KSRM aired an exclusive joint Soldotna / Kenai Chamber of Commerce forum on Wednesday featuring the two leading candidates for Alaska’s single at-large U.S. House seat: incumbent Republican Don Young and independent challenger Alyse Galvin.
Congressman Young was asked what it takes to be an effective member of Congress as Alaska’s sole representative in the House, challenging Galvin’s status as an independent to allow her to be as effective as he has been in Congress: “There’s no such thing as an ‘independent Democrat.’ That’s like a two-tailed monkey. They have two tails so they can’t get up the tree to pick the banana, so it doesn’t work. Either you’re a Democrat or you’re a Republican. It’s that simple. Everybody knows, I’ve been so effective. I’ve continued to be effective. If you look at what’s happened in these past two years, I’ve actually had six bills come out of committee, I’ve had two bills that have gone to the Senate, and one has become law.”
Galvin then responded by addressing her ability to lead, with closer ties to Alaska than Young, without any dirty laundry to prevent her from being effective, as well as more recent ties to the state: “I have not termed out of any positions or had any ethics violations that would keep me away from that, and I would also be serving as an independent for Alaska in the majority. That’s going to be really important for Alaska since we only have one voice. We really need to have somebody in there who is a champion for Alaska, knows it well, has lived here recently, appreciates the nuances of the 21st century, somebody who is a good communicator, and able to advocate.”
Several times throughout the forum, Congressman Young referred to the Democratic Party as “the party my opponent belongs to,” which directly goes against Galvin’s registration as an independent. She will be on the ballot as the nominee who won the Democratic Primary, but is not a registered Democrat.
Both candidates were asked about the opening of ANWR by the Trump administration, and Galvin committed that she will fight for this resource to be utilized – claiming she would have more sway on Democrats than a “dusty” member of Congress: “I would be the most effective candidate to minimize the risk and to stop such actions [environmental actions being stopped by Democrats]. Think about it: who would have more sway on the caucus – a dusty minority member who calls them all Socialists, or an independent member of the caucus who tells them how Alaska does things right, and how much our schools, our kids, and our elders depend on responsible oil and gas development to survive? There’s no question about it: I would be far more effective in moving that caucus.”
Young responded to the ANWR question, claiming that Galvin was dishonest in her answer: “In fact, she has said that she would support the repeal of the Trump tax cuts. In that tax cut bill was ANWR. So that means she’s against ANWR. She can say all she wants, but the truth of the matter is that she’s against ANWR.”
Galvin offered a rebuttal: “I want to remind my opponent that I have always supported oil development at ANWR. Please, stop the false accusations and scare tactics. It’s just not a good way to campaign. You’re better than that! It really should be beneath at 47-year incumbent.”
When asked about Pebble Mine, Young claimed to be in favor of exploration, but that it should be up to the state to make the decision. Galvin said that Alaska is lucky to have this “crown jewel” of a mineral resource, but that it is not worth impacting the Bristol Bay fishery to pursue Pebble.
When it come to a second federal stimulus package for COVID-19, Congressman Young said that Republicans want a smaller bill that goes directly to businesses, while Democrats want a bill that is too large. Galvin said that the entire economy is suffering and that she is disappointed in Congressional leadership for not already offering the entire nation a shot in the arm of support: “I’m concerned that, hearing my opponent seem to throw in the towel on something that is this important [broad COVID relief], I will never give up the fight for what is needed.”
When asked about what is causing the heavy division within America right now, Young exclusively blamed Democrats, again alluding to Galvin being affiliated with the Democratic party: “The group that someone’s running with very frankly wanted Hillary Clinton to be elected and they failed. They have attacked this President over and over and over again. They have not tried to solve the problems of this country. If you want you get back together, just shut off all the media, but that’s not gonna happen, I know that. There is a feeling out there that everybody’s mad at everybody, and that shouldn’t be! We should go forth and do what we can do to be together. We’re not doing that. A lot of it, very frankly, is the constant bombardment of negative news. I’ve always said that President Trump is condemned for everything!”
Galvin used Young’s response as an example of why the nation is so divided: “Like many Alaskans, I reached a breaking point with the hyper-partisan shouting disabling our elected officials. It’s creating a logjam. I saw them making decisions to please their party-bosses and ignoring the needs of the people. That’s not Alaskan.”
With regards to tax policies going forward, Young said he “strongly” supports the Trump tax plan. He claimed not to believe in a federal redistribution of wealth, saying that a vote for “Sleepy Joe” [Biden] will perpetuate that ideal. Galvin responded by reiterating that the state cannot afford to raise taxes on working Alaskans, but that she supports closing corporate loopholes and tax giveaways to millionaires and billionaires.
In closing, Young relied on his long record in Congress as a nonpartisan legislator. Galvin closed by recognizing the Kenai as a vital part of Alaska’s economy, claiming she will fight in the best interest of the area.