Surrounded by candidates who plan on joining the House or Senate majorities if they get elected, Republican House District 34 candidate Jerry Nankervis offered a contrary viewpoint at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce’s Legislative Forum on Thursday.<\/p>\n
“I am the only Republican running in Juneau,” Nankervis said. “I am the only one that’s going to be inside that Republican caucus advocating for Juneau. There is no one else. A vote for me is like an insurance policy, paid for by the voters who choose to elect me.”<\/p>\n
House District 33 Candidates Chris Dimond (an independent) and Sara Hannan (a Democrat) would join the Alaska House Majority, as would Nankervis’ opponent Andi Story. Senate District Q candidates Don Etheridge (an independent) and Jesse Kiehl (a Democrat) would join theirs as well. All of them were present at Thursday’s forum.<\/p>\n
The two independent candidates both talked about why they would be in their majorities. Dimond said Juneau deserves the strongest vote possible in the Legislature. Etheridge pointed out that with none of the three current members of Juneau’s legislative coalition (Reps. Sam Kito and Justin Parish and Sen. Dennis Egan, all Democrats) running for re-election, it’s important for voters to know where the two independent candidates could land.<\/p>\n
“If I win, I’m going to be in the majority,” Etheridge said. “I’ve already been invited in. I think that’s important, seeing how Juneau’s going to wind up with three brand-new people up there. I think it’s important that somebody be in the majority to make sure that we get what we need and that our voices are heard in caucuses that are in control.”<\/p>\n
A packed house at the Moose Lodge took it all in, exchanging glances and taking notes as the candidates ran through a variety of topics that included public safety, an income tax, the Juneau Access project and more.<\/p>\n