Alaska’s open seat for US House of Representatives, after the passing of long time Rep. Don Young has attracted a number of contenders.
There are apparently six Democrats in the tally of 51 names filed by deadline on April 1st.
Update: 3 dropped out by Monday’s deadline to drop. So 48 names will appear on the ballot.
Lot’s of good options here, but we need at least one to rise to top to make the four candidate list for the general in this special election to be held August 16 at the same time as the primary for regular election with the general being November 8.
Peltola has filed for both seats..the temporary ending in January and the final for the two-year term beginning in January 2023.
This story provides some excellent background about this candidate, who should have broad appeal across the state.
My excitement for her stems from her being an Alaska Native, a good responsive person, a Democrat, and an advocate for sustainable fisheries. She also has bi-partisan cred.
This story provides a more complete background for her:
www.kyuk.org/…
Subsistence salmon fishing in the Yukon-Kuskowkim Delta, where Peltola lives, has become increasingly restricted as Chinook and Chum salmon runs have dropped, cutting off a primary food source for residents.
Peltola wants to amend the Magnuson-Stevens Act to protect subsistence and personal use fishing. She also wants to impose stricter limits on bycatch in trawl fisheries.
The Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, which Peltola serves as Executive Director, formed a coalition with 118 tribes across Western Alaska that petitioned the U.S. Department of Commerce to eliminate Chinook salmon bycatch in the Bering Sea and to cap Chum salmon bycatch. The department denied the petition.
Peltola also wants to amend the Magnuson-Stevens Act to make federal fishery managers more responsive to ecosystem changes.
“If you are a person that believes that we are witnessing an ecosystem collapse both in the Bering Sea and our river system, we do feel there is a need for adaptive management and pivoting when we need to pivot,” Peltola said.
Though it’s tempting to focus on Palin and Santa Claus here in KOS country, Kossocks can do far more good by helping to feature the best candidates for this soon to be voted on primary in Alaska, June 11. This will be a mail-in or drop box at early voting areas in Alaska. All Alaskans registered by May 13th will receive a ballot by mail with names of all candidates in alphabetical order by last name. Voting for more than one candidate in the primary will invalidate the ballot. It will not be counted.