaska’s leaders must value maximum personal liberty and the responsibilities that accompany it.”
Bjorkman promotes his track record as assembly member:
“While on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly, I’ve sponsored and passed legislation that made borough elections more secure and transparent. I also fought to protect your second amendment rights by declaring the Kenai Peninsula Borough a second amendment sanctuary. I oppose vaccine mandates and battled to reduce the size and scope of government.
Bjorkman mentions how he advocated to reopen schools and relieve COVID-19 restrictions during the 2020-2021 school year:
“I spearheaded community meeting successfully rallying the public to fight to get our kids back in school. While some politicians were loud in their ineffective threats and harangues, I was able to deliver results. In partnership with some commonsense schoolboard members, we got kids back in class in person before many other school districts in Alaska and other parts of the country.”
Bjorkman says he filed his letter of intent Thursday night. He joins incumbent Senate President Peter Micciche and Tuckerman Babcock who both are certified candidates with the Alaska Division of Elections in the race for District D.