One of the frustrating things we conservatives put up with are electing our candidates to the legislature, giving them a majority, and having them organize with the other party.
Two years ago, we were treated to former Republicans Gabrielle LeDoux, Paul Seaton, and Louise Stutes (Kodiak) organizing with an 18-seat democrat minority elected in November 2016, giving them control of the House by a single vote.
In return, House democrats stood idly by for the politicization of the PFD, waged jihad on the oil and natural gas producers, did everything humanly possible to fend off budget cuts, tried to raise all manner of taxes, including several attempts at an income tax, and presided over one of the worst state economies since the late 1980s.
Did they cause everything? Probably not. But they put people in charge who made everything worse, breaking the first rule of holes: When you find yourself in one, quit digging.
So now that we have this concern, as we approach the primary campaign for the August primary election, who else is considering such a move?
While I have not personally asked these candidates what their intentions are, the following is based on my observations and concern I have come across since the first of the year.
Jennifer Johnston (Republican, District 28, Anchorage). She spent three terms in the Anchorage Assembly before being elected to the House. She was a strong fiscal conservative. She was not conservative in social issues. This may or may not be a problem depending on your point of view. My experience with her has been someone who will give a straight response to a question and generally tells you what she is going to do before she does it.
Gary Knopp (Republican, District 30, Kenai). I know Gary Knopp least well of the three. There was concern two years ago that he would choose to organize with democrats. Best I can tell, that concern has not abated. He participated in Adam Wool’s hijack of SB 76, the update of state alcohol laws, Title 4. Wool, a bar owner, used the amendment process to harm the businesses of craft, artisan and micro-breweries he believed were competing with his Fairbanks-based business. For some reason Rep. Knopp went along with the fun.
Chuck Kopp (Republican, District 24, Anchorage). Attended a community forum in Kodiak with Rep Louise Stutes among other democrats last August. Was the only Republican to attend. Works well with democrat Matt Claman on crime issues. Points out that close relationship. Finally, he appeared interested in expanding the scope of HB 75, the House majority’s attempt at gun grabbing following the Parkland school shooting. Is this playing too closely with the democrat majority? Don’t know, though your mileage may vary.
In my experience during the political wars, the best example of someone who switched parties and did it the right way was Phil Gramm, former US Senator from Texas. Gramm was elected to congress as a democrat in 1980. He worked closely with the Reagan administration on fiscal issues. He was thrown off the House Budget Committee shortly after his reelection in 1982. In response, he resigned his seat in the House in January 1983 and ran for reelection as a Republican in a special election he won rather handily in February. He was elected to the US Senate as a Republican in 1984.
Message to any current Republican who has thoughts about handing power to democrats: Perhaps you are in the wrong party. It is better to make that decision before you file for office when you choose the appropriate party to run in.
Voters in all districts ought to ask their candidate of choice who they plan on organizing with upon being elected, and that answer ought to inform at some level your vote in the primary. And that question should be asked well before the primary election in August. Failure to get a straight answer for whatever reason should tell you everything you want to know.
Alex Gimarc lives in Anchorage since retiring from the military in 1997. His interests include science and technology, environment, energy, economics, military affairs, fishing and disabilities policies. His weekly column “Interesting Items” is a summary of news stories with substantive Alaska-themed topics. He is a small business owner and Information Technology professional.
