During Thursday’s “Debate for the State” on Alaska Public Media, races for U.S. House and Senate took on very different tones.
In the House race, Republican incumbent Don Young held up his years of experience and familiarity with the federal government as some of his strongest assets.
But those were exactly what Democrat Steve Lindbeck, a former general manager of Alaska Public Media, went after. During his chance to ask a question, Lindbeck dug in on Young’s record.
“You’ve been investigated by the FBI, you were reprimanded only two years ago by the House Ethics Committee, you’ve broken federal ethics disclosure rules for a long time now, if you’re re-elected how could Alaskans possibly believe that the next two years will be any different?” Lindbeck asked.
Young batted away the question, saying the only people interested in the issue were his political opponents, not constituents. Young noted the FBI closed its case without charging him. As for the ethics reprimand for accepting improper gifts, Young says his lawyer told him he could have beaten the charge, but it would have cost too much.
It was a rare spark in otherwise cordial debate. Young, Lindbeck, as well as the two other candidates, Libertarian Jim McDermott and independent Bernie Souphanavong, were amiable, even amid huge differences in their stances on the Arctic, the economy and immigration.
Even on the divisive topic of transgender bathroom access, a political flash-point both locally and nationally, Young and the others were largely on the same page.
“I’m not sure the federal government has a role in this, but they’re going to pursue it, the Supreme Court’ll make that decision,” Young said. “But there’s a lot of other serious problems occurring in this country right today, and remember, everybody uses the same bathroom in your home.”
After the House debate, the four candidates running for U.S. Senate had their chance to make a case to Alaskans ahead of Election Day. And things were much less diplomatic, with candidates talking over one-another and frequently going out of their way to take digs at opponents.
Incumbent Republican Lisa Murkowski caught criticisms from both sides, from the right by Libertarian Joe Miller, and from the left by independent Margaret Stock.
For example, both challenged Murkowski over her response to the nomination of judge Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court.
“He has suggested that somehow or another I have supported Merrick Garland,” Murkowski said, referring to comments from Miller. “We haven’t had an opportunity to weigh-in on Merrick Garland. So I just want to make sure that people understand that what I supported was a process that allows–”
“I’m not sure you can have it both ways,” Miller interjected.
“You can absolutely have it both ways,” Murkowski shot back as moderators steered the conversation back on course.
Candidates’ answers ran the ideological gamut, from extremely conservative, to populist progressive platforms, like Democratic nominee Ray Metcalfe’s call for a public option in healthcare.
The focus throughout the Senate debate was much more national in it’s scope than the preceding House debate.
State and federal elections are this Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Zachariah Hughes reports on city & state politics, arts & culture, drugs, and military affairs in Anchorage and South Central Alaska.
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